NEWS DESK Agriopportunity WOMEN with an interest in sustainable agriculture are invited to develop their knowledge and share their stories by taking part in a two-year focus group run by the Port Phillip & Westernport Catchment Management Authority. The opportunity is open to all women involved in sustainable agriculture from around Western Port and the Mornington Peninsula. The group will focus on developing broader networks and encouraging women to speak outside their communities on sustainable agriculture and opportunities for sustainable food production. Kicking off the program will be a two-day workshop in September, facilitated by Jenny O’Sullivan of Linking Environment, Agriculture and People, followed by a series of workshops, farm walks and other activities. PPWCMA’s sustainable land management coordinator, Sarah Halligan, said it was a great opportunity for women in the Western Port region to get together, share their knowledge and experiences and help promote the benefits of sustainable agriculture. “There is currently little support for women in the sustainable agriculture field and it is anticipated that the development of this group will help to fill that void and provide a much needed network for women in Western Port.” Interested women should complete an Expression of Interest Form, which can be found at www.ppwcma.vic. gov.au/publications/publications.aspx. For more information, contact Sarah Halligan on 8781 7908 or email sarah.halligan@ppwcma.vic.gov.au
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Mornington News 14 June 2016
Judges reserve praise for winning wines THE judges presented 21 trophies to wineries from the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and even Italy at last week’s International Cool Climate Wine Show at Mornington Racing Club. Of the 400-odd entries, 80 came from the peninsula and, of the 21 trophy awards, seven went to peninsula wineries. Two successful peninsula wineries were Elgee Park and Tucks Ridge estates, which won inaugural perpetual trophies: Elgee Park for its Family Reserve Chardonnay 2015 and Tucks Ridge for its Buckle Pinot Noir 2013 wine. In her show comments, chief judge and master of wine Meg Brodtmann praised the high quality of wines. The mayor Cr Graham Pittock said the peninsula’s wine industry had grown in significance and highlighted its importance in promoting the region. Management committee chair Kevin Wyatt said was “thrilled” that wine industry people from Tasmania and South Australia had flown in for the show. Other peninsula wine winners were Red Hill Estate’s Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014, Foxeys Hangout’s Best Pinot Gris 2015 and Bittern Estate’s Bittern Estate Rosé 2015.
Bottoms up: Ashley Brewer and Michael Kyberd with their award winning wine. Elgee Park’s Judy Gifford and Laurence Tedesco celebrate at Merricks General Store. Pictures: Gary Sissons