They may be “newbies” to town but Harcourt’s Ruth and Phillip Hay have wasted no time leaping right into the life of the local community.
In fact the couple that shifted from Melton in February 2020, have just been crowned this year’s Harcourt Applefest royalty.
“Do you know anyone who can say no to George?” replied the newly crowned King Phillip, when asked why he and Ruth decided to volunteer for the 30-year-old annual festival’s most majestic roles.
“And we were also happy to do it, of course, although they won’t let me execute anyone,” mused the newly crowed monarch as he printed off a copy of his and Queen Ruth’s Right Royal duties for the annual fest that’s set for March 12 – fingers crossed and COVID willing.
“I was chuffed that newbies like us could be considered for the roles,” said Queen Ruth noting that their duties include acting as ambassadors for the fest, attending the Harcourt Art Show opening event on Friday March 11, and plenty of regal hobnobbing.
“We must mingle,” Queen Ruth declared.
“But I think the main thing is to bring awareness to those outside the region of what Harcourt has to offer. It’s such a valley of produce.”
Queen Ruth, a recently retired graphic designer and packaging expert who worked on many of the nation’s big-name product brands, and King Phillip, a retired industrial chemist, said that in making their treechange to Harcourt after 38 years of residing at Melton, they had fulfilled a long-held dream.
“When we married 44 years ago we always had a dream of a house in the country,” Queen Ruth said.
“But children and jobs got in the way.”
The freshly-crowned couple subscribe to the view that newcomers should be on the front foot when it comes to becoming part of their new community, and to practice what they preach, they’ve already signed on for quite a bit, making contact with the Harcourt Progress Association and joining the Harcourt Bowling Club as social members.
Queen Ruth also volunteers through CHIRP as a nordic pole walking instructor while King Phillip has become a Castlemaine Rotarian.
While last year’s Applefest had to be pared down due to COVID, the event’s chairman George Milford said preparations for this year’s fest were well advanced.
“It’s going great guns,” he said.
“We’re anticipating a larger market than we had last year and this time we’ll also have alcohol available on the day so you can have a cider, local wine or craft beer.
“And the apple pie eating competition will be back, and we’ll have live entertainment on stage, and we’re also introducing something new, which is pre-paid premium produce hampers featuring all the best from the Harcourt Valley, that people will be able to order and pick up on the day.”
