Memories of Melba 150th birthday celebrations

To celebrate the 150^th birthday of Dame Nellie Melba on May 19, 2011, the Lilydale & District Historical Society has planned a series of walks, talks and tours in and around Lilydale.

Throughout May

Guided Bus Tours

Throughout May the society and local tour operator Yarra Valley Specialty Tours have combined to offer groups the chance to learn about the local places that played an important part in Melba’s life.

Society tour guides will tell the stories behind places such as Cave Hill Quarry; Coombe Farm Vineyard; Coombe Cottage: St Patrick’s Church; the Athenaeum Theatre; Melba Park; Yarra Ranges Regional Museum and Lilydale Cemetery, Melba’s final resting place.

Tours available weekdays during May include pick up in the metro area, a three-course lunch at York on Lilydale and a tour pamphlet.

Costs

Groups of 15 to 24 people - $63.00 per person

Groups of 25-35 people - $51.00 person

Groups 36-57 people $41.00 per person

Weekend tours departing from the Lilydale Court House are available for $31 a person. Lunch is not included.

For more information and bookings phone Yarra Valley Specialty Tours on 5966 2035.

Sunday, May 1 at 2pm.

Melba and Other Amazing Women tour of Lilydale Cemetery with guide Lorraine Smith

Dame Nellie Melba was in awe of the pioneering spirit of women.  This tour explores the seemingly insurmountable hardship these pioneering women faced.

The tour starts at the entrance at Victoria and Nelson roads, Lilydale. Bookings essential.

Cost:  $10.00 a person and includes tour guide and cemetery book.

Phone: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

Afterwards guests are welcome at the Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale for a cup of tea or coffee.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Wednesday, May 4 at 7pm

The Industrious David Mitchell (Sue Thompson)

Of all his children, Melba was most like David Mitchell. Find out more about the man who built his own empire and then watched his daughter  build her own, but very different empire, on the other side of the world.

The talk will be given at the society’s home, the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale.

Cost: $2 per person, tea and coffee available. Bookings: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Saturday, May 7 at 10 to 11am

Walk in Melba’s Lilydale

Experienced society tour guides will take you for a leisurely Walk in Melba’s Lilydale.

Visit places such as the Athenaeum Theatre, Melba Park and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum.

See also the bell Melba rang to herald in the end of World War I and the site if the old Lilydale band rotunda.

The tours start at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale. Group bookings welcome. Maximum of 15 people per tour guide.

Cost:  $10.00 per person including tour pamphlet.  Morning tea is available for $5.

Bookings essential.  Phone: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Saturday, May 7 at 2pm

Driving Dame Nellie talk

Sue Thompson will give a talk on the cars owned by Dame Nellie Melba in England, America and Australia. Can enthusiast from USA and Australia have helped put together the story of her vehicles and their ultimate fate.

The talk will be given at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale.

Cost: $2 per person, tea and coffee available. Bookings: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Tuesday, May 10 at 2pm

East West Hame’s Best : The Story of Melba’s Coombe Cottage (Sue Thompson)

After years travelling the world, living in hotels or renting homes, in 1909 Melba impulsively bought a home of her own which became Coombe Cottage. Over the years Melba added to the home where she entertained guests from around the world. This is your chance to catch a glimpse of Melba’s life at Coombe Cottage.

The talk will be held at the Lilydale Library, Anderson St, Lilydale. It is free but bookings are essential. Phone: 9294 3120 or book online at www.erl.vic.gov.au

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Wednesday, May 11 at 10am

Walk in Melba’s Lilydale

Experienced society tour guides will take you for a leisurely Walk in Melba’s Lilydale.

Visit places such as the Athenaeum Theatre, Melba Park and Yarra Ranges Regional Museum.

See also the bell Melba rang to herald in the end of World War I and the site if the old Lilydale band rotunda.

The tours start at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale. Group bookings welcome. Maximum of 15 people per tour guide.

Cost:  $10.00 per person including tour pamphlet.  Morning tea is available for $5.

Bookings essential.  Phone: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Sunday, May 15 at  2pm.

Melba and Her Family tour of Lilydale Cemetery with guide Sandy Ross

To Dame Nellie Melba her family meant everything to her. Visit the graves of her parents David and Isabella Mitchell, her siblings and their descendants.

The tour starts at the entrance at Victoria and Nelson roads, Lilydale. Bookings essential.

Cost:  $10.00 a person and includes tour guide and cemetery book.

Phone: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

Afterwards guests are welcome at the Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale for a cup of tea or coffee.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Tuesday, May 17 10 to 4pm

 Memories of Melba Day

Share your memorabilia or your memories at the Lilydale Library. Staff will be present at the Library to photograph memorabilia or record your reminiscences of Melba, her family and friends for the Lilydale Historical Society.

The Lilydale Library is at Anderson Street, Lilydale. Inquiries: Kathy Smalley 9800 6412.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Thursday, May 19 at 1.30pm

Memories of Melba

Members will host a special function in the afternoon from 1.30pm at the Athenaeum Theatre. The function will feature a performance by Stephanie Gibson, a Melba Scholarship winner courtesy the Melba Opera Trust and a special reflection on Melba’s life by Professor Mel Waters, former director of the Melba Conservatorium of Music.

Cost: gold coin donation. Afternoon tea will be provided. As seating is limited, bookings are essential. Call Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Saturday, May 21 at 1pm

Coombe Cottage the Home behind the Hedge and Melba’s Life in Lilydale (Sandy Ross).

From its first owners the home on the corner of Maroondah and Melba highways has been a landmark. When purchased by Melba in 1909 it became Coombe Cottage and today is often referred to as the home behind the hedge. Sandy will trace the history of the home and its development to the present time.

The talk will be held at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella Street, Lilydale. The cost is $2 per person, tea and coffee available. Bookings: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Wednesday, May 25 at 7pm

Melba’s Lasting Legacy (Sue Thompson)

Everyone knows about Melba, Australia’s Queen of Song but Sue Thompson will talk about Melba the artist and businesswoman whose decisions in the early 20^th century are still reaping benefits for today’s artists and performers.

Cost: $2 per person, tea and coffee available.

The talk will be at the Old Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale. The cost is $2 per person, tea and coffee is available. Bookings: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au

Sunday, May 29 at 2pm.

Melba and Her Mates tour of Lilydale Cemetery with guide Keith Lithgow

As a world star and a local resident, Melba inspired many people be they artists, friends or families who worked for her. Learn more about these people and their untiring devotion to the Diva.

The tour starts at the entrance at Victoria and Nelson roads, Lilydale

Bookings essential.

Cost:  $10.00 a person and includes tour guide and cemetery book.

Phone: Lorraine Smith 9735 1104.

Afterwards guests are welcome at the Lilydale Court House, 61 Castella St, Lilydale for a cup of tea or coffee.

For more information go to www.lilydalehistorical.com.au or www.nelliemelbamuseum.com.au