August 30th, 2025Hepburn Festa on its way

The Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa is a community festival which celebrates the enduring contribution of Swiss Italian migrants who came to the Hepburn Springs/Daylesford region during the 1850s gold rush.
These Italian speakers came from the villages and towns on either side of the Swiss Italian border. Into a world of mutton, potatoes and beer, they brought salami, pasta and wine. The early Swiss Italians recognised the quality of the local mineral springs and lobbied to protect them from the destructive practices of the prospectors. They started building stone houses with cellars and wells. They planted grapevines, olive trees and orchards. Australia’s first pasta factory was built in 1859, and still stands in Hepburn Springs.
The Hepburn Swiss Italian Festa was first staged in 1993 and will be held again over three days from October 24 to 26.
Program director Cathy Cole said she was really excited with the new condensed format – thanks to community feedback, which will make sure families can attend all of the exciting events at the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve on Saturday.
“We’re still a three-day format, but the first day is going to be launch events and historical walking tours, and then the second day is our big day, the Carnival Day, with the street parade that everyone loves, and then down at the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve we’ll have live music, and food and artisan markets, the kids’ zone and musical guests, and then we’ll also have the lantern parade and the fireworks.

“On the Sunday we’re going to be running a lot of our off-site activities, our open gardens and historical tours around the Hepburn Shire.”
Cathy, who is new to the committee, said she joined to become more engaged with the community and also has family from Northern Italy – although they arrived in the early 1900s so were not part of the original group of settlers.
“I was drawn to the history of the area and have a very small stake in it. It’s also been really great getting to learn about all the things that I took for granted. There are so many amazing historical sites around the area thanks to the Swiss Italian settlers.”
Cathy said the committee was fantastic and included: Steve Carr – president; Jenny Beacham – vice president; Bree Melotte – co-secretary; Michele Green – co-secretary; Cathy Cole – project manager; Maureen Dean – treasurer; Nick Galik; and committee members Jesse Lubitz, Eddie Beacham and Melissa Togni.

Finally, there’s a teaser: an Italian disco fundraiser planned for late September with DJs who specialise in retro Italian disco from the 70s and 80s.
“We want to see everyone dressed up in their most fabulous outfits and have a bit of a boogie. It will be a lot of fun. Watch this space for where and when.”
Oh, keen to be a festa volunteer? Head to www.swissitalianfesta.com

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: File | Scan the QR code for a parade movie!