Ballingup Small Farm Field Day

Our "Food for Thought" bus tours are of approximately one hour's duration. Each tour has a host on board to provide you with information. Buses depart from the south east corner of the grounds (near Walter St. Bridge). Tickets are $8 for an adult and $4 for a child. Bookings open at 9.00 am. Be early, as tours fill quickly!! Tour details and departure times will be available at the booking tent.

Tour 1 - The Real Tree Change: Visit Brian and Debbie who, in the last year, sold up everything in Perth and purchased Balingup Heights, one of Balingup's fabulous accommodation venues with breathtaking views. Hear about their wonderful journey and their plans for the future.

Next visit Bec & Darren.  Oh how life has changed for the two prominent WA chefs.  Now there's acreage, buffalos, llamas, one child under two and another on the way!

Tour 2 - Sustainability: Solar energy, self-shearing sheep, permaculture, persimmon orchard and even a bamboo farm, are all enticing aspects of these two properties.  What ideas will you take away to help you tread lightly on the earth?

Tour 3 - Outside the Square: In 1983 the Origins property was generously donated to a local WA group interested in Buddhist ideas and practices. Although retreats and Buddhist study groups have always been held here, it has now evolved into a universal, inclusive, and practical place seeking to contribute to the common good.

Tour 4 - Burning Issues:  First visit the Balingup Small Tree Farm to learn about, amongst other things, fire retardant trees and the hosts' study into the local, devastating, 2009 bushfires.  It's then on to "Lallawoon", a property where many of these principles (including fire breaks using fire retardant trees) have been put into practice (this tour will be of approx. 1.5 hours).

For more information on tours - go to departure area. There you will find photographs and descriptions of the properties posted on display boards.

• Sheep Shearing - watch local shearer John Bignell demonstrate this essential farming practice.
• Chainsaw Sculpturing - watch Tony Davis, chainsaw sculptor, in action.
• Heavy Horses - see them doing traditional mouldboard ploughing.
• Sheep Dogs - watch yard-dogs working under the direction of Don Robertson.
• Giant Pumpkins - local Primary Schools competing against professionals for the Custom Composts prize.

A FORUM FOR SMALL FARM INFORMATION

At the Black Stump

(located in Fleece Street)

The Soil Sisters

Sabrina Hahn and Andrea Whitely will be speaking on gardening topics, and available to answer your questions.

Caralyn Lagrange - author of "Gardening and Eating for Living"

Caralyn will talk on Sunburnt Country to Food Forests and Aquatic Food Gardens, as well as Food Ecosystems - Starting a Patch from Scratch.

Also: Free water-quality testing available at the nearby Land Care tent.

Bush Poetry Recitations

Listen to Ron Evans and his Bush Mate reciting poems.

A great variety of entertainment is on this year’s programme, at times to be announced on the day. These include:

MUSIC:  

Deb ‘Spoons' Perry - runner-up in Australia's Got Talent.

Manjimup District Jazz Ensemble - local musicians sharing the enjoyment of playing music.

Chad Richardson - fine young guitarist / vocalist.

Chris Edmondson - guitarist / vocalist.

Balingup Primary School Junior Choir - performing classic hits of the 20^th century.

Also, look out for the wandering performers, J O'B Biscuit and Mark Graham, as well as the Talison sandpit and play trucks for the younger kids (near the climbing wall).

ROCK CLIMBING:

Take up the challenge and learn to rock climb on the climbing wall under the careful guidance of the Scouts Association.

 The three fashion parades on the day are a very popular part of the field day entertainment. Showcasing a range of smart casual clothing from Trigz Boutique, Donnybrook, and finishing with a finale of exquisite alpaca knit-wear and 100% cotton product from Jalbrook Alpaca Knitwear, Balingup.