Clare Valley Podcast - Clare Valley Gourmet Week; Working for the Queen Mother; Clare and Gilbert Valleys Housing and Land update

In this latest episode:

All the latest from the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council with CEO Dr Helen Macdonald:

Council deliberating over Draft Budget and Draft Long Term Financial Plan  Update of FOGO Waste - no condemned waste for AprilWater Park at Clare Discovery Caravan Park to be completed by Christmas 2023More volunteers needed at the Riverton Light Gallery

Housing and Land report 

It’s no secret there are no rentals available in the Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council, and if there are, the waiting list is quite significant. There are also very few houses to buy and not much land to develop. Earlier this year the State Government launched its own plan to resolve the housing crisis across South Australia. It's implementing the Office for Regional Housing created with Renewal SA to identify the housing challenges and opportunities in the region and a Key Worker Housing Scheme to help regions that have growth, but nowhere to house workers.

The Clare and Gilbert Valley Council did their own housing report identifying key issues and came up with their own outcomes that need to be addressed. 

In this story you'll hear from Council CEO, Dr Helen Macdonald and  Principal, Ray White Clare Valley, Mark O'Meagher

Crowds peak pre-covid levels at 2023 Clare Valley SCA Gourmet Week

The Clare Valley has been heaving over the past week with all the music, food and wine celebrations for Clare Gourmet Week. Around 8000 people attend Clare Valley Gourmet Festival weekend  with some wineries reporting crowd numbers  back to  pre-covid levels.

I decided to join in the festivities and hit Eldredge Vineyards for its family fun day. Let’s just say everyone was in fine wine spirits and loving the vibe that the Clare Valley Gourmet event brings every year.
In this story you'll hear from: Sky Hopgood, Eldredge Vineyards; Vox pops from the crowd

Cooking for the Queen Mother

The 'Breathe It In' Gourmet Week is in its 3rd year, but  not all of the events involve wine. 

The Curly Goose along with Sawmill Gin offered people an unique experience of a Devonshire G &T – homemade scones served with jam and treats accompanied with tea, coffee or Clare Valley Gins and Cocktails in fine bone China.

Sophie Whitehead is the mistress of all thing’s food, and her husband David is the Gin Distiller.  While on a caravanning holiday around Australia they both arrived in the Clare Valley and spontaneously bought the Curly Goose and transformed it into a Gin space.

A totally different line of work for David  who once was an Executive with Australia Post, and a more subdued approach for Sophie who cheffed for the rich and famous on super yachts and in Sydney mansions. 

Sophie, who’s originally from the UK started out in hospitality working for the Queen Mother at Clarence House, she wanted to channel that experience into their first Gourmet event.
In this story you'll hear from: Sophie Whitehead, Curly Goose/Sawmill Gin

Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council: https://www.claregilbertvalleys.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0026/1345085/17-May-2023-Ordinary-Council-Meeting-Minutes.pdf
Clare Valley Gourmet Week: https://clarevalleygourmet.com.au/
Eldredge Vineyards: https://www.eldredge.com.au/
Curly Goose/Sawmill Gin: https://thecurlygoose.com.au/