The foothills of Wandin North hosted community from near and far to celebrate all things against lavender, with damp conditions no deterrent.
A rainy forecast did not deter the annual Wantirna Lavender Festival from going ahead on the weekend of 28- 29 November, with live performances, demonstrations and market stalls to entertain crowds.
In between showers of rain, set to the musical backdrop of a riving trio of bagpipers, attendees explored the grounds, wandering through the flowers, watching dancers from Vicotirian Irish Dance Academy and the Bluefire Belly Dancers, exploring local crafts stalls from wooden to woollen and sampling all things lavender at the farm’s cafe.
In November, the farm’s lavender is harvested in the early morning, by hand, using a traditional sickle, with bunches taken to a drying shed, where they are hung to dry before being stripped on a machine.
Lavender is then used in a number of ways, from oils, soaps, to cooking ingredients and more. Visitors to the festival can always rely on a lavender scone or two.
With some funds raised from the day going towards the local CFA in Wandin and Seville, the farm owner, Anne-marie, planted her first lot of lavender in the area in 1991, gradually expanding to over 10,000 lavender plants and has no plans to slow down anytime soon.
