Sarah Henderson (Corangamite, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to congratulate chef Dan Hunter and his staff for the amazing success they have achieved with their Birregurra restaurant Brae. In its first year of operation, it has been named the Age Good Food Guide Restaurant of the Year. Brae has also been named the New Restaurant of the Year and Regional Restaurant of the Year in the Gourmet Traveller awards. What Dan and his dedicated team have achieved in such a short time is absolutely phenomenal. After his wonderful success at the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld, Dan Hunter is going from strength to strength. And the people of Birregurra—a beautiful town between Geelong and Colac—are reaping the benefits. Business is up in local B&Bs and there is a real buzz about the town.

Of course in the next few years it will be even easier to dine at Brae when the federal and Victorian governments complete the duplication of the Princess Highway between Winchelsea and Colac, a project I fought very hard for and another one of the many important investments confirmed in our budget. Tourism is so important in the Corangamite electorate. With Avalon airport on our doorstep, if you want arguably the best dining experience in Australia, jump on a Jetstar flight and head to Birregurra. International visitors are also starting to flock to Brae. There are even predictions that Brae could end up being one of the top 15 restaurants in the world. So again to Brae and to Dan Hunter I say a very big 'Congratulations!'