Australia has over 136,000 farms and with years of drought and increasing international competition, Australian farmers have had it tough in recent times. 2012 brings hope and the opportunity for new beginnings as it is The Year of the Farmer. The weekend of May 26-27 2012 in particular is when celebrations will be most prominent. While that may spell a calendar full of town dinners, and presentations from governmental figures for farming communities it is also a good excuse for urban dwellers to embrace the fine resources of Australia and embrace the clean open country air. Take advantage of Belle Property’s guide to getting involved in The Year of the Farmer with three different and enjoyable experiences to choose from in Queensland.
TAKE A WEEKEND AWAY
Why not take a slow paced weekend away on the Sunshine Coast’s Jacaranda Creek property. The 23-acre working cattle farm (located 15 minutes from Noosa) is popular with international and local tourists wishing to experience the outback without having to wander too far from the coast. The grand homestead provides a cozy bed and breakfast atmosphere with luxury amenities, featuring tennis courts and a heated swimming pool. The famous Eumundi Markets are only minutes away by foot and feature fresh local produce and homemade cosmetics and craft stalls. For weekend stay specials and booking information go to www.jacarandacreek.com.au.
VISIT A COUNTRY FAIR
The Ipswich Show is the type of event that brings the country soul out of a town. It’s a great experience for all with rides and show bags for the young and wood chopping competitions and cooking demonstrations for older tastes. The Ipswich Miss Showgirl winner will also be presented to the town as is show tradition. The farming community presence will be particularly relevant in the fresh produce competitions and agriculture displays. The annually held show is on the weekend of the 18-20th May 2012 and tickets can be purchased at the entrance gates. Go to www.ipswichshow.com.au to find out further details.
ENTER A PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
If you think of yourself as quite the shutterbug then you should enter the Fairfax Media and Elders Australian Year of the Farmer Photo Competition. The competition aims to encourage people from all over Australia to take advantage of the vast beauty and varied landscapes that our country has to offer. The competition has been open since January 2012 and will continue until September 20th 2012. Monthly winners are announced and are rewarded with $500 worth of camera equipment while a grand prize will be announced on the completion of the competition with $10,000 worth of equipment up for grabs.
Take advantage of the opportunity to create beautiful images while winning some great prizes along the way!
More information the photography competition and all of the events mentioned in this article is available via the Year of the Farmer website www.yearofthefarmer.com.au.
