The Weekly Times Vintage Print early February 2012 series, available through their generosity at the Fair, were definitely popular, with some patrons saying they were already collecting the set and would just collect more.   A few were being sent overseas, some were being made into placemats, and others treasured as a “must have” Australian piece 0f history.  The early era images went every well with displays, especially this fabulous red gramophone from A & A  Collectibles at the Fair, who specialise in them.  Easy to see people of the era of the Weekly Times Annual from 1913 settling back in an armchair to read their copy, and listen to some favourite tunes.  Fair patrons loved stepping back in time, and living with vintage in their homes in modern times.  Having these collectible prints from Weekly Times helped people remember back then…

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright M. Roleff and T. Titshall, 2012

(Vintage Print series copyright and concept remains with Herald and Weekly Times, Limited.)

It was lovely to see Carli and her family come to the Fair, as she was the winner of the prize of two entry tickets via Leah Bell from the stylish Bell’s Belles in Castlemaine.  They enjoyed their day, and Carli wrote a fabulous post about her Fair visit at her blog site Vintage Musings of a Modern Pin Up.  The girls really liked the cup cakes from Fairytale Frostings, who will be doing the High Tea at Maryborough Town Hall for the Autumn Fair on May 13th 2012.  We don’t blame them one bit for being attracted to these cakes, as they are known to be delicious!   Thank you Carli and family for being part of the Fair.  Tiffany of Fanny’s Flat, Talbot, Victoria also held a ticket competition and Miss Lulu Pin Curls won, congratulations to her, but was unable to be there on the day, but she is certain to be there in May, when she can claim her prize entry for two.  We have heard she may also hold a pin curls session at a future fair, which is all a bit exciting!

words: copyright M. Roleff 2012

images: copyright T. Titshall, C. Cluff and M. Roleff cup cakes, 2012

Art of Elegance Fair emerged as a “lovely show” of vintage fashion, high tea and home collectibles, stylish patrons, art, jewellery and bags, just to name a few features.  Movie themes were popular, Yela Brick of Castlemaine did “Wizard of Oz” with a lovely splash of red, Bell’s Belles of Castlemaine did “From Here to Eternity” in fabulous style, and Fanny’s Flat did “Three Coins in the Fountain” with an elegant artistic fountain to dream on. 

Two thousand plus crowds attended the Victorian Goldfields small town of  Dunolly on the day, with 400 people at times coming to see both halls, the Dunolly Town Hall and the St John’s Anglican Hall, and enjoy the Dunolly traders and street market.  Fine weather, not too hot, made it such a treat, and the tea sessions were fully booked in advance from Wright on Broadway.   Next Fair they will be holding their own, and enquiries can be made directly to them at Dunolly for bookings and times.  Antique Flower Vase Display judges were impressed and will take part in an even bigger version next Fair.  We have already outgrown that location, with a line up at the door for most of the morning, so following up on some advance notices, the next Fair for Autumn season is Mother’s Day Sunday May 13th, 2012 at the historic Maryborough Town Hall, Neill Street, Maryborough, Victoria 3465.  Featured will be “Mini Mad Hatter High Tea” by Debbie Chapman of Fairytale Frostings, Nolan Street, Maryborough and more details on this will be available shortly, with some advance bookings already in place from the most recent Fair.   She gave us a glimpse of her cup cakes covered in lovely flowers, and her talent at specialty cakes.  Stay tuned.  She says she will do an “Alice in Wonderland” cup cake theme, with super High Tea fare with a twist, and a lot of fun should be had by all.  Because of this, hats will be mandatory at the Fair, so be sure to wear one.  There will be a prize for the most eye catching style!  Many comments came from near and far about the gracious ladies and gents in their headgear, looking smart, cool and comfortable in the country summer weather, adding glamour to the Fair and the streetscape.   A big thank you to all participants, especially Tiffany, Cal and Jill for doing a great deal of behind the scenes work to keep things on track.  Stallholders, a particular thank you, all, for your commitment and making the look of the Fair so special.  This is the first of the updates, still collecting photos and comments, so visit the blog again, and watch out for the flyer and details, due out next week or two.  Thank you again, one and all, for coming and making this day a special event for Art of Elegance Fair!

