These bold and intuitive works explore and portray some of the relationships or not, (distances) between mainly elderly, traditional, farming couples - their reaction, or not, of each individual to the other as well as individually toward the environment in which they find themselves. Robert's paintings are rich in the application of the paint and vibrant colours and gestural marks of his linocuts echo the brushstrokes of his paintings.
With direct access to rich offshore fishing grounds one of Australia’s largest fishing fleets safely harbours in the Port of Lakes Entrance. And Mallacoota in the far east is the base for a thriving abalone industry. Fish catches are supplied direct to markets in Melbourne and Sydney, as well as internationally, and sustain a strong local seafood focus to tourism within the region.
The thriving multi-million dollar East Gippsland fishing industry is the largest employer of this sector in regional Victoria. Well over 80 species of fish are caught, including flathead, school whiting, trevally, shark, orange roughy and blue grenadier, together with abalone, scallop, prawn and crayfish.
The fishing industry presents genuine opportunities for marine-related businesses to flourish. Fish processing and the provision of goods and services to the fleet provide viable business options as demonstrated by the successful Lakes Entrance Fishing Co operative Ltd (LEFCOL). LEFCOL not only processes and transports fish for the markets, but operates a retail outlet and chandlery in Lakes Entrance. LEFCOL services between 80 to100 vessels and handles approximately 4.5 million kilos of fish annually. It has 2 blast freeze tunnels with 32 tonne capacity and a large holding room with product capacity of 100 tonnes. Opportunities still exist for heavy and light industry support to the fleet, including in the areas of computerized communications, fish detection and navigation systems.
An example of a successful commercial seafood enterprise is the abalone industry in Mallacoota situated in the far east of the region. Here a local co-operative with a staff of over 30 is strategically sited close to the product source. 21 licence holders sell their catch through the co-operative with the entire community receiving ongoing benefits. This multi-million dollar industry processes locally harvested abalone for the lucrative export industry and with excellent highway links to Melbourne and Sydney transportation is viable and efficient.
Aquaculture is an opportunity not to be missed with demand for seafood growing daily in all major markets. East Gippsland is perfectly placed to embrace an expansion in aquaculture and provides a pristine environment, abundance of suitable land and ample support from a mature fishing service industry.
Further information is available from the East Gippsland Shire Economic Development Unit (see the link below) to assist you obtain the best results from your investment. Lets us help you grow your fishing industry business in East Gippsland.
Australia’s Coastal Wilderness National Landscape was launched by the Federal Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP last Friday 1 August in Torquay in association with the launch of the Great Ocean Road National Landscape.
The Launch was attended by a number of East Gippslanders including Chair of the Australia’s Coastal Wilderness Steering Committee Phil Rickards who is also the Tourism Coordinator for the East Gippsland Shire.
In his address, Minister Ferguson acknowledged that whilst he would have liked very much to have launched each of the eight individual landscapes in each region, due to time constraints that had not been possible. However, he said he hoped to be able to visit the Australia’s Coastal Wilderness region at some stage in the future.
The Minister acknowledged the work of the Steering Committees in getting their respective landscapes accepted into the program.
“I would particularly like to welcome members of the landscapes steering committees who I know are passionately enthused about this project. Enthusiasm in a service-oriented industry such as tourism is critical. So is innovation and I believe the National Landscapes Program will provide the impetus for Australia as a nation to view the relationship between tourism and our natural landscapes in an innovative light.
“Much like the members of the Steering Committees, I am passionately enthused by the natural beauty of Australia. I do believe the landscapes which surround us are unparalleled in their beauty. In the fiercely competitive world of tourism they present us with enormous opportunity and point of difference.
Who would not want to visit those National Landscapes already launched, they being The Australian Alps, Australia’s Red Centre, The Flinders Ranges, Australia’s Green Cauldron and the Greater Blue Mountains? I am pleased today to add the Great Ocean Road and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness to the list of regions included in the National Landscapes Program
“To qualify as a National Landscape the location must be a world-class landscape of natural, cultural and spiritual assets, distinctive to Australia.
“Australia’s Coastal Wilderness has a significance which has long been internationally recognized. It is a site of more than national significance and includes Croajingolong National Park which was in 1977 proclaimed a World Biosphere Region by UNESCO.”
“The landscapes I am announcing today have been included in this unique program because they are more than just a group of appealing destinations. They are regions, which as a whole, are much greater than just the sum of their parts. They are distinctively Australian natural and cultural environments. And they will appeal to Tourism Australia’s target market, experience seekers; travelers of all ages who wish to experience new adventures and destinations which enable them to engage with a local culture.
“I congratulate the steering committees for the Great Ocean Road and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness on achieving National Landscape status for these wonderful regions”, concluded Minister Ferguson.
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