Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced the Victorian Coalition Government would provide funding of $3,000 for the Glenrowan Winemakers’ Weekend and $4,500 for the La Dolce Vita festival.
Dr Sykes said the funding was part of the Coalition Government’s ongoing commitment to regional Victoria and to developing tourism throughout north east Victoria.
Speaking in Parliament this week, Dr Sykes said north east Victoria is a great place to live, work and raise a family and that events such as these are what helps to make the region so liveable and attractive to tourists.
The Glenrowan Winemakers’ Weekend in early October showcases the finest local, seasonal produce and wines and includes dinner on Saturday evening, wine tastings at participating wineries, a delicious gourmet Sunday breakfast and guided walks in the Ovens Warby National Park.
Dr Sykes said, “This is a fantastic weekend highlighting the best food and wine on offer in the Glenrowan region.”
The La Dolce Vita Festival is a springtime celebration where people can enjoy a wonderful weekend of Mediterranean al fresco indulgence in the spectacular King Valley.
“Spring is a great time of year to visit the King Valley and sample its diverse wines and gourmet food,” Dr Sykes said.
Funding to support these two events is provided through the State Government’s Victoria Events Program which assists with tourism marketing and event delivery and development.
Dr Sykes said, “I have discussed the importance of promoting north east Victoria as a tourist destination with the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Louise Asher and I am very pleased that she continues to be committed to developing our regional tourism industry.
“This week in Parliament I also requested the Minister confirm funding for the popular Kangaroo Hoppet at Falls Creek in August and I am delighted that the Minister has provided $10,000 for the event.”
Dr Sykes concluded, “The latest National Visitor Survey results found tourism in regional Victoria continues to grow. In the year ending December 2011 domestic overnight expenditure in regional Victoria increased 6.5 per cent to $4.2 billion.
“The continued support by the Coalition Government for events throughout the Benalla Electorate will have ongoing benefits for our local communities and businesses.”

The Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes this week highlighted the many attractions and events being held throughout north east Victoria in the lead up to and including the Queen’s Birthday long weekend.
Dr Sykes said, “There are many exciting events coming up in north-eastern Victoria, and I encourage all Victorians to come and enjoy them.
“This weekend Myrtleford will host La Fiera, a festival which celebrates the area's rich local Italian heritage.
“On the Queen's Birthday weekend we will celebrate snow season openings at Falls Creek, Mount Hotham, Dinner Plain, Mount Buller, Mount Stirling and Lake Mountain.
“We also have many enjoyable activities in the low country, with wine and food events galore. These include a winery walkabout in the alpine valleys which will involve visits to Michelini Wines, Boynton's Feathertop Winery and Bogong Estate, while the Glenrowan wine region will feature local wines and foods and Ned Kelly history.
“Participating wineries include Morrisons, the Auldstone Cellars, Silent Range Estate and Booth's Taminick Cellars.
“The Winton Motor Raceway will host round 2 of the Victorian motor championships.
“Goorambat will be home to an art show featuring the works of local artists including Louise Carlisle, Julie Stevens and Aaron Scotts.
“For those wanting to enjoy some physical exercise, we have a magnificent rail trail in the Ovens Valley and the new, 134-kilometre Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail.
“Alexandra will host a fantastic truck, ute and rod show. Other wineries worth visiting include Kinloch Wines and the Delatite Winery in the upper Goulburn region and many more in the Strathbogie and Nagambie wine regions, including the Fowles, Maygars Hill, Mitchelton and Tahbilk wineries.
Last but not least, the King Valley is open, featuring wineries such as King River Estate, Dal Zotto, Boggy Creek Vineyards, Pizzini, Gracebrook Vineyards and King Valley Cucina, which also hosts the King Valley Art Show.
Dr Sykes concluded, “North-eastern Victoria is a truly great place to live, work and raise a family - see you there!”

