Regional Victorians

Did you know... Around the world, communities are reaping the rewards of revering their birdlife. In the US, birdwatching is a $41 billion industry. After just ten years, "The Biggest Week in American Birding Festival" has put Northwest Ohio on the International map, with over 90,000 visitors from 52 countries coming to this one area for a week bringing their $40 million with them. In Columbia, quieting war zones have given rise to locals being able to prosper from birdwatche

We hope the Andrews Government enjoyed a relaxing Easter break with their loved ones. ....we tried to. Whilst only a small number of shooters this year, our Easter break was still ruined by often incessant unpoliced gunfire in close proximity to our homes. The shores of our precious waterways were still littered with decapitated and mangled native waterbirds, their intestines strewn across the landscape for children to stumble across. This is not what we pay significant amoun

Our children should not have to grow up with gunfire, violence and cruelty. PLEASE, CLICK ON THIS POST to ADD YOUR VOICE. We sincerely apologise to those who may find this disturbingly graphic. Sadly, this is not the worst of what our children find, whilst innocently walking around the otherwise beautiful public waterways which rural Victoria is blessed with. In a modern caring society, these waterways should be utilised in a more ethical, sustainable, safe and humane way. Pl

Its about the Victoria our grandchildren will grow up in. More figures show a global trend towards peaceful nature appreciation. Birding brings big bucks. With small rural Victorian towns struggling economically (SGS Economics & Planning), yet affording us stunning waterways which would rival Kakadu, the solution is clear. Its time to protect and leverage our nature assets across the state. UNEP (United Nations Environment Program), has found that ecotourism is growing six ti

Click the post to see both pictures. Which is more popular? Which is safer, more ethical, humane and sustainable? If you answered the picture on the left, you passed the intelligence test and you are one of 99.96% of Victorians. Less than half of a percent of the population shoot waterbirds, an activity which has been proven to be inhumane and unable to be policed or controlled at the multitudes of waterways around our state. Many of these waterways are not only home to a gro

Rural Victorians are applauding the government's decision to support a new wetlands tourism project at Lake Tyrrell. The tiny town is now predicted to see visitor numbers increase from 42,000 to 192,000 per year by 2025, bringing a massive revenue boost to the area. Given the state of Victorias rural economies, it's great to see the government hopefully getting on board with the growing and highly lucrative trend of nature tourism. The recent Auditor General’s Report followed