Event aims to show off Ferguson Valley

A three-day event showcasing the Ferguson Valley will go ahead next September thanks to funding from the Dardanup Shire Council.

At a meeting last week, the council supported a request from Ferguson Valley Marketing Inc for a Regional Event grant contribution of $10,000 towards the “Lost and Found” event scheduled for September, 2021.

The application from Ferguson Valley Marketing Inc is the first to be received under the council’s new Community & Events Grants Policy which was adopted in July.

The event is set to bring between 1800 and 4500 visitors from outside the Dardanup shire to the Valley with visitors expected to stay for up to three days.

Ferguson Valley Marketing Inc chairman Phil Smith is looking forward to seeing the event come to life.

“We are really excited about the whole concept and how it’s going to work,” Mr Smith said.

“The concept is similar to the Ferguson Found where we support and mentor industry to create events within that three day time frame.

The events are not just wine and food related, they can be anything from a cycle race to a long table dinner, they’re limited only by people without an imagination.

Mr Smith said the Ferguson Valley Marketing Inc team had been working closely with the Bunbury City Council.

“The idea is to raise the profile of both the Shire of Dardanup, Ferguson Valley and the City of Bunbury and bring people in to experience it,” Mr Smith said.

“It’s all part of a major promotion campaign for the region with the aim of increasing tourism and tourism spend and the affluence of the area.

“We don't have enough accommodation here in the Valley, but have a great hinterland of activities for people visiting Bunbury, so it seemed natural to liaise with them.”

Dardanup shire president Mick Bennett said the funding request for $10,000 would be used to cover marketing fees ($8000) and program advertising ($2000).

“It will be fantastic to be attracting such a large number of people throughout the Valley as well as the region,” Mr Bennett said.

“The event will have a flow-on effect for the region and hopefully will encourage visitors to see what the South West has to offer.”