In choosing the theme, "Celebrate Creativity" I wish to focus on the magnificent ideas and skills of our craft people, in this the 21st year, of the Tasmanian Craft Fair.

I also wish to highlight in this Centenary Year of Federation, the creative skills of our early settlers. We are planning to replicate a Trappers Hut and an Early Settlers Hut. Community involvement will revolve around the construction and furnishing of these huts, to depict the life style at federation time. 

Community involvement will also feature the generous work of volunteers  in this the International Year of Volunteers. The Tasmanian Craft Fair has its base firmly rooted in the unending generosity of the volunteer service organisation of the Rotary Club of Deloraine and the legions of community volunteers of the other community service clubs such as Lions, Apex, Inner Wheel, Nursing Mothers from the nationally acclaimed community of Deloraine. Without their support there would be no Tasmanian Craft Fair and Tasmanian  Art and Craft  would be very much the poorer indeed.

We certainly have much to celebrate together. So do come and be part of this very special  Celebration . You will be so glad you did .

 The Tasmanian Exhibition has been developed by the Rotary Club of Deloraine over the last three years to help promote innovative craft arts to new and diverse audiences.  Curated by Jenie Thomas of Crafts Arts International, the exhibition is an invitational showcase of acclaimed Tasmanian working artists. Patrons of the Tasmanian Craft Fair – whether members of the general public or commercial art/craft dealers – all have the opportunity to experience work from some of our most outstanding artists. 

The Rotary Club of Deloraine with the assistance of the State Government took a quality selection of this exhibition to Sydney in June as The Tasmanian Collection for Display at the Contemporary Design Expo – Create 2000. This showcased the extremely high quality of our T.C.F. and was considered by the experts, to be an exhibition of excellence and second to none. 

The Award Categories are:

• The Premier's Award for Excellence - Certificate & $1000 cheque; 
• People's Choice Award - Certificate & $500 cheque; 
• Working Exhibit Award - Certificate & $500 cheque; 
• Stand Presentation Award - Certificate,  $250 free advertising  & 1 night's accommodation for 2 people;
• Craft Arts International & T.C.F. Award - Certificate & colour portfolio page in Craft Arts Magazine with professional assistance to value of $500; 
• First Time Exhibition Award - Certificate  & $250 free advertising; 
• Innovative Functional Design - Certificate & $250 cheque;
• Home Craft Award - Certificate & $250 cheque and
• Food & Beverage Award - Certificate & $250 cheque.

The Craft Arts International and T.C.F Award is designed to promote and enhance further professional development of an individual and their craft. Is is a broad based award to assist with a professional public presentation, through a major national magazine. To qualify, an awardee will have to demonstrate a level of excellence, show projection into the broader community and have potential, coupled with flair and innovation.

Judging of Awards will take place on Friday 2rd November. 

Presentation of awards will take place on Saturday, the 3th Nov. at 6 p.m. in the auditorium of the Community Complex (Venue 5). We are very pleased to announce that the State Governor Sir Guy Green and Lady Green, will be in attendance.

The Shipwright's Point School of Wooden Boat Building will conduct a working display within Rotary Park. The School's purpose is to preserve traditional boat building knowledge and skills and to pass them on to a new generation of students. The emphasis is on the use of Tasmania's unique boat building timbers such as Huon, Celery Top and King Billy Pine. Students at the School have built over 40 new wooden boats, ranging in size from 6 to 32 feet.

WIN TV provides the latest in video digital equipment to enable patrons to view, in the comfortable surrounds of Rotary Pavilion, the intricate works of the artist projected upon a large screen, in the intimacy of a private studio. This is a unique opportunity for those who seek to learn the skills and enjoy watching master crafts people at work in a variety of mediums.

The "Tench Pond" in Rotary Park, on the side of the Lake Highway will be established as a put and take fishery. It will be stock progressively over the four days with 300 gram plus Rainbow Trout. Also stocked for capture will be one trophy sized Atlantic Salmon per day. The Deloraine and District Anglers Club will supervise this activity. The Quamby Fly Fisher Club will provide on site fly casting and fly tying tuition. Tassie Tackle and Outdoor will provide a retail display area and also invaluable saltwater and freshwater fishing demonstrations. 

Fashion Parades are held in the WIN TV Room, twice daily.
This is co-ordinating the brilliant displays of the exhibitor's original designed garments and accessories, modelled by more of Deloraine's talented volunteers in excellent and comfortable facilities. This is entertainment plus and an educational opportunity to learn more about art and craft in action.

Mick Quilliam has emerged as one of Tasmania’s leading contemporary aboriginal artists, with his attention to detail and research into his forebear’s techniques and subject mater giving him a rare ability to fuse modern mediums into traditional forms. Mick’s exhibitions are contemporary, extremely vibrant and host a unique compilation of works detailing everyday events and important food and living resources used over thousands of years of habitation in Tasmania.

Mixed Media Productions is an international puppet theatre company comprised of two highly experienced performers, writers & directors, Heidi Callewaert and Thomas Zotz. Since its establishment in 1992, the company has presented 21 large and small scaled theatre works for both adults and children. Thomas and Heidi have conducted numerous workshops and have been involved in several community arts projects.

The Rotary Club of Deloraine wishes to acknowledge the generous support of our many sponsors in particular the support of The Examiner, Win TV and Gunns Limited.