SAATCE - Slovenian Australian Agency for Trading & Cultural Exchange

As presented in Final report for the year 2009, some major changes are in the progress related to the Old vine in Australia.

In the year 2009 McWilliams vinery closed the door for public events at their vineyard estate in Lilydale. Discussions were held with the Shire of Yarra Ranges representatives to decide the new direction for this important gift of the oldest vine in the world from the Mayor of The City of Maribor representing people of Maribor-Slovenia to the Mayor and people of Yarra Ranges, Yarra Valley Victoria.

It was agreed that the vine will be moved from the private property to the public land which belongs to the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Number of venues was considered and finally the chosen place where the Old vine will be placed in 2011 is at Burrinja Cultural centre in Upwey.

At present the work is in the progress at the premises new 400 seats theatre is added to the existing building with many on going activities as it stands.

The moving of the old vine is demanding and requires participation of experts and many vine growing specialist are joining the advisory team involved in the project.

Participating organizations and individuals in the project:

• Shire of Yarra Ranges represented by the Mayor Len Cox and Cr Noel Cliff
• Swinburne University - section for Viticulture represented by coordinator David Braybrook
• Burrinja Cultural Centre - represented by Ross Farnell  Executive Officer
• SAATCE - Represented by Vincenc Vinko Rizmal / Old vine project coordinator
• City of Maribor - represented by the Mayor Franc Kangler
• University of Maribor - Faculty of agriculture and life sciences represented by:

                - Asst. Prof. Stanko Vršic, Ph. D.

                - M. Sc. Janez Valdhuber

                - M. Sc. Borut Pulko

                - Peter Kramer

• Yarra Ranges Estate - represented by Anton Kirchmair.

Preparation work is starting in the year 2010 with a goal to move the old vine to the new venue in the middle of the year 2011, when the Burrinja Cultural Centre's new building and landscape will be completed.

David Braybrook, coordinator of department for Viticulture at Swinburne University in Lilydale will  take care of The Old vine for the Shire of Yarra Ranges in the future.

Supporting organizations:

The Office for Slovenians abroad of the Republic of Slovenia

Slovenian Embassy Canberra

Consulate General of The Republic of Slovenia for NSW

Slovenian Communities around Australia

YARRA RANGES ESTATE

DRMC

Any additional changes and progress of the development of the project will be published on this website as required...

I am grateful to all individuals and orginizations involved in this project to keep this important international project prosper to  gain on importance and building a lasting relationship between the two great winegrowing regions Maribor, Stajerska, Slovenia EU and Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia.

Project coordinator: Vinko Rizmal