Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 Jade BENHAM (Mildura) (13:50): Mildura has shone brightly at the Victorian Tourism Awards, where our region once again proved why we are the place people travel to, return to and rave about. All Seasons Holiday Park took out gold, showcasing the very best in family-friendly, regional accommodation. Murray Region Tourism’s Mates of the Murray campaign earned silver, highlighting the power of collaboration along our river communities, and the Mildura Visitor Information Centre claimed bronze, recognising the exceptional work of the team who are often the very first friendly faces visitors meet.These awards are a huge testament to the hardworking operators, volunteers and staff who keep our tourism industry vibrant and welcoming year round.

I will just squeeze in one, maybe two more. A massive congratulations to Ben Gowers, who has just won the 2025 Australian hot air balloon long jump competition. Only in Mildura can we celebrate world-class motorsport, world-class tourism products and world-class ballooning all in the same week. And well done to everyone who was involved in and who attended the massive Lenny Kravitz and Jet gig at Mildura Sporting Precinct last Friday night. We did get all of the rain we needed three months ago.