DESCENDANTS OF THE  WORLD OLDEST VINE  AUSTRALIAN STORY 2010    

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:
                - Asst. Prof. Stanko Vršic, Ph. D.
                - M. Sc. Janez Valdhuber
                - M. Sc. Borut Pulko
                - Peter Kramer
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:

Consulate General of The Republic of Slovenia for NSW

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

Mayor City of Maribor Franc Kangler
Mayor Shire Yarra Ranges Len Cox
Vinko Rizmal, Cr Noel Cliff,
Max McWilliams
Australian Oldest  Vine custodian 2001-2010
Vinko Rizmal, David Braybrook –
Swinburne University Viticulture Coordinator
M. Sc. Borut Pulko; M. Sc. Janez Valdhuber

University of Maribor, Faculty for Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences – Meranovo

Peter Kramer
University of Maribor, Faculty for Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences – Meranovo

University of Maribor, Faculty for Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences – Meranovo

Asst. Prof. Stanko Vršic, Ph. D.

University of Maribor, Faculty for Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences – Meranovo


Vinko Rizmal, David Braybrook – 
Swinburne University Deparftment for Viticulture Coordinator

 David Braybrook, Ross Farnell-Executive Director Burrinja Cultural Centre 
Behind Burrinja centre work in progress
Vinko Rizmal, Ross Farnell, David Braybrook, assessing the Burrinja Cultural Centre for the best position for our descendants of the Oldest vines

Burrinja Cultural Centre, a new home for descendants of the World Oldest vine from Maribor, Slovenia

05.05.10 Cuttings from the Old vine from McWilliams property handed over to David Braybrook coordinator for viticulture and Andrew Hughes nursery manager at Swinburne University of Technology TAFE

Those where the days…2001-2009…After 9 sucsesfull Oldest vine Festivals at the McWilliams Lillydale Estate, orginisers are looking for new directions with Oldest vine project in Australia…