Cathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Colleagues, I would like to tell you about north-east Victoria and our food and wine. I know some of you have been there, and you know how wonderful it is. I had the great pleasure on Saturday, 24 September of being at the first ever Myrtleford Farmers Market. It was a fantastic day. Over 500 people packed the heart of the plaza. The heart of Myrtleford was just abuzz with markets, people and wonderful food. The sun shone, and we had a really wonderful day.

I would particularly like to acknowledge Regional Development Victoria. Thanks for the support that you give us right across the farmers markets, particularly in Indi. To the Alpine Shire, we could not do it without your support and all of your staff. To the Myrtleford Chamber of Commerce and Industry, you make things happen. We really appreciate what you do. To the philanthropy section—to the Into Our Hands Foundation—that little bit of money goes such a long way and makes such a difference. To all of the agriculture businesses and businesses in the Ovens Valley for turning up in such numbers. I would particularly like to acknowledge and pay homage to Kerry Murphy. Through your work with TAFCO, we know that you are the heart and soul of so much that happens in the Ovens Valley. Thank you for the work.

Also, I would like to acknowledge and bring to the attention of my colleagues some of the fantastic cooks that we have in north-east Victoria. There is very special person from Bright's Simones. To Patrizia Simone, thank you for coming on the day, thank you for doing the cooking demonstrations and thank you for inspiring us to know what wonderful food we have in the north-east. (Time expired)

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