General News
26 March, 2025
Boost for Halls Gap Zoo
HALLS Gap Zoo has been named one of the 50 winners of the Commonwealth Bank’s CommBank Matildas on Loan competition and will have the national sporting heroes support them in an advertising campaign aimed at backing small businesses around Australia.
HALLS Gap Zoo has been named one of the 50 winners of the Commonwealth Bank’s CommBank Matildas on Loan competition and will have the national sporting heroes support them in an advertising campaign aimed at backing small businesses around Australia.
Halls Gap Zoo, Victoria’s largest regional zoo, is set across 52 acres of natural bushland.
Home to over 120 species and 500 animals, including cheetahs, rhinos, and Australia’s spot-tailed quolls, the zoo offers an immersive wildlife experience located in the Grampians. Since being founded in 1982, it has grown into a major conservation and education hub, recognised for its breeding programs and commitment to animal welfare.
In July 2023, Mark Treweek and his family, became the zoo’s owners, quickly investing in animal welfare upgrades, new exhibits, and an on-site café.
With a passionate team of 20, Halls Gap Zoo continues to provide top-tier wildlife care while offering visitors an unforgettable experience.
Each of the 50 competition winners will receive an advertisement for their business alongside the CommBank Matildas, which will be distributed by the Commonwealth Bank via billboards, radio, and CommBank Branches, as part of a national advertising campaign.
Each winner will get a tailored campaign to promote their business within their respective communities.
Mr Treweek said the campaign has come at the right time.
“The Halls Gap Zoo is really popular however last year we had to close for an extended period during peak season due to the Grampians bushfires, and as a result visitation is still down.
“We're proudly Victoria’s largest privately-owned zoo and although we're only a few hours drive from Melbourne, there are many who aren't aware of our existence. It’s more important than ever that we get the word out. That’s why we’re so happy to have the CommBank Matildas supporting us. When you’ve got the right team backing you, anything is possible,” Mr Treweek said.
The announcement of 50 businesses who will get the backing of CommBank as part of the national advertising campaign comes as new research shows nearly 90 per cent of Australian small to medium businesses expect to continue to face challenges in 2025.
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