Australia’s premier long distance cross-country ski race will benefit from $10,000 funding from the Victorian Coalition Government through Tourism Victoria’s Events Program.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the Kangaroo Hoppet continued to generate significant overnight visitation to Falls Creek.
“An impressive 1,000 competitors from more than 20 countries participated in last year’s race which is an outstanding result and demonstrates the widespread appeal of Victoria’s High Country,” Ms Asher said.
The 42 kilometre race is a part of the Worldloppet, a union of the most significant cross country ski races in the world, and is complemented by the shorter 21 kilometre Australian Birkebeiner and seven kilometre Joey Hoppet race.
“As the only southern hemisphere event in the 15 nation Worldloppet cross country ski series, this event is a terrific branding opportunity to position Victoria as the premier alpine destination in Australia,” Ms Asher said.
Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said Falls Creek was one of the most popular winter playgrounds in the country, offering a mountain village experience in a uniquely Australian setting.
“As the opening event of the 2012/13 Worldloppet series, the Kangaroo Hoppet showcases the picturesque High Country and with the three race options, encourages participation from all ages and levels of ability,” Dr Sykes said.
“With visitors from Europe and North America attending last year’s event, the wide variety of activities on offer prior to the main race will entice our international and interstate visitors to spend more time in the High Country, which is good news for local businesses.”
The Victorian Coalition Government, through Tourism Victoria, is partner of the 2012 Ski Winter Co-operative Marketing Program through the Board for Alpine Resorts Tourism (BART).
Comprising the five Victorian Alpine Resort Management Boards and Tourism Victoria, BART promotes Victoria’s snowfields as an integral part of Victoria’s tourism offering.
With a range of related sport and social events in Falls Creek and Mount Beauty in the lead-up to the event, the Kangaroo Hoppet aligns with BART’s strategy to broaden the appeal of Victoria’s snowfields beyond the action on the slopes.
Mountain villages such as Falls Creek offer a range of activities including hiking, cross-country and downhill mountain biking, horse riding, day spas and high quality restaurants and accommodation.
The 2012 Kangaroo Hoppet will be held in Falls Creek on 25 August 2012.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes today opened a $3.5 million project that will pave the way for future growth in tourism and private sector development in Nagambie.
Representing Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan, Dr Sykes said the Nagambie Revitalisation Project had redeveloped public open space around Nagambie Lakes and linked major new private sector development with the town.
“The upgrade, involving ‘on land’ and ‘over water’ infrastructure has connected Nagambie’s main commercial precinct with the new multi-million dollar lakeside residential precinct currently under construction,” Dr Sykes said.
“A key element of the project was directing lakeside residents, holidaymakers, as well as park and lake users to Nagambie’s commercial centre through the use of a convenient and attractive pathway.
“The works covered Jacobsons Outlook, Blaney Reserve, Buckley Park and jetty and the Lakeside connectivity path.”
Minister Ryan said that by linking the town to its major tourism asset, the project would attract tourists and private sector development.
“The Nagambie Revitalisation Project was identified as a high priority in the Nagambie Growth Management Plan, which aims to create an environment that acts a catalyst for new investment in the region,” Mr Ryan said.
“The adjacent Elloura development currently underway at a cost of a $175 million over five years is likely to create 50 to 60 jobs during the construction phase as well as providing flow-on employment in the hospitality, accommodation and commercial services sectors.”
Mr Ryan said the Victorian Government, through Regional Development Victoria, provided Strathbogie Council with $2.385 million towards the Nagambie Revitalisation Project, and council contributed $100,000.
Other funding partners included Elloura developer the Lockland Group, which contributed $1 million towards public access infrastructure, and Marine Victoria ($30,000).

