Media Release

Friday, 12 March 2010

Last Friday saw the official launch of Stage 2 restoration works to the Pioneer Settlement's PS Gem, enabling a number of people – including those that were part of the Gem's voyage from Mildura to its final destination in Swan Hill – to celebrate the long life of this Queen of the Murray.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Federal Member for Calwell Maria Vamvakinou for coming to Swan Hill and representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Anthony Albanese at the launch.

After taking a tour of the PS Gem, the Member for Calwell also took a tour of the Pioneer Settlement and was not only impressed with our iconic tourist site, but was equally impressed with the Settlement's education program as well as the things happening at the site.

It was great to be able to showcase the Settlement to the Federal Member for Calwell and was another highlight in what was a great morning celebrating the Pioneer Settlement and the PS Gem.

Although it may have stopped us from being able to get out and about as much as we would've liked during the long weekend, it was great to finally receive some decent rain.

For some, including our dryland farmers, this rain was a blessing, for others, such as our wine grape growers, the rainfall was not as welcome.

The damp weather however failed to put a dent in the Robinvale Euston Ski Race.

With record entries and around 800 to 1000 through the gate, the event, despite the wet conditions was a great success.

Organisers were very impressed with the local community in Robinvale, who turned out to support and assist the event, especially in the muddy conditions.

Congratulations to the Robinvale Ski Race Committee for their hard work and another successful event, which not only brings the community together, but sees both economic and social benefits flow into the Robinvale and Euston communities, as well as our region.

Finally for this fortnight, last week representatives from Council, including myself, Cr John Katis and Robinvale's Senior Executive Officer Hodi Beauliv, attended a public hearing by the Rural and Regional Committee for its inquiry into the extent and nature of disadvantage and inequity in rural and regional Victoria.

The hearing, which was held at the Robinvale Community Centre, was an opportunity to put forward and talk to submissions regarding disadvantage in our region and to enable the government to get a handle on the issues of disadvantage facing our region and it will be interesting to see the outcomes of this inquiry.