Eric Hutchinson (Lyons, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have pleasure in talking about what a privilege it was on the weekend to open the Ouse and Highlands Festival. I acknowledge in particular the work done by Fran Macdonald in organising a wonderful event, as well as Anthony Franklin from Central Highlands Rural Youth; Lynn Brown from the Lachlan Hotel; and Wendy Smith, who owns the post office there, as part of the committee. But, really, it was an effort by the whole town—for example, the cooperation that was shown from the school through the children's art competition. There were 21 entries in the main art competition. I had the pleasure of putting in a bid for the winning entry in the art competition and sponsoring the photography contest on the day. Tremendous support was received from the online centre, the ladies guild at the church and the Lachlan Hotel. I want emphasise that it was a whole town event. It brought loads of visitors to the very small community in the upper Derwent Valley of Ouse. It is the fifth year that it has been in operation and I am sure that, with the commitment of the community and the organising committee, they can only go on to greater success in the future.

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