Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell, tourism support officer Karen Colvin, tourism, arts and culture manager David Hughes and tourism development manager Cheryl Hammer accepting the VTIC Tourism Town bronze award. Photo: Supplied
Regional Victorian tourism was proudly celebrated at the Victoria Tourism Industry Council’s Top Tourism Town awards, with Echuca receiving a coveted nod.
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About 200 people from across the state gathered at Shepparton’s Museum of Vehicle Evolution for the awards ceremony and Summit Gala Dinner on Wednesday, July 23.
A finalist in the Top Tourism Town category, Echuca received the bronze award, behind Ballarat in second and Warrnambool, which took the top gong.
Attendees from across the state gathered at Shepparton’s MOVE for the Top Tourism Town awards ceremony.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
A panel of nine judges also awarded the Top Small Tourism Town honour to Mount Beauty, with Port Fairy winning silver and Portarlington bronze.
The Top Tiny Tourism Town was awarded to Trentham, with Halls Gap winning silver and Whitfield bronze.
Pam Boyes and Lana Horn travelled from Baw Baw.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell was delighted to represent the town and shire on the night.
“It was awesome to attend the VTIC Top Tourism Town awards, and I would like to congratulate Echuca and the wonderful people who helped in achieving the bronze award,” he said.
“Special mention goes to the talented and dedicated tourism team who drove the nomination, and to all those who help make Echuca the town it is.”
Renae Cooper, Alisha Harding and Amber Ferguson travelled from Phillip Island for the awards.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Victoria Tourism Industry Council acting chief executive Chris Porter said the fantastic event brought “regional tourism to life”, and was a good opportunity to showcase the unique venue.
“I think it even surprised attendees,” he said.
Mr Porter said Shepparton, one of the 25 finalist towns, was a great destination to host the awards and the Victorian Tourism Summit, which was in town from Tuesday, July 22 to Thursday, July 24.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council acting chief executive Chris Porter.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“The value of these conferences is that they drive future visitation,” he said
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase regional Victoria.”
The awards have been running for five years, with 2025 seeing the most amount of finalists since 2021.
Mr Porter said the number of attendees at the awards night had also gone up after combining the event with the summit for the first time.
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali thanked everyone for travelling from far and wide across the state to gather at MOVE.
Guests were greeted with a two-piece acoustic band as they arrived and began networking for the first part of the evening.
Olivia Evans-Smith emceed the night.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Emcee Olivia Evans-Smith then kicked off the speeches, which were eventually followed by dinner and the awards.
Echuca was among the finalists for the fourth year running.
There were about 200 attendees at the awards.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Jennifer Gome, Top Tourism judge Alysya Brandenburg and Richard Pansford.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
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