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

Today I would like to congratulate the Yackandandah Historical Society on the completion of extension work to its conservation and storage building. I had the honour of officially opening this architect designed and environmentally sustainable building on Saturday. The Yackandandah community raised $50,000 to get this project off the ground.

I want to thank Linton, Jennie, Pam and Brett and to note in particular the work of the President of the Yackandandah Historical Society, Sue Reynolds OAM. Sue has been involved with the society for over 30 years, is responsible for the collection and has been the driving force behind this project. Because of the hard work of Susan and her team the history of Yackandandah and surrounding areas will be accessible to locals and visitors to the area—yet another tourism attraction for Indi. I warmly invite my friends opposite to come visit the wonderful community of Yackandandah.

You may not know how important arts and culture are to the Victorian economy. In 2010-11 the culture contributed $6.1 billion to the Victorian economy and employed 68,000 workers full time. Many visitors come to the area to experience our unique culture and society, and the Yackandandah Historical Society provides us with a great model of how communities can work together to improve their economies through the promotion of arts and culture.

Congratulations, Yackandandah—another wonderful achievement.