Media Releases

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty speaking in Parliament this week said he had attended a number of functions across the Lowan electorate.

“I was privileged to take part in the Mother’s Day Classic in Horsham. This event helps raise money for breast cancer research, remember those who have lost their battle and celebrate those who have survived. This event was well attended, as were many such events across Victoria, and I commend the organisers and the participants for their support for this very worthy cause,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I was pleased to attend a forum in Casterton to celebrate National Volunteer Week and the work our volunteers do in the community.”

Mr Delahunty said this year’s theme was ‘Volunteers — every one counts’.

“Volunteers are the backbone of any community, especially country communities, and they provide much needed assistance to not only organisations but also to individuals.  

“I believe in the philosophy that in giving we receive, so on behalf of the people of the Lowan electorate, I say a big thank you to all the volunteers for their wonderful contributions to our communities, particularly the 580 000 volunteers who work in the sport and recreation sector,” Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said he also attended a Hindmarsh shire reception to welcome the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Alex Chernov, and Mrs Chernov. They visited Luv-a-Duck and the Nine Creeks walking and bicycle track. They also visited the Wimmera-Mallee Pioneer Museum at Jeparit, Lake Hindmarsh, the Rainbow primary and secondary schools, and the new health and fitness centre at Dimboola Memorial Secondary College.

“There is a lot happening in the Lowan electorate, and I take this opportunity to congratulate our volunteers and our unsung heroes, those who work behind the scenes, who work tirelessly for the betterment of our communities,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has congratulated the organising committee on another successful Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival.

In representing the Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Minister Delahunty said that for 21 years the Grampians Grape Escape Food and Wine Festival had celebrated and promoted on of Victoria’s premier gourmet food and wine regions.

“People attending the festival enjoyed the different food and wines and festive atmosphere which, over the weekend, attracted 100 exhibitors and was a major tourism drawcard drawing thousands of visitors many of whom stayed in the region,” Minister Delahunty said.

“In opening the festival, I was pleased to announce, on behalf of Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development, that the Grampians Grape Escape Festival would receive $8,000 for the Twitter Plus project, which would use social media to showcase the region and grow the festival,” Minister Delahunty said.

“The Grampians Grape Escape Festival is in its 21st year and is widely recognised as the premier food and wine festival and provides a significant stimulus to the regional economy.”

“The Twitter Plus project will deliver a social media strategy to encourage ongoing relationships between exhibitors and attendees at this year’s festival and showcase the region and its produce.

“It will also incorporate market research to better determine the market attracted to the event and undertake an economic impact assessment to understand the economic impact of the festival on the town of Halls Gap, the Northern Grampians Shire and the broader Grampians region,” Minister Delahunty said.

“Putting Locals First is a $100 million state government initiative that enables regional communities to devise and deliver service and infrastructure responses that reflect local priorities,” Minister Delahunty said.

“It is supporting stronger and more sustainable regional communities by building their capacity to drive development in their region.”

“The Grampians Grape Escape is a wonderful event for western Victoria which is well patronised and I know everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed the weekend,” Minister Delahunty said.

One of the most popular Spring Racing Carnival Country events, the annual Dunkeld Cup, is to have its racing grounds overhauled through a $124,000 project for new roads and footpaths funded by the Victorian Government.

The Minister for Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, inspected Dunkeld racecourse today to announce the development project on behalf of Minister for Racing Denis Napthine and cup organisers, Dunkeld Racing Club.

“Dunkeld is one of the flagship events for country racing with crowds in excess of 12,000 now the norm at this unique and picturesque race meeting,” Mr Delahunty said.

“The funding will assist in the installation of 2,600 square metres of sealed roadways and pathways throughout the venue and provide race day patrons with comfortable and safe means to move around the venue.

“The facilities will significantly enhance the customers’ race day experiences which will have a very positive impact on the reputation of Country Racing at small one day a year venues in the South West,” Dunkeld Racing Club spokesperson Karen Van Kempen said.

The State Government contributed $60,000, while Racing Victoria Limited and Country Racing Victoria jointly contributed the remaining $64,000.

“We are delighted that the State Government has agreed to fund with Country Racing Victoria and Racing Victoria the construction of roads and pathways throughout the Dunkeld racecourse and we thank them for their contribution,” Country Racing Victoria CEO Scott Whiteman said.

“Dunkeld is living proof that racing is a viable community asset with many local community groups receiving benefits. It is further evidence that small communities are more than capable of conducting significant local events.

“Last year terrible weather meant a reduction in numbers but all early indicators are that crowd numbers will return to 2009 levels this year and these upgrades will be welcomed by all,” Mr Whiteman said.

Minister for Racing Denis Napthine congratulated the Dunkeld Racing Club for gaining TAB status for the Dunkeld Cup this year, which includes a significant increase in prize money for owners and trainers, and will assist the club in continuing to attract a diverse crowd to the annual event.

“The Victorian Government is firmly committed to supporting country racing, and to help Victoria’s $2 billion racing industry grow and continue its enormous economic contribution to Victoria,” Dr Napthine said.

“The State Government is committed to Victorian racing, and has established the $79.5 million Victorian Racing Industry Fund through which unclaimed wagering dividends and on-course wagering taxes are returned to the racing industry through projects such as this.”

Over the next four years, the VRIF will be a source of at least $30 million in funding for significant improvements to racetracks, training infrastructure and public facilities at racing venues across Victoria.

 The Casterton Kelpie Festival, Hamilton Eisteddfod, as well as Horsham’s Blue Ribbon Speedway Carnival and Volleyball Victoria country championships were among regional events highlighted by the Nationals Member for Lowan, Hugh Delahunty in Parliament this week.

Mr Delahunty also encouraged members of Parliament to visit the Wartook Valley or consider coming along to the Casterton Kelpie Festival next year.  Mr Delahunty said the Kelpie Festival is a “great event to go to, with the high jump and the hill climb for kelpies, as well as the opportunity to buy a great kelpie.”

Members were impressed to hear about the top price this year for the sale of a kelpie was $9000.

Progress on important economic developments in the region was also highlighted, with the commencement of works for the Illuka rail project and the Wimmera Freight Hub last week.

Mr Delahunty advised the Parliament the Illuka project is “expected to reduce truck movements by 20,000 a year in Western Victoria.” 

Both the Illuka project and the Wimmera Freight Hub development will see rail infrastructure built which is intended to reduce truck movements in the region, a good outcome for our communities and highways.