MAYFIELD Garden is set to become an artistic and entertainment hub with the wider community to benefit from a huge line-up of events.
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The expansive 160 acre (64 hectares) garden located near Oberon is widely known as one of the world’s largest privately-owned cool climate gardens.
Since 2014, the garden has been open to the public 365 days a year, but events have been few and far between.
But now, more than 100 events have been booked in to take place at the spectacular setting, including four huge signature events this year.
In charge of the garden’s new direction is Hamish Keith.
The Bathurst born man was working in event production, strategy and marketing in New York when he received a call from Mayfield Garden owner Garrick Hawkins who offered him the job as the garden’s new chief executive officer.
Now, living back in Bathurst, Mr Keith said he was excited about Mayfield Garden’s future, and said 2017 will be the year the garden’s reputation spreads much further than ever before.
“He doesn’t want it to be a profitable business, he wants it to be self-sustainable into the future,” Mr Keith said of the owner’s vision.
It is a mind-blowing spectacular garden, but it needs to become a destination.
- Mayfield Garden chief executive officer Hamish Keith
To kick-off the garden’s new direction, a fun run was held on January 1 with more than 200 people taking part.
Next, will be a two-week long Summer Festival that commences on January 14, and that Mr Keith said was just the beginning of a huge year for the garden.
“It is a mind-blowing spectacular garden, but it needs to become a destination,” he said.
“There will be 100 experiences in 2017 and 2018, including events and workshops.
“We’re trying to make an array of experiences on a daily basis.
“We’ve got the team to do it and we’ve got the venue.”
For the four signature events, Mr Keith said one will be held each season.
“The first one is a White Party on February 25. Everyone will be asked to wear white, we’ll have long tables down the alley of flame trees,” he said.
Entry includes a feast of local food, wine and entertainment.
Autumn Fest is on April 30 and will feature a host of music acts including well-known Australian singer James Reyne as the headline act.
The Winter Festival will be held from July 15-30, followed by a Cool Climate Wine and Food Festival on October 21.
The garden’s cafe, which opened in 2014, has recently been expanded and now employs two of Bathurst’s top chefs – Heath Smith and Dan Child.