Wednesday 10 January 2018
An elected Liberal Nationals government will help Victoria’s High Country communities immortalise their heritage in a new High Country Hall of Fame.
Shadow Minister for Regional Victoria and Decentralisation Peter Walsh will announce the Liberal-Nationals’ commitment at Omeo this weekend at the Mountain Cattlemen’s Association of Victoria Annual Get Together.
“Just as Banjo Patterson immortalised the region in his poem The Man from Snowy River the High Country Hall of Fame will pay tribute to the people and industries that have shaped this unique region’s history” Mr Walsh said.
“The Hall of Fame will preserve and celebrate the High Country’s heritage including the indigenous culture exploration the iconic mountain cattlemen conservation winter sports and other aspects of high country history industry and life.
“It will be another attraction and asset to one of Victoria’s iconic tourism regions.”
The Hall of Fame would be established in close consultation with High Country communities to determine the best location and design for the complex.
“Our plan is for a two-step process” Mr Walsh said.
“Firstly an expressions of interest phase where interested communities can put forward a bid; and secondly a shortlist phase where the best three bids would receive financial assistance and help from Regional Development Victoria to prepare detailed business cases.
“High Country communities will have a say on the best location and design for a Hall of Fame that will share their stories with locals and visitors alike.
“If the Liberal Nationals are elected at the November State Election we will ensure the rich history of this iconic region and the people and industries that have defined it are preserved and celebrated.
“This will be a place our communities can be proud of and it will add to the outstanding tourism attractions that already draw more than one million people to the High Country every year.”