VICTORIAN Governor Linda Dessau AC has praised the region’s generosity and community spirit during a two-day visit to Ararat this week.
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Government House hosted a function for the Governor at Ararat’s Alexandra Oval Community Centre on Wednesday afternoon.
During her visit she met with Ararat Legacy, toured manufacturer AME Systems, met with members of Ararat parkrun, dropped into the newly reopened Moyston General Store and the memorial to Thomas Wentworth Wills, founder of Australian Rules Football.
She planted an oak tree to mark the restoration of the Willaura Railway Station, hosted a farming roundtable at Mount Langi Ghiran winery, toured the classroom fire recovery efforts at Ararat West Primary School and laid a wreath at Ararat’s Cenotaph.
“The Governor is the Governor for the whole of Victoria and I therefore relish the chance to visit every coren of our state,” Ms Dessau said.
“Each part of Victoria has its own natural beauty and it’s not hard to see what that is around here, it is absolutely gorgeous farmed by the Grampians and even in the main street I’m quite taken by the beautifully manicured vines.”
Ms Dessau said she spoke to people about the unique challenges and opportunities in the region.
She said she was impressed at how the community had supported Ararat West Primary School after a fire in October.
“We were shown around by some of the young ones and they were just terrific,” she said.
“One of the highlights of this visit has been hearing from farmers, and it certainly has helped me to understand some of the brilliant innovations that make Victoria such a celebrated producer of food and fibre.”
Ararat, Stawell, Avoca, Beaufort and Lilyana Country Women’s Association members stepped up to the Vice Regal challenge on Wednesday with a last-minute catering request.
CWA Beaufort group regional president Barbara Blamey said 12 members provided sandwiches, scones and refreshments.
“Originally it was 150 people at two day’s notice before the event and it ended up with more than 220 guests,” she said.
“We got it all done. It was very hectic.
“We got there at about 8.30am and we left well and truly after 4pm. It was a long and very productive day.
“We had to go and make extra 200 or so scones as well, which is a great mainstay of the CWA.”