Walhalla

In 1907, Walhalla's sporting community extended a cordial invitation to the gentlemen of the Melbourne Cricket Club to play a match on our hallowed turf gravel. It's probably best if we don't dwell too much on the result of that match (well, all right -- the tourists beat us by the narrowest of margins ... something like a mere 233 for 7 declared to our team being all out for 133), but a grand time was certainly had by all ...
A 20/20 limited-overs game is being supported by the Melbourne Cricket Club, Walhalla Mountain Rivers Tourism Association, and Baw Baw Shire Council.
The ground opens at 10 am with pre-match entertainment before the match begins at 1 pm. Access to the cricket ground will be restricted to authorised vehicles only, but when you arrive at Walhalla, attendants will assist with directions to: Car parking; The free shuttle bus to the foot of the track for a 30-minute walk to the ground; or The alternative 4WD taxi service to the ground.

Well, La Trobe Valley City Band was the pre-match entertainment - they were short of a cornet or two or three or four - so I got a phone call saying could I help out? So, who would say no to a day out in the country and a centenary cricket match celebration. Let me assure you I did not do the 30 minute walk to the ground - I opted for the alternative 4WD taxi service to the ground - hence the picture - yes I sat in the back of this with my cornet case wedged firmly between my feet. Now Walhalla is one road in and one road out - the track [?] to the cricket ground is exactly the same - which is great when you meet a taxi coming down while you are going up and they will pass each other in just the right spot - with just the right amount of maneuvering - who needs that coat of paint anyway?
All in all it was great fun - we set up and played for the next hour or so - finishing off with The National Anthem after the cannon shot - then a grand fanfare as the players entered the field - then packed up and headed down the hill for lunch under the Rotunda - going down was definitely worse than going up - or was it just the different driver?

All in all a great day! Met lots of lovely people - enjoyed the celebration - and got a band practice in as well - lots of great sight reading - and a choice of parts to play - 2nd cornet, flugel horn or Repriano - depending on which was more necessary - sometimes a mixture - but all good practice!

So if you want to visit an historical town check out Walhalla! It has lots of interesting things to do - train ride - mine tour - cemetery - old buildings etc.....