From 13 – 16 August 2024, the Governor participated in an official visit to Hindmarsh and West Wimmera.
This region and its people have always stood out in Victorian history as a place of unique character, ingenuity and resourcefulness.
The program, facilitated with Hindmarsh Shire Council and West Wimmera Shire Council, offered the opportunity to engage in discussions with community leaders and get a firsthand insight into local issues and visions for the future.
Key themes
Local business
Major businesses such as Luv-a-Duck, Ahrens and GrainFlow are integral to employment and economic output in the region.
The Governor visited these businesses in Hindmarsh to hear about their innovative operations.
A roundtable with local farmers also offered an insight into their work, its challenges and priorities for the future.
The theme of agriculture continued in West Wimmera with tours of Hannaton Poll Merinos & White Suffolks and Miga Lake Flowers, demonstrating how these two very different farms share a commitment to producing the highest quality products.
Service delivery
Following a briefing from the Hindmarsh Shire Council, the Governor met with community members at a civic reception in Nhill. A meeting with the Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council also offered the chance to discuss local priorities.
In Dimboola, the Governor met with student representatives from Dimboola Memorial Secondary College and unveiled a plaque to commemorate the school’s centenary year at the site.
The visit was also a chance to speak with teachers and hear about their experiences in education in regional Victoria.
In West Wimmera, the Governor received a briefing on local issues and opportunities from West Wimmera Shire Council.
Meetings with Harrow emergency services volunteers, as well as staff at the Harrow Bush Nursing Centre, were a chance to hear firsthand how communities work to overcome the barriers of regional life.
Tourism
Between engagements on the visit, the Governor viewed the silo art in Dimboola and Goroke, which form part of the Silo Art Trail - Australia’s largest outdoor gallery.
Visits to the Nhill Aviation Heritage Centre and the Harrow Discovery Centre also offered an insight into the history of these communities and the volunteer spirit that thrives today.
The Governor concluded the regional tour with a ceremonial tree planting at the Kaniva Wetlands & Fauna Park, joined by the West Wimmera Shire Council and Lions Club volunteers.
Background information
Hindmarsh
Hindmarsh Shire is in the Wimmera-Mallee region, about 350 kms northwest of Melbourne.
It is bordered in the north by the Big Desert / Wyperfeld National Park, and in the south by the Little Desert National Park.
The economy of Hindmarsh is based largely on dryland, broadacre farming, especially grain (wheat, barley and oats) and sheep, but in recent years has diversified into the production of oilseeds and legumes. Agricultural manufacture and tourism are also important.
For more information, visit Hindmarsh Shire Council.
West Wimmera
West Wimmera lies in western Victoria on the South Australian border, about halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide.
The economy of the shire is dominated by agricultural production, particularly wheat, sheep and vegetables.
The area also boasts a large variety of natural environments, including the Big Desert Wilderness Park, the Little Desert National Park and about 3,000 wetlands.
For more information, visit West Wimmera Shire Council.