Great to see you all

Happy valley puts out welcome mat

BUSINESS owners in t he Huon Valley are feeling the relief in the bushfire’s wake, rejoicing at the return of customers as a number of big events hit town this weekend.

Kermandie Waterfront Hotel’s Joanna Jablo–nka said she has been taken aback by the support of locals and tourists.

“We’ve just been run off our feet the last week or so trying to keep up with demand which is amazing,” Ms Jablonka said.

“Pretty much as soon as the road blocks were lifted people didn’t come in a trickle, they came back in a tsunami. It’d be really great if it continues.”

Dover Driftwood Cottages owner Rachel Trueman said there has been a marked increase in the number of Tasmanians making the effort to come down, but less so with tourists.

“Local people who understand that everything’s fine are being really terrific coming down and putting money back in the local community,” Ms Trueman said.

“What we’d really like is to get rid of this perception that people will come down and see burnt landscapes.”

Corinne Coombs, owner of Billy Hill Organic Store in Franklin, said the support from visitors stopping and buying locally by had been tremendous.

She said while road closures were in place during the fires there were some days when her store traded less than $100 for the day.

“But it’s slowly getting back on track now,” she said.

“And what’s been lovely is I’ve had customers from Hobart who’ve refused to use their discount voucher that we offer. One lady even bought me a small gift.”

The Mercury has been campaigning to get Tasmanians back to the Huon, which Mrs Coombs said had been a “wonderful show of support”.

Locals and tourists are also being encouraged to head towards other bushfire effected areas, such as the Bushy Park Show which is gearing up for its 145th event.

The Huon Valley Strong Market kicks off this morning at 10am at the Willie Smiths Apple Shed.

Huon Producers’ Network president Jono Linnis encouraging people to not only visit the market but to make a trip elsewhere in the Huon Valley.

“The best way to support us is to come and spend the money down here,” he said.

Le Weekend — an annual event that commemorates the first European visitors to the southern Tasmania — is also being held at Cygnet today and tomorrow.

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys said: “An event like this couldn’t have come at a better time for the Huon Valley.”