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www.wangarattachronicle.com.au
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
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Devils get season off to a flier Sport
HAPPY DAYS: Making the most of the Labour Day long weekend, visiting Baileys of Glenrowan winery on Monday were (from left) Ellen Crocker, Tom Crocker, Patricia Bradshaw, Ryan Garrett, John Bradshaw and Kerry Garrett from Benalla. PHOTO: Kurt Hickling
Labour of love THE Labour Day long weekend provided many local businesses with a much needed fillip, as visitation and booking numbers flourished across the Rural City of Wangaratta. A jam-packed events calendar attracted several thousands to the rural city, attending events including the Pride Fair Day, the All GM Day and the Harness Cup.
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BY BAILEY ZIMMERMANN bzimmermann@ nemedia.com.au
Mayor Dean Rees said weekend events in the rural city and surrounding region, including the Towong Cup and the Mitta Muster, provided an extra boost of visitation.
“All those people have to drive through Wangaratta or stop in Wangaratta on the Friday, go to these events on the Saturday and the Sunday, so having these events in the North East and the high country is just a great thing to boost visitation in Wangaratta itself,” he said. “We think we have the best climate in the whole of
Park Lane Nursery Garden Releaf Day, Sunday 19th March 8.30am – 3pm
Australia up here, and I think that was proven over the weekend events, and even though we had a storm come through on Sunday evening, it was just a great weekend to get out and about.” Brand manager of Pizzini Wines and the Mountain View Hotel, Natalie Pizzini, said there was also plenty of traffic flow coming in and out of the King Valley over
the long weekend. “It was fantastic, the vibe was really lovely, very similar to last year but we found over both venues people were spending more on wine,” she said. “It’s great, because the region is attracting people who want to come up and try those more interesting, more expensive wines.” Ms Pizzini said the
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the hotel, which have found the increase in overseas travel over the last few months and worker shortages throughout the King Valley impact their visitation. “Hopefully this is the entrée into Easter; because since Christmas we have seen visitation nowhere near what it was this time last year,” she said. ■ Continued page 3