Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, and Chief Executive Officer, Fiona Le Gassick, welcomed the Governor on Thursday 14 August, with the tour commencing with a visit to the Shepparton Sports City Precinct and the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence. Council spoke about the proposed Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, an ambitious project aimed at establishing a regionally and nationally significant hub for sport, entertainment, and events.
At the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, the Governor explored the state-of-the-art facility one year after its official opening. Designed as a transformative space for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, Munarra serves as a beacon of connection and cultural exchange. The tour continued with a visit to the Aboriginal Street Art Project on Fryers Street, initiated in 2016 to honour local Aboriginal leaders and celebrate their culture through vibrant public art.
The group then took a tour of Kalafatis Fresh Produce in Shepparton, recognising our status as an agricultural powerhouse and the ‘Food Bowl of Australia’.
“With our region being a major producer of fruit, vegetables and dairy products, our agricultural strength contributes significantly to Victoria’s economy and global exports. It was important we were able to show this to the Governor, to recognise the important role our agricultural industry plays in the success of the state,” Cr Sali said.
A flood recovery session was held at Princess Park, providing the Governor with insights into the community’s response to the October 2022 flood event. Council shared updates on infrastructure repairs, including the Princess Park Multi-Use Events Pavilion development and the Lenne Street Drainage Upgrade works, and discussed initiatives such as the Resilience in Recovery Program and long-term flood mitigation planning.
“The Governor showed great interest in the October 2022 flood event and the amazing response and recovery efforts from the wider community. We spoke about important infrastructure updates and the long-term flood modelling and planning which Council is continuing to undertake to ensure we are better prepared to understand and respond to any future emergency situations,” Cr Sali said.
Day one concluded with a Civic Reception at the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), where community leaders and members engaged with the Governor. The reception celebrated local contributions and highlighted Greater Shepparton’s aspirations and achievements.
On Friday, day two of the tour, the Governor visited the Shepparton Albanian Mosque, the oldest purpose-built mosque in Victoria, followed by tours of Kaiela Arts and the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), where she viewed the Brett Whiteley exhibition ‘Inside the Studio’.
The final stop was the Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE), which showcases the history of transportation and the region’s strong ties to the transport industry, including the Kenworth Dealer Truck Pavilion.
Cr Sali said the visit was an ideal opportunity to share our region’s story and demonstrate our vital role in driving Victoria’s economy.
“We are deeply grateful for the recognition the Governor has afforded our region and community, providing the opportunity for our community to connect with her, share personal stories, and reflect on our region’s potential,” he said.
Quotes attributable to Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, Governor of Victoria:
“During my time in Greater Shepparton, and in the broader region, I have met with people who have been generous in sharing their time and their expertise.”
“I have seen firsthand the important contributions they are making to the local community, its culture, and its economy.”
“My overwhelming sense of Greater Shepparton is that it is home to people with a clear vision for the future.”
