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Back to the Latrobe Valley – reconnects a communityLatrobeFirst, a regional marketing campaign designed to promote the Latrobe Valley, is considering running a ‘Back to the Latrobe Valley’ on the Queen’s Birthday Weekend in June. By Latrobe City Council - 9th March 2004 - Back to News . Inspired in part by the ‘Champions of the Bush’ campaign, LatrobeFirst is assessing the feasibility of a full scale version of the ‘Back to…’ concept never seen before in Australia.
Latrobe City CEO and Chairperson of the Latrobe Valley Ministerial Taskforce Marketing Advisory Panel Richard Hancock said: ‘We have been considering this concept for some time and we think that the Latrobe Valley may be uniquely placed for this type of program.
The Latrobe Valley has shown clear signs of economic and social recovery over the past three years. There is a renewed sense of optimism that has been generated through the LatrobeFirst campaign and the workings of the Latrobe Valley Ministerial Taskforce.
‘Back to the Latrobe Valley’ will give people the opportunity to celebrate their pride and passion in their own community as well as welcome former residents who have not had a reason to return for some time.
Thousands of people left the Latrobe Valley with the restructure of the SECV. They left at a time when the region was experiencing extremely difficult circumstances and many have a sense of loss at leaving their region.
Mr Hancock continued: ‘We want people who have a connection with the region to see how things have moved on. There is more work to be done, but there are strong signs of recovery.’
Darren Chester, Executive Officer Champions of the Bush is delighted: ‘We understand that ‘Back to the Latrobe Valley’ has been on the drawing board for a couple of months. If our ‘Back to the Bush’ promotion over the Labour Day Weekend is able to inspire regions to take the concept further, we know that we are having a positive impact.’
If community support for this concept is strong, it is envisaged that community events will be staged in every township in the Latrobe Valley on Saturday 12th June, a Latrobe Valley Day celebrations will be held at a suitable central location on Sunday 13th June. This will give past and present community members the opportunity to celebrate within their own communities as well as to celebrate the unity and diversity of the region on the following day
Mr Hancock concluded: ‘To build the concept to its full potential we will need the support of the broader community. We have over 350 Ambassadors signed up to the LatrobeFirst Campaign and we will talk to them and other leaders from communities across the Latrobe Valley to encourage them to celebrate the reunion of friends, work mates and relatives.’
Comment and input is now sought from the broader community. People who wish to seek further more information they can contact Latrobe City on 1300 367 700.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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