Events funding jazzes up Victoria's High Country

FROM THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM
DATE: Wednesday, May 23, 2007

A blues and jazz festival is one of three events in Victoria’s High Country to benefit from a Bracks Government boost to tourism in regional communities, Minister for Tourism Tim Holding said today.

Mr Holding said Beat the Winter Blues ‘n Jazz ($5000), Benalla Botanica ($5000) and Euroa Show ‘n’ Shine ($3000) have been funded through the Country Victoria Events Program (CVEP), which assists with the development of growing regional festivals and events.

“Victoria’s High Country has a fantastic range of diverse attractions and events – whether you are interested in food and wine, nature-based activities, skiing, or a short break,” Mr Holding said.

“The Bracks Government recognises that regional tourism is one of the most important sectors of the tourism industry in Victoria, which is why more than half of Tourism Victoria’s $1.5 million annual events funding is used to support events staged throughout regional Victoria.

Mr Holding said tourism was worth $3.4 billion annually to regional Victoria and responsible for 61,000 jobs.

Northern Victoria MP Candy Broad said the Beat the Winter Blues ‘n Jazz festival would be held in the Milawa Gourmet Region on the first weekend of July.

“The event will showcase a range of blues and jazz, against the backdrop of the area’s gourmet food and wine,” Ms Broad said.

“It will help to build the Wangaratta region as a year-round destination and as a leader in blues and jazz events.”

She said Benalla Botanica, a conference to be held in late October, would help Benalla to become known for its cutting edge ideas in the environmental management of its community spaces and help identify Benalla as the horticultural hub of Victoria.

The 5th Euroa Show ‘n’ Shine will be held from 6-7 October and offers visitors a classic ‘country style’ display of rare and vintage vehicles as well as a farmers and craft market showing off the gourmet food and wine of the Strathbogie Ranges.

Funding for the CVEP is made available through the State Government’s Living Regions Living Suburbs and is managed by Tourism Alliance Victoria. More than 30 regional community events each year are funded through the CVEP.