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright T. Titshall, 2012

This weekend in the Goldfields, on the way to the Art of Elegance Fair Sunday 12th February, stop off at the Central Goldfields Shire Free Event as part of Summer in the Domain, “Teddy Bear’s Picnic” in Maryborough, right next to the Maryborough Station.  It will run from 10 am – 12 pm, with lots of fun for kids and family, alike.  Bring Teddy and a picnic blanket and take part in the activities, which promise to be lots of fun.   No formal ATM facility as yet, but coming soon, though, at Dunolly, but there are cash out facilities at supermarkets in the town and the like.  Stop by Maryborough, only 15 mins away, where most banks have ATM, or Castlemaine if coming that direction.

Bendigo Advertiser made a lovely tribute to the attraction of vintage themes in the Fair this week, and Tiffany and Cal came up very well having tea against the really special stage backdrop in the Dunolly Town Hall.  Thank you to local Maryborough Advertiser, greatly, for articles in their newspaper, leading up the Fair.  Don’t forget to get your free Weekly Times Vintage Print at the Fair, while stocks last.

A big thank you to Tea Blossoms for providing some gift samples for the Fair.  Take a browse through their website, these are amazing tea treats that bloom, too.  Contact Regina, on (03) 9528 3098 for advice on what tea to try, and where to get these wonderful products.

Also many thanks to Bod Skin Care, a brand new range of all natural beauty products, whose samples have been kindly supplied by Health Mania, 61 Nolan Street, Maryborough, Victoria for the Fair patrons.

See all this, and much more at the Art of Elegance Fair, this Sunday at Dunolly Town Hall and St John’s Anglican Hall Dunolly! 

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright M. Roleff and T. Titshall, 2012

Art of Elegance Fair traders situated in the Dunolly Town Hall are listed here, and will be ready for a great day at the Fair this Sunday 12th February, 2012!  To read more about them click on the links below…

A & A Collectibles – A & A Comley – Maryborough, Victoria

Amaroo – E & M Wytkamp – Maryborough, Victoria

Annie Irish – Artist – Talbot, Victoria

Bell’s Belles – Leah Bell – Castlemaine, Victoria

Byrne Antiques & Collectibles – Bendigo, Victoria

Cadillac Walk – Talbot, Victoria

Corridor Gallery – Talbot, Victoria

Diana B Antiques & Collectibles  – Malmsbury, Victoria

Fairytale Frostings – Maryborough, Victoria

Fanny’s Flat – Talbot, Victoria

Habadash – Castlemaine, Victoria

Hoot Couture – Maryborough, Victoria

Sew What – Maryborough, Victoria

Wear J’a Get That? – Maryborough, Victoria

Wright on Broadway – Dunolly, Victoria

Yela Brick – Castlemaine, Victoria

There will be a 13 seater tourist bus running between Maryborough Information Centre, corner Nolan and Alma Street, Maryborough to the rear of the Dunolly Town Hall on the hour. 

Bus Bookings via (03) 546o 4511.

Venue: Dunolly Town Hall, Broadway, Dunolly, Victoria http://www.visitvictoria.com/Regions/Goldfields/Destinations/Dunolly.aspx (Directions and Map)

Time: Sunday 12th February, 2012 – 11 am till 4 pm.

Entry: $10 per person, under 16 free.  (Booking for High Tea & entry combined $27 per person)  Concession $7 entry, on presentation of relevant card/identification.

St John’s Anglican Hall: corner Market and Thompson Street, Dunolly included in Dunolly Town Hall entry cost, enjoy two venues for the price of one.

High Tea: Seated and served in front hall $20 all inclusive, catered by Fiona Lindsay, Wright on Broadway.   Two sitting times available, 2 pm and 3 pm.  (Reservations for High Tea are required in advance, and spaces are filling up quickly, so be sure to secure your booking with Fiona (03) 5468 1245, at 127 Broadway, Dunolly Vic. 3472. )

Attractions: Dunolly Monthly Street Market 8 am until 2 pm is on same day of weekend, so come early for an authentic market experience.  It is located in Broadway (same as Town Hall), Dunolly and involves the whole main street.

Next Date:  Art of Elegance Fair Autumn, Sunday May 13th, 2012, Maryborough Town Hall, Neill Street, Maryborough Victoria, 3465.  (Further details available at the current Fair.)

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright T. Titshall, 2012

All the Dunolly traders will be open all day, including the Dunolly Bakery, and the market traders will be out and about from 8 am – until 1 pm, with some staying longer. 

The weather will be just perfect for it, mild and fine. 

Don’t forget the extra location of the lovely historic  St John’s Anglican Hall, corner Market and Thompson Streets, just a very short walk from the main Dunolly Town Hall, with these fabulous traders:

In Order of Appearance

Entry Table, Information & Hall History

Centre:

Renegade Photography Vintage Portraits – George Ghio – Bealiba, Victoria

Qualified Photographer George Ghio will capture the vintage portrait souvenir to remember the day.

