Bob spruiks for Baw Baw
by Yvette Brand AFL legend and former Warragul resident Bob Murphy aims to “wake people up” to what Baw Baw Shire has to offer as a tourist destination.
Bob was officially announced as Visit Baw Baw’s tourism ambassador on Thursday when Baw Baw Shire launched its new tourism focussed campaign as part of its recently adopted economic development strategy.
Bob said he was “passionate about this place” and said it would be an easy job to promote everything he loves about his home town and wider area.
The ambassadorship includes radio advertising campaigns on SEN and 3AW radio, where Bob is contracted, and will feature day trip destinations Walhalla, Noojee and Yarragon. Bob also will feature on Visit Baw Baw’s social media and make personal appearances at key local events.
After growing up in Warragul, Bob left about 18 years ago to take up an AFL football career with the Western Bulldogs.
As ambassador, Bob said he wanted to “wake people up” to the beauty of the area and what it has to offer.
“I jumped at the chance to come back and be involved in this. Authentic is a buzz word...but this area has natural beauty and is full of characters that care about their community. It’s got heart.
“When mum and dad (Monica and John Murphy) moved away, I didn’t have that base in Warragul anymore. But I want to show my kids the area I grew up in like taking them to Mt Baw Baw to see snow and that’s what I want to tell others,” he said.
The shire’s executive manager communications and economic development Mark Kestigian said Bob’s appointment was a decision of the economic development team, not council.
He said Bob was selected because of his connection to the shire and he was a “natural fit” for the role.
“We wanted to engage an ambassador that was well known in the public sphere who would work with us to promote the beauty of Baw Baw Shire to the Melbourne day-trip market and beyond.
The position is a paid role that was negotiated with Bob’s management agency. Mr Kestigian said the commercial details of the arrangement were confidential.
Mr Kestigian said a number of media outlets were considered through the campaign planning process.
“Once the decision was made to engage Bob as our ambassador, we have been able to promote Visit Baw Baw on the outlets he is contracted to which align with our target Melbourne-based audience,” he said.
Mayor Joe Gauci said Bob’s illustrious footy career had seen him become an iconic and wellrespected public figure. “He is a natural fit for this role given his high profile in Melbourne, strong media presence and close personal connection to the region.”
At the campaign launch on Thursday, Mr Kestigian said there was a lot of exciting events on the horizon to showcase Baw Baw as an events and tourism destination.
He said the Australian Ballet last week announced an exciting event for Lardner Park that will feature 77 dancers, which was only the taste of what will be on offer.
He said sporting events, particularly cycling would showcase the shire, including the annual Baw Baw Classic and a downhill challenge in February. “We think there is a lot of room for growth in cycling events.”
Mr Kestigian said four episodes of Good Chef Bad Chef would be filmed in the shire between now and Christmas while a film festival was planned for the arts centre.
Mr Kestigian said another major event, that he could not reveal, would be very exciting for the area and involve some “blood, sweat and tears.”
“Our major market is Melbourne and we need to get them out here. We talked to 500 experienced day trippers from around Melbourne… few people knew where West Gippsland was. So we need to educate people. We need to get a series of events to get people coming this way because as soon as they come this way they will say, we want to come back,” he said.