This was one of the most successful Pioneers Week to date, with each of the events on the calendar attracting great crowds and support from the community.

Among the highlights for the celebrations were the Antiques and Collectables Evaluation Day, which saw The Collectors Auctions conduct more than 200 appraisals, the State Schools Extravaganza where on both nights of the event the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC was close to capacity and the Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tours, which had more than 70 people in attendance.

Other highlights of the week include Opera at Murray Downs Homestead which was sold out and extremely well received by those in attendance, the Beat the Boat Fun Run, which despite the wet morning, had 75 runners participate and the Football Memorabilia Display which saw many people visit the Swan Hill Regional Library to take a trip down memory lane and discover the history of football in the region.

Planning has already begun for next year’s Pioneers Week – the fifth year of the event. So stay tuned for more information and updates for Pioneers Week 2012!

Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Cr Greg Cruickshank will be the guest reader for the session and will choose one story from a selection of pioneer-themed books including Mulga Bill’s Bicycle, Waltzing Matilda and Click Go the Shears.

Following the story, children will also get a chance to join in with some old-fashioned games and colouring in.

While the session is aimed at children aged from three to six years old, all children are welcome to join in.

Story time at the Library will be held at 10.30 am on Wednesday, 10 August and is free to attend.

For more information regarding Pioneers Week Story Time at the Library, please contact the Swan Hill Regional Library on 5036 2480.

Due to the continued and enormous popularity of the event, the State Schools Extravaganza will be held over the two nights to ensure that everyone gets a chance to see these bright stars of the future.

Organiser and Woorinen District Primary School Principal Jodi Walters said she was looking forward to another great event for Pioneers Week 2011.

“Once again the extravaganza will be a spectacular celebration of the talent we have in the region and is an event that is ran by the kids, about the kids and for the kids,” Ms Walters said.

“We have 10 schools across the district joining in this year’s extravaganza for both nights and we have two terrific MCs with students Matt Willox and Emmalee Walters hosting the evening.”

Included in this year’s State Schools Extravaganza are Woorinen District Primary School, Nyah District Primary School, Beverford District Primary School, Ultima Primary School, Lake Boga Primary School, Piangil Primary School, Swan Hill North Primary School, Swan Hill Primary School, Swan Hill Specialist School and Swan Hill College.

“Our stage director for the evening will be Raylene Richardson from Richardson’s Dance Studio, while Peter Holloway will be providing the music for the showcase and Daeanna Sutton will assist with lighting. Swan Hill College students will also be helping with backstage production on the night,” Ms Walters added.

Tickets to the event cost $5.00 for adults and $2.00 per student. Tickets are available through the schools or by ringing Woorinen District Primary School on 5037 6514 to book. Remaining tickets will also be for sale at the door.

A canteen will be available on the night to purchase snacks and drinks.

Featuring premier new events and a return of favourites, the fourth Pioneers Week will bring with it an action-packed weekend full of things to see and do.

Learn more about the fascinating history and lives of Swan Hill’s past residents with tonight’s Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tour, find out the value of that family heirloom at tomorrow’s BBC-style Antiques and Collectables Appraisal Day or challenge the PS Pyap on Sunday with the Beat the Boat Fun Run.

Music and opera fans are going to revel in Saturday night’s black-tie Opera at Murray Downs homestead event, while on Sunday, discover forgotten skills of the past at the Pioneer Settlement’s Rare Trades and Skills Day.

The celebrations continue into next week with Pioneers in Racing this Monday and all the music, dance and drama of the State Schools Extravaganza on Tuesday and Wednesday night, which will see 10 schools from across the region perform on stage at the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC.

On from today until the end of Pioneers Week will be the Local Football Memorabilia display at the Swan Hill Regional Library, while next Wednesday morning the library will be hosting a special Story Time with guest reader Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Cr Greg Cruickshank.

For more information about what’s happening for Pioneers Week, including events for this weekend, please visit the Pioneers Week website at www.pioneersweek.com.au or call the Swan Hill Region Information Centre on 5032 3033 or 1800 625 373.

The Beat the Boat Fun Run will see runners vie to beat the PS Pyap as it makes it way back to the Pioneer Settlement from Murray Downs homestead, with challengers able to choose to take on either a 4.3 km or 6.3 km course.

Whether you are keen to test your fitness or are looking forward to enjoying a scenic stroll – make sure you don’t miss your chance to take part in this fun event for all ages.

Following on from the fun run, participants and visitors are encouraged to stay on at the Pioneer Settlement and enjoy the atmosphere of Rare Trades and Skills Day.

Another popular event that continues to see great crowds come to the settlement, Rare Trades and Skills Day lets you step back in time and witness some of the forgotten skills of yesteryear.

The day will include skills such as rope making, butter churning, wood turning, horse harnessing, printing, spinning, quilting and so much more!

There will also be a steam workshop, cruises on the PS Pyap (including on board entertainment with a river band) at 10.30 am and 2.30 pm, music and plenty to see and do at this terrific family day out – and don’t forget if you’re a local you get free entry into the day.

For further information regarding Rare Trades and Skills Day, please call the Pioneer Settlement on 5036 2410. 

Participants for the Beat the Boat Fun Run can register from 8.00 am at the Pioneer Settlement wharf before boarding the PS Pyap at 8.30 am for Murray Downs.

The cost to enter the fun run is $5.00 for participants aged 16 years and under and $10.00 for adults.

Registration forms are available from the Pioneers Week website or by calling Casey Hovenden on 5036 2333.

