GOVERNOR of Victoria Margaret Gardener has been warmly welcomed by businesses, community groups and schools across the Swan Hill municipality.
Ms Gardener embarked on a four-day tour across the state’s northwest, making her way from Mildura to the Swan Hill Municipality to get a taste of the region and its industry.
The visit to the municipality began in Robinvale on Thursday morning, as Ms Gardner planted a tree in Robinvale Memorial Park to commemorate the city’s 40-year partnership with Villers-Bretonneux
The Governor then travelled to tour Cobram Estate to gain insight into the region’s agricultural industry, and the importance the region plays in the state’s economy and prosperity.
Speaking to The Guardian, Ms Gardener said the region had treated her to “a really interesting and varied tour”.
“It’s been wonderful, I’ve been welcomed by the Mildura City Council and the Swan Hill Rural City Council,” she said.
“But I’ve also been welcomed by all sorts of people who are in one way or another welcoming us into their workplace or into their community groups.
“I’ve had community groups, who are again volunteers, preserving and explaining the history of their place – from the Chafey Trail to Robinswood Homestead and Robinvale Memorial Park.
“I’ve also seen really vibrant businesses that are supplying produce, food or services to large sections, not only of Victoria, but often to large sections of Australia.
“They’re all vibrant and thinking about the next things they are going to be doing, it’s been always engaging.”
The Governor’s visit to Swan Hill included a number of events, as well as visits to Swan Hill’s Pioneer Settlement and new Country Universities Centre.
The Governor attended and addressed those gathered at a civic reception at Swan Hill’s Regional Art Gallery, where she was presented with a selection of the region’s local produce.
Speaking to the crowd, Ms Gardener said “getting to know what is happening around the region is a real privilege”.
“I don’t need to tell you, but the role that rural and regional Victoria plays in this state’s economic and cultural prosperity is very important, she said.
“A lot of what makes up our economy can’t come from any other place than from here.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet people from a range of organisations and to see people who are in the community, whether that is their work or through volunteering.
“People who are working in all of the areas that make it welcoming for people to come here, whether they are passing through or touring in the sense of being a tourist.
“I can see here in Swan Hill, a lot of fabulous economic contribution is being made.”
Swan Hill Rural City Mayor Stuart King said the Governor had also heard about issues impacting the town, including Swan Hill’s ageing bridge.
“The Governor took a keen interest in our bridge and our ongoing advocacy with the higher levels of Government,” he said.
“It was great to have her ear on that, she can really see the value and the benefit of having an upgraded crossing, especially around trade on both sides of the river.
“Whilst she doesn’t have a direct influence over the Government, she does have the ear of ministers and gets to speak to ministers about these issues that she comes across when she’s in these regions.
“It’s really good to see that she was quite pragmatic about some of the obstacles around a heritage abutment, and the ridiculousness around that holding up what is such a significant project.”
Cr King said the trip would enable the Governor to share with delegates, whether from overseas or interstate, about the strong industry and community in our region.
“She is an economist, so she understands the importance of trade and our place in the economy,” he said.
“The Governor was quite impressed by what we do here and the diversity of our agricultural industry.
“She now has that knowledge of the Swan Hill region firmly implanted in her mind.”
