DESPITE not winning the top gong at the Keep Australia Beautiful Victoria awards, Walhalla volunteers promise to continue to promote the popular tourist destination.
Following its first nomination, the Walhalla Heritage and Development League was a finalist in the Cultural Heritage category of the KABV awards.
Vice-president Brian Brewer said the volunteers were thrilled with the results.
Despite losing to Lake Boga Lions Club Catalina Museum during Saturday’s awards announcement, Mr Brewer said the strong results motivated the volunteers to apply again for the 2013 awards.
“We will obviously be looking at nominating again, maybe even in a different category because the town itself would be a classic for the awards because everyone takes pride in their properties,” Mr Brewer said.
Following a Ghost Tour customer’s suggestion to nominate for the awards, Mr Brewer said the township had thoroughly impressed the judges, who had promised to return.
The league contributes to attracting about 150,000 tourist each year by operating as the town’s historical society, tourism activity Ghost Tours operator, town’s tourism information centre and local post office.
“Making the finals this year is another award we have on the wall in the post office,” he said.
“Next year’s (application) we won’t do anything differently because we are all volunteers and do as much as we can with limited time.”
Yarragon and District Community Association, Yarragon Railway Station Centenary Project were also finalists in the awards.
