Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with East Gippsland Marketing Inc members Richard Rijs, Karly McCaskill and John Morton. Mr Bull said funding has been secured for the event to be held later this year.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said he was pleased the Australian Adventure Festival to be held later this year – which he says could put East Gippsland on the international stage and bring millions to the local economy – will receive State Government funding.
 
“Having raised the matter at each of the April, May and June sittings of Parliament this year, explaining the event and seeking support, I was pleased to receive a letter from the Minister on Friday stating $75,000 has been allocated for this year’s event.
 
“Pre-election the Coalition committed $350,000 over the next four years in recognition of what this event can potentially do for this region and while this commitment is not to that level it will nevertheless be important in the developing years of the festival. I will pursue funding in future years also.
 
“There has been a lot of work go into the planning by East Gippsland Marketing Inc (EGMI) and its Adventure Festival Sub-committee, all hard working East Gippslanders who want to see the region promoted.
 
“The proposal was developed by EGMI, which received State Coalition and Local Government funds to develop a signature event for the region.”
 
Mr Bull said there would be several events as part of the Festival that included activities such as trail running, kayaking and mountain biking and the various skill levels will be catered for from elite to the “weekend warrior”.
 
“In addition, it is planned to have family friendly activities across the weekend providing sporting challenges for kids that mirror the adventure series; and shopping and food experiences including a nightly market.

“Lakes Entrance will be the focal point and base destination of the event, however the sporting challenges will take place throughout the East Gippsland region.

“The Australian Adventure Festival will bring together the world of adventure sports to compete in ultimate adventure challenges, all held in one of the most picturesque and diverse nature based destinations in Victoria.

“Based on estimated participation from the report that has been done, the event is expected to return an economic benefit of over $2 million in year one, growing exponentially as the competitor pool increases, but funds are required to get it off the ground,” Mr Bull said.

Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull and Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien, discuss the cheese making process with Maffra Cheese representative, Sam Riggall, during a tour of its facility.

Maffra Cheese this week was recognised in State Parliament on the back of its success in the International Cheese Awards in the United Kingdom.

State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, paid tribute to what he said was “a great Australian company”.

“Maffra Cheese is a small family owned business that recently expanded its operations with the help of the former Coalition government’s Regional Growth Fund,” Mr Bull told Parliament.

“It is a major employer in the Tinamba, Heyfield and Maffra regions and is a great example of what can be achieved through hard-work and a great vision.

“Maffra Cheese’s Cloth Aged Cheddar was recently judged the Best Australian Cheese at the International Cheese Awards in the United Kingdom, marking the third consecutive year of winning this coveted international title.

“With over 4,000 cheeses entered, the Nantwich International Cheese Awards is the largest cheese competition in the world.

“Well done to Ferial Zekiman and her team for such an outstanding result.”

With the opening of the new Melbourne Fruit and Vegetable market having been delayed, State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, has asked the Minister to ensure all the problems affecting country businesses are resolved before the gates are opened.

Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr Bull said regional businesses are reporting numerous issues, with inadequate secure sleeping bay facilities for rural drivers who travel over four hours to reach the market one of many issues which disadvantage those from the regions.

“The market authority has requested drivers park at the nearest service station which is a security risk given drivers carry sums of cash for ‘cash buying’ at the market, but even when they get in there is a major shortage of undercover loading and unloading areas.”

Mr Bull said these two matters he raised in Parliament this week were not the only concerns that needed to be resolved.

“The market authority is now charging each driver $27.50 per year for their individual access cards. For a company like Bon Accord locally with a lot of drivers this will equate to a significant cost that is currently not charged at the current market or other interstate markets.

“There also appears to be a lack of understanding that many drivers reach the market after 10pm, but the market authority administration is not open at this time to take photos for these individual access cards.

“This is a significant access problem with the opening only a month away.

“Large trucking companies are also saying there is inadequate parking for B-doubles at the new market, so there are a few issues to be resolved and with potential impacts on local business operators they need to be addressed before the gates are opened,” Mr Bull said.