This black-tie occasion is one of the premier events for Pioneers Week and will be an exclusive and enjoyable evening, with live entertainment from Voci Classico, three-course meal and a return cruise from the Pioneer Settlement to the Murray Downs homestead on the PS Pyap.

Pioneers Week chairman and Opera at Murray Downs homestead organiser Steve Matthews said the event was set to be a magical evening.

“This is one of the signature events for Pioneers Week 2011 and it is proving to be a great hit with more than 100 tickets already booked for the evening.

“With a number of tickets already sold, there are only limited spaces left so we urge people who haven’t already booked, to give the Swan Hill Region Information Centre a call to make sure you don’t miss out,” Mr Matthews said.

Opera at Murray Downs homestead will take place this Saturday, 6 August with departure from the Pioneer Settlement via the PS Pyap at 6 pm.

The cost for the evening is $80 per person, which includes a three-course meal and return cruise on the PS Pyap. Drinks will be available on the night at bar prices.

To book for this exclusive evening, please call the Swan Hill Region Information Centre on 5036 2444.

For enquiries regarding Opera at Murray Downs homestead, please contact Steve Matthews or Casey Hovenden on 5036 2333.

Guided by the very knowledgeable Shirley and Jan from the Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society, the Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tour is a fresh and new event for the Pioneers Week calendar.

“There is a fascinating history and number of surprising stories about the older generations within the Swan Hill cemetery which a lot of residents nowadays don’t know about,” Swan Hill Genealogical and Historical Society President Shirley Durden said.

“The cemetery provides an important insight into the history of our region, and we are hoping that the tour will be intelligent, informed and most of all, interesting.

“We want people who join us on the tour to come away learning more or something completely new about Swan Hill, its fascinating people and history.”

The Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tour will take place this Friday, 5 August at 6.30 pm, and will start from the Swan Hill Cemetery gate.

 The cost is $5.00, and participants on the tour are asked to BYO torch and ensure they dress warm.

For more information and bookings for the Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tour, please call Shirley on 5033 0336 or Jan on 5032 9271.

Speaking at the official launch of the event this morning at the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC, Swan Hill Rural City Council Mayor Cr Greg Cruickshank said this year’s Pioneers Week was set to be another success. 

“The committee have put together a terrific calendar of events, which sees the return of old favourites and some new premier events that I believe, are certainly going to be great highlights for the celebrations. 

“For example, one of the events that is already getting a lot of interest, is Opera at the Murray Downs homestead on the Saturday night of Pioneers Week, which is sure to be a very special evening,” Cr Cruickshank said. 

Cr Cuickshank also thanked the sponsors for Pioneers Week 2011, including Regional Development Victoria and Swan Hill Inc. 

“Both Swan Hill Inc and Regional Development Victoria have provided outstanding support for Pioneers Week since its beginning and it is this support that helps ensure the event continues to be a success.” 

A wide variety of events are set to be part of this year’s festival including: 

• Pioneers Week local football memorabilia display (from the 5 August for the duration of Pioneers Week)
• Torchlight historical cemetery tour (Friday, 5 August)
• Opera at Murray Downs homestead (Saturday, 6 August)
• Pioneers Week Antiques and Collectables Appraisal Day (6 August)
• Speewa Heritage Collectors Club car boot sale and family fun day (6 August)
• Beat the Boat Fun Run (7 August)
• Rare Trades and Skills Day (7 August)
• Pioneers Week Legends Game (7 August)
• Pioneers in Racing (8 August)
• State Schools Extravaganza (9 and 10 August)
• Story Time at the Library (10 August) 

More information and updates regarding events for Pioneers Week 2011 can be found at the Pioneers Week website at www.pioneersweek.com.au or call the Swan Hill Region Information Centre on 5032 3033 or 1800 625 373.

Pioneers Week 2011 is supported by Regional Development Victoria, Swan Hill Incorporated and Swan Hill Rural City Council.

Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of what is an exclusive and new event for the Pioneers Week calendar.

The evening includes a return cruise on the PS Pyap from the Pioneer Settlement, three-course meal and of course, sensational entertainment from Voci Classico.

To secure your spot to this event, make sure you book your tickets now through the Swan Hill Region Information Centre on (03) 5036 2444.

For more information regarding this exclusive evening, please contact Steve Matthews or Casey Hovenden on (03) 5036 2333.

Event details:

Date: Saturday, 6 August

Location: Depart from the wharf at the Pioneer Settlement

Time: 6 pm to 11 pm

Cost: $80.00 per person. Includes three-course meal and return cruise on the PS Pyap, drinks at bar prices.

Dress: Black Tie

Bookings: Swan Hill Region Information Centre on (03) 5036 2444

Enquiries: Steve Matthews or Casey Hovenden on (03) 5036 2333

The committee has been busily planning the events for the fourth Pioneers Week celebrations, which have now been finalised.

Events on the 2011 Pioneers Week program include: 

• The Torchlight Historical Cemetery Tour
• An exclusive night of opera at the Murray Downs homestead
• An Antiques and Collectables Appraisal Day at the Swan Hill Town Hall PACC (brought to you in the style of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow)
• The Beat the Boat Fun Run
• Rare Trades and Skills Day at the Pioneer Settlement
• The Pioneers Week Legends Game
• Pioneers in Racing
• State Schools Extravaganza (to be held over two nights)
• And more!

 To find out more about these events, including when and where they’ll be held during Pioneers Week, please visit the Pioneers Week Calendar of Events page.