The Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC, has praised the Ararat region’s generosity and community spirit during a two-day visit this week.
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Government House held 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, planted an oak tree to mark the restoration of the Willaura Railway Station, held a farming roundtable at Mount Langi Ghiran winery and 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 corner of our state,” Ms Dessau said.
“I love seeing all the similarities that connection our wonderfully diverse communities, but I love seeing the unique things that set us apart.
“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 framed by the Grampians and even in the main street I’m quite taken by the beautifully manicured vines.”
Ms Dessau said she had spoken to a lot of people about the unique challenges and opportunities in the region.
She was also impressed at how the community had gathered to support Ararat West Primary School after a devastating 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.”
Ms Dessau also thanked Ararat College, the CWA and Central Grampians LLEN for helping with service at the reception.