Three significant events in the Benalla Electorate have received a share of $72,500 from the Victorian Coalition Government under the latest round of the Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP).
Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed funding for the Audax Alpine Classic, Bike Buller MTB Festival and Weekend Fit For A King.
Dr Sykes said, “Audax Alpine Classic will receive $4,000 to undertake international marketing for this exciting event. This major cycling festival includes various competition rides between Bright to Mount Buffalo and over its 28 years of operation has gone from strength to strength.”
Mr Phil Bellette from the Audax Australian Cycling Club has welcomed the funding.
“It is good that this State Government accepts cycle tourism is sustainable and has provided funding to help market the event which attracts more than 2,500 participants and many more family and friends.”
Dr Sykes said the Bike Buller MTB Festival will receive $4,000 to help with event marketing.
“This event, held in the Mount Buller High Country, incorporates mountain bike races of various lengths and styles and has enjoyed increasing participation numbers since it commenced.”
Race Director and one of the most accomplished adventure racers in the world, John Jacoby welcomed the funding and said, “The biggest change is the event has been moved to the March long weekend next year and will go over three days as well as being incorporated into the famous Picnic In The Park festival at Mirrimbah.
“The funding will be used to market the event to entice non Mountain bike riders to participate in activities.”
Weekend Fit For A King will receive $2,500 to help with marketing the popular food and wine event.
Dr Sykes said, “This annual food and wine festival showcases the fantastic wineries and food in the King Valley which provides a significant boost for the local economy bringing in more than $700,000 in direct spending. June is also a beautiful of year to visit this region.”
Wines of the King Valley Inc’s Mr Kevin Bascombe said he was delighted to receive the State Government grant.
“This provides us with the opportunity to create significant marketing opportunities and to increase 2011’s 3,000 wine and food visitors who attended the event.”
The Victorian Coalition Government will continue to develop regional events as they play an important part in driving tourism, investment attraction and job creation.
The Country Victoria Events Program provides up to $10,000 per event to assist with tourism marketing and event delivery. Closing dates for applications are April 1 and October 1 annually. For more information on CVEP funding visit www.visitvictoria.com

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes today announced details of a regional final, to be held in Benalla, as part of the annual FReeZA Battle of the Bands Competition.
Held in nine locations across Victoria, the finals form part of the Victorian Government’s $2.4 million annual funding of the FReeZA program.
Dr Sykes said, “The regional final in Benalla will be held on Friday 4 November at the Benalla Town Hall.
“I am very pleased to see some home grown talent in the line-up with Benalla band, The Wayfares making it through to the regional finals.”
2011 has seen unprecedented participation with 59 heat events held in the lead up to the FReeZA Regional Finals. These will showcase the talents of 43 bands that have won local heats. The nine winners from each region will go on to play at the Grand Final as part of the Push Over Festival in March 2012.
Dr Sykes said, “I am sure the The Wayfares will put on an impressive performance and I wish them well in the competition.”
Other bands competing in the Benalla Regional Final include Audacity (Numurkah), Forbidden Burning (Chiltern) and Pete Jones (Rutherglen). Further bands are yet to be announced.
Each band that progresses to the Grand Final will compete for the major prize which includes studio time with engineers, 500 copies of the band’s recording, a photo shoot, music equipment and media exposure.
This year’s finalists will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of successful FReeZA performers such as Killing Heidi, The Vasco Era, Kisschasy, Michael Paynter and Neon Love who all went on the sign record deals.
For more information visit www.freeza.vic.gov.au.
All FReeZA events are fully supervised and 100 per cent drug, alcohol and smoke free.

Euroa and Myrtleford Agricultural and Pastoral Societies are two of 55 Agricultural Societies across Victoria who have received funding from the Department of Primary Industries Agricultural and Pastoral Grants Program to support their local shows.
The Euroa Agricultural Society has been granted $5,416 to upgrade the power supply and lighting at the showground.
Neville Mawson, President of the Euroa Agricultural Society said the fund would be a tremendous help.
“We will use the funding to provide power to the sheep pavilion and lighting in the cattle pavilion as well as upgrading the infrastructure where the power is housed. These upgrades will enable us to provide top quality power to user groups and the show society.”
$4,381 has been granted to the Myrtleford and District Agricultural Society to purchase a PA system for the showground.
President of the Myrtleford and District Agricultural Society Basil Kneebone said, “This funding is good news and means everything because we can now communicate with visitors and exhibitors at the show without having to hire a PA system each year. The PA system will also be able to be used at other events held at the grounds.”
Dr Sykes said, “I am very pleased that we have been able to support both Euroa and Myrtleford Agricultural Societies so that they can continue their valuable work and contribution to their local communities.”
Dr Sykes said that projects such as these are important as they contribute to ensuring the ongoing viability of local shows.
“Our local Agricultural Shows are an integral part of many of our rural communities and it is important that we, as the Victorian Government, do what we can to support their activities.
“Both Euroa and Myrtleford will hold their annual show on October 22 and I am looking forward to attending both as well as officiating at the Friday night opening of the Euroa Show on Friday 14 October.”
Dr Sykes said he was also proud to support the Benalla Spring Show as a gold sponsor which celebrates its 129th show this year on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 October.
“I also hope to be able to attend the Alexandra Show on Saturday 12 November and the Mansfield Show on Saturday 19 November.”

