House debates

Monday, 25 May 2015

Statements by Members

Indi Electorate: Winton Motor Raceway

4:12 pm

Photo of Cathy McGowanCathy McGowan (Indi, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

I would like to share one of Indi's gems with the House: Winton—motor racing's bush capital—and last weekend's V8 super car race, to the entertainment of 15,000 visitors.

Special thanks go to Brian Pearson, CEO; Wayne Williams, manager of operations; and Peter Lawrence, who is the president, for the very warm hospitality they extended to my special guest, Senator Ricky Muir, to his wife, Kerri-Anne, and to their excellently-behaved children. I would like to name them: Dylan, Phoenix, William, Tarja and Tristan. They are a great value family.

I would also like to thank Winton Motor Raceway for the hospitality they extend to everybody who comes to this wonderful part of north-eastern Victoria. Winton Motor Raceway is open 50 weeks of the year, seven days a week. It employs 30 people full-time, and on race days over 350 officials and close to 200 volunteers. On average it has 300,000 visitors per year, with an estimated regional impact of $36 million per year. With the V8 three-day event last weekend, $15 million and 185 full-time jobs were invested into our economy.

Congratulations to all concerned. Thanks for a great day and, best of all, to the V8s: long may they reign!

Photo of Ewen JonesEwen Jones (Herbert, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for Indi. I will call your Victoria's Winton and raise you the birthplace of The Man from Snowy River in Queensland's Winton!