President Kevin said: "General Manager, Daniel Johnson will address us in a most entertaining way to reveal how the Estate has been transformed to preserve its historical significance.
This is to be a Partner's Day at Coombe, Healesville. Our special meeting at The Melba Estate offers the privilege of inspecting Dame Nellie’s home as well as the springtime garden tour, gallery and then a delicious lunch.
And there is a big connection between Dame Nellie’s father and our Sir John Monash which will also be revealed. So, for those members and their partners who are able to attend this special event, there will be a further communication next week with the TryBooking link. We will be assembling at 10.30am and our luncheon still concludes at 2pm.
For those who are unable to attend, they can have a week off but please recognise that this is a never to be repeated event."
BIT OF BACKGROUND
Once the home of world famous opera singer Dame Nellie Melba, Coombe Yarra Valley is one of the most unique gourmet and cultural destinations in the world.
Situated among seven acres of stunning landscaped gardens, the estate offers a world-class dining experience; award-winning estate grown Coombe Farm wines a stroll through the Melba gallery; Providore store and guided garden tour.
Helen ‘Nellie’ Porter Mitchell or Dame Nellie Melba is fondly remembered as Australia’s most famous operatic diva.
Born on the 19th May 1861, Melba was the first Australian to achieve international recognition as a classical musician. At the height of her success she was said to be the most famous woman in the world.
Melba trained and performed in Melbourne before moving to Europe in search of a career in singing. She studied in Paris in 1886, and worked successfully in Brussels before establishing herself as the leading lyric soprano at Covent Garden, London in 1888. She then performed in most European cities before debuting at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1893.
During the First World War, Melba raised large sums for war charities and she was an enormous supporter of all facets of the arts.
Known for her flamboyance and impeccable sense of style, her friends included famous artists, actors and royalty. The celebrated French chef Escoffier is a noted friend, who famously created the dessert Peach Melba in her honour.
She returned to Australia regularly after she built Coombe Cottage in 1912 and was active in the teaching of singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium. She continued to sing until the last months of her life, making a legendary number of ‘farewell’ appearances until her death in 1931.