The Victorian Coalition Government is backing north east Victoria’s tourism industry with plans to hold an open day each year at Fisheries Victoria’s fish hatchery at Snobs Creek.

Member for Benalla Bill Sykes said the annual open day would be held each year on the first weekend of September to coincide with the opening of trout season.

“The open day will provide an opportunity for Victorian families to see first hand what is involved at Snobs Creek’s world class fish production facilities,” Dr Sykes said.

“We envisage the open day will help to draw extra visitors to the region to boost the regional tourism industry and provide added stimulus to the local economy.”

The Snobs Creek hatchery was expanded earlier this year with the addition of a $1.9 million native fish production facility to significantly boost native fish numbers and the reliability of their supply.

“The open day will give visitors a fascinating insight into these facilities and the role they play in stocking Victoria’s lakes, rivers and reservoirs with native fish and other species such as trout,” Dr Sykes said.

The Victorian Coalition Government has also made a commitment to provide items from the former Freshwater Discovery Centre at Snobs Creek of historical interest to the local community.

“Items of historical value to the Eildon community will be provided to either a local historical society or the Murrindindi Shire,” Dr Sykes said.

Agriculture Minister Peter Walsh said the Victorian Government last year stocked a record of more than two million native fish and 706,000 trout and salmon into lakes and rivers to improve inland fishing opportunities for recreational anglers.

Many of those stockings were aimed at supporting the local economy and tourism industry of north east Victoria.

For example, Fisheries Victoria is stocking one million Murray cod into Lake Eildon over three years as a major drawcard for recreational fishers to the area. Earlier this year, 35,000 Murray cod fingerlings were also stocked into the Goulburn River between Seymour and Yea.

“These fish stockings are another the way the Victorian Coalition Government can help the local community recover from the lingering impact of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires as well supporting regional economies more generally,” Mr Walsh said.

Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes has welcomed a visit to the Benalla Electorate by the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security and Water, Peter Walsh on Tuesday 27 September 2011.
At Benalla the Minister will meet with representatives from the Benalla branch of the VFF.
He will then travel to Mansfield to visit the Mansfield Autism Statewide Services centre and is guest speaker at the Mansfield AgFab dinner, an event which has been facilitated by the Mansfield Shire.
Media wishing to cover the Minister’s visit must contact Bill Sykes MP
03 5762 2100.

It is 250 years since the first Veterinary School was established in Lyons, France.
Since that time the veterinary profession has contributed to the health and welfare of both productive and companion animals throughout the world.
In Australia veterinarians have been instrumental in the eradication of diseases such as contagious pleuro pneumonia, tuberculosis and brucellosis.
Veterinarians in Australia have also helped alleviate animals suffering in droughts, bushfires and floods.
These veterinarians have worked as part of a team including animal health officers, other government agency staff, livestock industry and individual livestock and pet owners.
Veterinarians who have made special contributions to animal health and well-being in Australia include Professor Ken Jubb, Professor Doug Blood, Professor Ivan Caple and Dan Flynn and Bryan Rushford.
I and my colleague, the Member for South West Coast are proud to have been associated with these outstanding veterinarians and we learnt much from them.
In Victoria, veterinary practitioners of the 50’s and 60’s such as Doug McAuliffe, Ernie Miles, Jim Howes, Don McFadden, Dusty Rhodes and Bob Knights were legendary for the long hours they spent assisting sick and injured livestock.
As a result their wives and families often missed out on time with their husband and father.
Interestingly the skills required to be a good veterinarian include problem solving and communication. These skills of course are relevant to many professions and community services so not surprisingly veterinarians have often made significant contributions in the broader community - Judith Slocum and Goff Letts being two veterinarians whose contributions to society extends way beyond the practice of veterinary medicine.
Well done to all veterinarians and their wives and families and the many people who have worked with them.