Geoff Lyons (Bass, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to warmly congratulate Mark and Sarah Hirst from my electorate of Bass, who were last week announced as successful applicants in the federal government's Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund grants program. Hirst Holdings was offered $73,000 under the program for expansion of its bottle shop, kitchen and tasting area at the Lilydale Larder to better meet the high expectations of this growing interstate and international visitor market. This project fits alongside the couple's existing business, the Leaning Church Vineyard. The Lilydale Larder project will bring together some of Tasmania's best locally grown produce under one roof. Sarah and Mark have proven their capacity to deliver quality tourism attractions. This has been recognised by their recent accolade, winning the 2011 State Tourism Award for Wineries, Distilleries and Boutique Breweries, as well as the 2011 Launceston Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Visitor Experience award. Sarah was also a finalist in the 2012 Telstra Business Women Awards.

I again congratulate Mark and Sarah on this achievement and look forward to visiting the Lilydale Larder and the Leaning Church Vineyard in the near future to sample more of their terrific produce.