Welcome to the Dookie website.
Dookie is a photographer's and artist's delight. Recognised for its vibrant, distinctive natural features dominated mainly by its three hills, Dookie provides a welcome break from the flat terrain of the Greater Shepparton region. Views of historic Mt Major, Mt Saddleback and Gentle Annie are well worth the drive to Dookie which also boasts rich red volcanic soil instrumental in the diverse agricultural production of the area.
In Spring, the Dookie landscape is ablaze with yellow and green as canola, legume and wheat crops thrive. In Summer the brown of a sunburnt country is evident when these crops are harvested and hundreds of rolls of hay are produced in the district. Autumn is a spectacular patchwork of the red volcanic soil and the green growth of a cooler season. Sheep and cattle graze on this country.
The fertile agricultural land is also home to a number of vineyards, olive groves and a lavender farm. The University of Melbourne's Dookie Campus is an integral part of the community, opening its doors often to visitors and supporting local events and groups.
There is a developing network of walking/riding tracks which encourage passive recreation opportunities including bird watching and gem collecting around the river, creeks and box iron bark forest.
The town's park and gardens feature barbecue and picnic facilities, shaded playground area and toilets making it a very family friendly stop. The CWA Park is home to the historic Chateau Clock, built in 1889.
Surveyed in 1887, Dookie features the historic Cashel (1893) and Dookie (1875) cemeteries and St Mary's Church, built in 1898. The red brick church features stained glass windows from 1911.
With its close proximity to Shepparton, Dookie offers a very attractive day trip and is the gateway to the scenic route to Benalla or Wangaratta.
This website is the work of Lifestyle DOOKIE.
Lifestyle DOOKIE is more than a group of people with a passion for where they live. It is a vision for where this enterprising community is headed and the exciting journey we can all take to get there.
Lifestyle DOOKIE is the inspiration of a group of forward-thinking people devoted to promoting and building on the emerging wine, food and tourism ventures in the district. It's about making Dookie a destination as well as creating the lifestyle sought by those who live in this small country town and district.
We encourage all interested community members to join the activities of Lifestyle DOOKIE. It's a way you can share your ideas about what you want in your town, and together we can make it happen. Lifestyle DOOKIE has a dynamic Business Plan and has some great achievements in its four years of operation:
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Development of a website as a portal to Dookie community, business and sporting organisations
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Improvements to the streetscape
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Community events
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Projects to assist promotion and marketing of Dookie businesses
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Creation of a brand identity through a Dookie Logo and a range of Dookie merchandise
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Securing government funding for local projects.
Participating in Lifestyle DOOKIE doesn't involve regular monthly meetings. We're an action group that responds quickly to ideas and challenges and works in partnership with Council and other groups to make things happen. We would like to hear from you so please contact Virginia Boyd on (03) 5828 9282 or email giniboyd@activ8.net.au. |
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