Governor's virtual visit

Published on 09 July 2020

Gannawarra Shire Council had the honour of hosting a virtual tour of the municipality with the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC on 3 July.

Initially scheduled as an in-person tour, social distancing measures in place to stop the spread of Coronavirus led to this appointment proceeding digitally.

“Each Governor aims to visit every municipality during their term in the role, and it is encouraging that the COVID-19 pandemic has not stopped the Governor from engaging with these communities,” Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said.

ABOVE: The Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC and Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O'Reilly watch as Council's Economic Development Manager, Roger Griffiths conducted a tour of the Koondrook Nature Based Tourism Hub.

During the 90-minute tour, Mayor Learmonth and Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly briefed the Governor on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the Gannawarra, as well as how recovery efforts are progressing.

A group of young farmers then joined Mayor Learmonth and Mr O’Reilly in a round table discussion with the Governor regarding how COVID-19 is affecting the agriculture sector.

“While it was a brief meeting with the Governor, it was a pleasure to participate and an honour to represent the farmers of the Gannawarra Shire,” round table participant, Chris Dent said.

“The main points of discussion included a briefing on our individual farming operations, our experiences through the COVID-19 restrictions and our thoughts and views on the future challenges we see for our farms and in our community.

“The Governor was very polite and knowledgeable and showed genuine interest and understanding of the issues in our region.”

The final part of proceeds involved the Governor taking part in a virtual walking tour through three major infrastructure projects – Stage 1 of the Cohuna Waterfront Redevelopment; Stage 3 of the Koondrook CBD Redevelopment and construction of the Koondrook Nature Based Tourism Hub.

ABOVE: Mayor Lorraine Learmonth, Council's Director of Infrastructure and Development, Geoff Rollinson and Executive Assistant to the CEO, Mel Scott showed the Governor around major infrastructure works at Cohuna.

“The virtual walking tours of these major projects at Cohuna and Koondrook enabled participants to promote the Gannawarra’s natural beauty and tourism potential to the Governor,” Mayor Learmonth said.

“Council thanks the Governor for taking part in the virtual tour and invites both the Governor and her husband to an in-person visit to the Gannawarra at a later date.”

TOP PHOTO: A group of local farmers joined Gannawarra Shire Council's Mayor Lorraine Learmonth and Chief Executive Officer, Tom O'Reilly in a round table discussion with the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AC on 3 July.