Left Side:

Fran Burns – Third Street Promenade – Talbot, Victoria

Art cards, collectibles, resort wear, Hollywood themes, and more by Fran Burns.

Silk Flowers – Dawn Egan – Maryborough, Victoria

Beautiful silk flowers in many designs and colours by Dawn Egan.

Victoria Bygone – Joanne O’Flaherty – Maryborough, Victoria

Range of Victorian era high style antiques and collectibles by Joanne O’Flaherty.

Right Side:

Ardyss Body Shapers – Jeanette Tucker – Yarra Glen, Victoria

Foundation garments from Jeanette Tucker to enhance any vintage garment fitting.

Collectibles & Vintage Fabrics – Robin Campbell – Campbell’s Creek, Victoria

Vintage fabrics and wonderful range of collectibles by Robin Campbell.

Directions to Dunolly for travellers from the Official Dunolly Site

Beautiful Card Design “Turkish Delight” by Fran Burns, available at her stall, Third Street Promenade in St John’s Anglican Hall.

See you at the Fair…

There will be a 13 seater tourist bus running between Maryborough Information Centre, corner Nolan and Alma Street, Maryborough to the rear of the Dunolly Town Hall on the hour.  Bookings via (03) 546o 4511.

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright T. Titshall, 2012

The Weekly Times have very kindly supplied the Art of Elegance Fair with some of their Vintage Series Prints as a free gift for patrons.  These authentic nostalgia prints, taken from early era Weekly Times editions and annuals are included, from 1st February until 29th February 2012, in the Weekly Times newspaper.  Collect the whole set of five double sided, large glossy prints and enjoy them, along with the regular editions of the paper.   Many people who love the Weekly Times are attending the Fair, and these vintage images are certain to be popular collector editions.  Visit the Media/Lifestyle table in the Dunolly Town Hall and get your free copy.  A big thank you to those at the Weekly Times who made this possible.  See you at the Fair…

Words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

(Original Print images copyright Weekly Times, exclusively.)

Shirley, Neil and Gary, of Byrne Antiques, are having a dress up for the Fair at their stall, and Diana of Diana B Collectibles is too.  You will find them on the right side of the Main Hall, stocked up with collectibles for High Tea in the grand style, to take you right back into eras gone before.  Diana B is covering the periods from Regency to 1970′s, putting it all together with flair and style, so anyone can travel back into any era that takes their fancy.  She loves Jane Austen’s Regency and who can blame her?  And Byrne Antiques love early cinema, as well as the Victorian era, so it will be interesting to see how they have interpreted these themes.  Mrs Ferber of the Goldfields Victorian era just might even fit them in for afternoon tea…see you at the Fair!

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright M. Roleff and T. Titshall, 2012 (Mrs Ferber of Talbot, late 1800′s.)

Nicole Fornal loves owls, and they are the Victorian era inspiration behind the name of her jewellery works, Hoot Couture, and appear in her designs.  But that’s not to say she only features owls, there are ivory coloured cameos, necklaces and bracelets sparkling with multi- coloured glass crystals, and upbeat Victorian marcasite watches, complete with ribbons and charms.   Nicole hand makes each piece, and sells her designs online.  These pieces are her creations for the vintage themes of the Art of Elegance Fair, and many more designs will also be available.  Visit her creative shopfront space at the Fair, and see these pieces shimmer and shine! 

Hoot Couture Jewellery Design - Nicole Fornal – Maryborough, Victoria, 3465

mobile: 0423 377 950

words: copyright M. Roleff, 2012

images: copyright N. Fornal, 2012

For the best range of antique sewing machines in Victoria and further afield, Wayne and Judi McKail of Sew What at the Maryborough Flour Mill are well known.  People come from all over Australia to visit their museum and sales premises in one.  They are knowledgeable about historic sewing culture and Wayne McKail will even repair and restore them for customers wanting to rejuvenate an old heirloom piece.  Judi can help with the history and indentification of a rare machine, too.  They are taking part in the Art of Elegance Fair, and will have some lovely sewing machines in their trading space on the day, along with other collectibles.  Visit their trading space at the Fair on February 12th!

Wayne and Judi McKail, Maryborough Flour Mill Gallery, Sew What Antique Sewing Machines and Museum,

38 Albert Street, Maryborough Vic. 3465

Mobile: 0419 101 144

Words and Images: copyright M. Roleff, 2011