Bumper season for railway
The recent local television news (Prime, January 3) – Walhalla Tourism Woes – reported on a current downturn in Walhalla’s accommodation bookings in response to concerns made by both Russell Wright (WMRTA president and& owner of the GreyHorse Cafe) and Michael Leaney (Baw Baw Shire ward councillor and owner of the Star Hotel).
The interview confirmed that some providers had full tenancies and that the Walhalla Goldfields Railway had “a busy Christmas period”.
As board secretary of the Walhalla Goldfields Railway we agree with the conclusions that the two most iconic tourism operations in Walhalla (the Goldfields Railway and the Long Tunnel Extended Gold Mine) are doing well.
In fact we have broken all records in ticket sales and souvenir purchases at the railway since Boxing Day 2018.
Wright refers to the Christmas reprieve and overall downturn in bookings – clearly that was limited to his business.
In the December/January period to date, the Walhalla Goldfields Railway has experienced a record-breaking season much to our delight and in part due to the support we have been afforded the Baw Baw Shire Council tourism and economic development team and of course our favourite marketing gurus at Destination Gippsland.
Visitor numbers for these two key tourism attractions in Walhalla’s township are significantly up and show no signs of weakening.
The Walhalla Goldfields Railway remains the premier tourist destination in Walhalla and as secretary of the board, I would like to extend our gratitude first to our wonderful volunteer workforce at the Walhalla Goldfields Railway and to our tourism partners at the Baw Baw Shire and Destination Gippsland who have all contributed to our bumper season.
Come up and visit us, bring the family and experience one of Australia’s most spectacular rail journeys for yourself.
Graeme Skinner, secretary Walhalla Goldfields Railway
Keep it up Baw Baw Shire and you will have very few shops and no patrons in the future, and don't smirk this away, as history shows it can happen. Michele Maes, Longwarry
It must be 7am the roar and rattle of double trailer trucks have commenced their daily ritual of every three to five minutes tearing up and down Hopetoun Rd, (and probably other residential streets).
No doubt the council will give us a rebate on our rates to help cover the expenses of the health effects of the pollution and stress.
Mary Gibson, Drouin Let’s look at the advert. The caption – We deliver 20,000 meals on wheels a year to those who need a helping hand
Plus the self promoting words – Baw Baw Council, proudly serving our community.
The meals service is one that is of benefit to many in our community – but no mention of the number of clients.
I am sure the meals are of a high quality but no mention of who prepares.
No mention of the number of dedicated volunteers who keep the service operating.
It would be helpful for anyone who may wish to use this service to have had contact information and an idea of the meal charge, which can be from $4.50 in hardship cases up to $16.10 full cost. Currently the Department of Health recommended fee for meals is $8.70.
And as to funding, try and find the net cost to ratepayers for this program from the published budget papers. There is a government subsidy of $3.23 per meal which might just cover the administrative overheads.
Finally, the caption referring to 20,000 meals a year is not accurate. It may well be correct for the last year of the service - financial year or calendar year is not stated. In the 2016/17 financial year 300 council volunteers provided 24,890 meals on wheels to 377 clients. Why are the numbers in decline?
Don McLean, Warragul