Apple growing history on show in Stanley

AN EXHIBITION ‘Apple Days of Stanley’ launched at the village’s community hub (Stanley State School) showcases more than 100 years of apple growing history. Organised by the Friends of the Stanley Athenaeum, member Valerie Privett said in the early days transitioning from gold mining to farming was a natural choice with the cool climate ideal for apple growing. “In its heyday apple orchards flourished from around the flat areas of Stanley and along the Myrtleford Road,” she said. Valerie said apple grower Peter Chambeyron from Europa Gully Orchard was guest speaker while WAW’s Ross Kearney opened the exhibition. “Peter’s ancestors came from France in the goldrush days where he has the last Chambeyron orchard,” she said. Snowline Fruits’ Henry Hilton, who has been growing apples in Stanley for more than 50 years, also delivered an account of apple growing history. Among exhibition features, apple sheds, old pieces of equipment, an old wooden picker's ladder made by Peter and Joe Chambeyron’s brother Tony and bags used by apple pickers are on show. “There is a lot of history with many families featured from the early days of apple growing and roads have been named after them,” Valerie said. Organisers estimated the opening two weeks ago drew around 35 people. The ‘Apple Days of Stanley’ exhibition about orchards, architecture, varieties, and growers, as well as depicting the trials and tribulations of orchardists with the vagaries of seasonal and climate changes, the markets and international events will be on show until June 30 next year. Opening times are Monday to Fridays from 8.30am -11.30am, Wednesdays from 8.30am - 10.30 am, and 4.00pm - 6.00pm, and Saturdays from 9.00am - 11.00 am.

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