The Hunter Valley village of Broke, nestling in the Wollombi Valley and home to fine wines and great food, celebrates 200 years in 2024.
The highlight of Broke’s Bicentennial 2024 will be Back to Broke weekend 11-13 October, when Broke’s widely spread diaspora of farming families and village residents come together to share, celebrate, reunite, revisit its historic buildings and make merry. Costumes, events, music and food will mark the day. A Spirit of the Vine Dinner at Margan’s Winery will mark the start of the weekend.
Founded by the Blaxland family, worked by convict labour, a part of the Great North Road, Broke was a 19th Century droving stopover, a 20th century dairying community and, in the 21st Century, is a recognised wine region with its own terroir and distinctive award-winning wines (the best in the Hunter in 2023). A Little Bit of Broke will be one of the first Bicentennial events, the Broke Bicentennial Village Fair and Vintage Car Display, which is celebrating 40 years in September, will precede the October reunions.
Broke, which suffered a devastating flood less than two years ago, with families still waiting for repairs or rebuilding, is remembering its history with an exhibition of historic photos, recorded histories from past and present. The community plans to illuminate Yellow Rock, the dominant crag overlooking the village, steeped in First Nations stories.
A village walk (sadly the last pub closed in 1932) will be another weekend activity, a time capsule from last century will be opened and updated with the stories of today. Among organisations supporting the event are Bulga Coal, Singleton Council and BrokeFordwich Wine Tourism Association.
Contact: Dain Simpson, coordinator dain.simpson@gmail.com| 0416 025 274
