1st January 2007:

Welcome to the updated Ithacan website. It's still a work in progress. We would be very grateful for any suggestions, corrections, additions and ideas as to how we can make it better. Contact us at website@ithaca.org.au.

16th January 2007:

A group of Melbourne Ithacans are readying themselves, packing their bags and checking the weather in Nothern Victoria prior to their departure on Saturday morning for Echuca. They are looking forward to a relaxing weekend, a flutter on the pokies, a cruise on the Murray and a BBQ lunch on its banks. Photos and anecdotes to follow...

22nd January 2007:

An excited group of Ithacans and friends assembled outside the clubrooms early on the morning of Saturday 20th January 2007 ready for a two day bus trip to Echuca. After a short wait, they departed Melbourne at 7.30 am heading north. The coach captain John, ably assisted by Mary (who is also his helpmate in real life) entertained the passengers as the bus wended its way up the Calder Highway through to Kyneton where it was intended to have morning tea. However the caf? owners must have heard the Ithacans were coming and all the shops were shut tight.

Consequently, Ithacans et al continued on to Bendigo where they enjoyed the hospitality there and also took the opportunity to stretch their legs and check out the shopping. Bendigo during the mining boom had 477 hotels to cater for the gold-seekers who flocked from around the world, including Ithaca, to try their luck in the gold fields. So, the Ithacan connection extends to Bendigo. We, fortuitously, had brought the rain with us and accordingly, the umbrella department in Myer, Bendigo did a roaring trade as many passengers had neglected to include these items to their luggage.

The bus then took off for Echuca/Moama stopping off at the Moama RSL for lunch. There some members of the group lunched and did a spot of investing (at the pokies). The others however, saved their appetites (and money) for dinner and more pokies in the evening.

The coach then took the group to check into the Hopwood Gardens Motor Inn on the outskirts of Echuca and they had some free time to freshen up and prepare for the evening’s entertainment. Come 5.30 pm and the bus picked up the tourists and went on to the Moama Sports Club for dinner, then onto the Moama Bowling Club. There, everyone was catered for with banks of gaming machines, a piano bar, coffee lounge and live music and dancing. Then off to the motel to get some sleep and wake up refreshed and ready for the next day’s activities.

After a buffet breakfast, all luggage safely tucked up on board, the bus made a quick tour of Echuca and the group had some free time to browse around the shopping centre. Some people shopped, some sampled the famous vanilla slices at the Beechworth Bakery, some listened to the live Irish band, some played the pokies and others explored the old Port of Echuca. Echuca was once Australia’s largest inland port at 1.2km long and it is now the home of the world’s largest collection of paddlesteamers and offers a unique insight into our pioneering past. In the middle of the19th century paddlesteamers ferried people and goods all through the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee River system to Echuca, the closest point to Melbourne in the Murray.

Just before 12 o’clock, everyone ambled down to the port where they boarded the paddle boat, the Pride of the Murray. This boat claims a proud title, as of the many boats originally built in Echuca, she still operates from her home port. Today she spends her days providing pleasure and a heritage experience for visitors and on this particular day for the Ithacans. Once on board, all settled in to enjoy the boat trip, the scenery and the views of the paddleboats moored on the banks. Then a delightful buffet meal was served and after a really relaxing cruise, the happy group disembarked and were confronted by a spectacular sight. A vast flock of white cockatoos flew overhead – it was almost like a scene from Hitchcock’s “THE BIRDS”!

The coach then started making its way back to Melbourne. Stopping at the Bendigo pottery, the group watched a potter and work and made several purchases. They also sampled the Australian olive oil.

Next came Bendigo and the Golden Dragon Chinese Dragon Museum. The group split up again, some taking tea in the Chinese Tea Rooms, some sauntered into the city for coffee and a small group decided to take a guided tour around the Museum. It was of interest to note that this building was built by a Greek, Harry Harlambou! Chinese heritage has been an integral part of Bendigo's cultural life and the museum is a living history of the Chinese people of Bendigo from the goldrush days of the 1850’s to the present day. Central to the permanent display is Sun Loong the longest imperial dragon in the world (over 100 metres)‚ Loong the oldest imperial dragon in the world and their accompanying regalia – previously only viewed by visitors to Bendigo’s Easter Fair‚ but now available to the public all year round. The tour, led by Russell Jack (whose ancestors had come from China in the mid-1800s), also took in the serene Yi Yuan Gardens. The gardens feature pools and wall murals, also statues of the Taoist Eight Immortals, one of the most popular subjects of representation in China. Together they represent different conditions of life, poverty, wealth, aristocracy, common man, age, youth, masculinity and femininity. The immortals encourage laughter and banish care and help to enliven the struggle for existence. Finally the group visited the Kuan Yin Temple. Kuan Yin (The Goddess of Mercy) is the most popular goddess associated with Buddhism in China and many Asian countries today. She is worshipped as the protector of families and the household, especially women and children.

Off again and after one more stop, at a roadside stall selling apples, cherries, tomatoes, eggs and other goodies, the bus was at last on the last stage of its journey. And so around 7.00 pm, it was a tired but happy group that disembarked in Elizabeth Street to be greeted by loved ones coming to pick them up. A great time was had by all. For more photos, click HERE.

8th February 2007:

The new year of bingo at our club began today. Check out the dates by clicking here and make sure you don't miss out on the chance to be the first to yell BINGO!

12th February 2007:

One of our talented young members, Georgia Metaxas, is holding a photographic exhibition developed in conjunction with Angela Costi.

The exhibition opens 19th February 2007. Opening Hours are 6pm to 8pm at the Manningham Gallery, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster (Melways reference 33F12) and admission is free.

The exhibition explores the diverse cultural and social backgrounds of the women of Manningham.

1st April 2007:

On Sunday 1 April 2007 at our clubrooms, some 150 Ithacans and friends rolled up for the Annual Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal. Hot Cross Buns were the order of the day plus lots of yummy sausage rolls, tiropittes etc and lots of sweets. Money collected for the appeal came to over $5,000 and we still have donations coming in. Some more snaps taken on the day can be found here.