‘Rural winners’ in heritage bid

BACKERS of the push UNESCO World Heritage listing of the goldfields say Loddon towns will be tourism winners under the plan.

Chair of the Victorian Goldfields Tourism Cr Chris Meddows-Taylor said a tourism masterplan being developed featured “exciting World Heritage journeys which will disperse the increased visitors – and visitor dollars – throughout the region”.

“It will take in our smaller regional and rural communities meaning there are no winners and losers, only winners,” he said, Loddon Shire is one of 13 councils across central Victoria backing the bid led by Bendigo and Ballarat.

Proponents of the listing were allocated $3.8 million in last week’s State Budget.

They say World Heritage listing of a limited number of globally significant sites will deliver real and long-lasting benefits

Cluster camping

YEAR 3 and 4 students at Tarnagulla Primary School had their annual camp last week. The students joined with cluster schools including Bealiba and Dunolly for the camp at Malmsbury.

that will be shared by communities and people right across the Goldfields region.

“World Heritage will bring world-wide recognition and attention and is a proven, powerful catalyst for unlocking transformative opportunities for local communities,” they said in a statement this week.

“It is estimated to be worth $1 billion to the region over 10 years. Connecting the world with the Victorian Goldfields will grow our global visitor market, driving sustainable tourism and jobs.”

A targeted tourism investment strategy will start delivering benefits in the short-term, major council mayors said in this week’s announcement.

According to Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf: “Traditional owners will be able to tell their own stories about the impact of the gold rush and share those with visitors in the ways they choose.”

STUDENTS from five schools across the Loddon and central Victoria were part of the work experience program at Inglewood and Districts Health Services in May. Among them was Bendigo Senior Secondary College’s Sienna Ward (pictured right) with IDHS community, consumer and volunteer engagement officer Cindy Gould explaining IDHS services to Mavis Needs during a community pop-up session last week. Sienna, of Inglewood, is a Year 11 student studying allied health subjects. Local students on work experience have also come from Wedderburn College, East Loddon College and Catherine McAuley College. LH PHOTO