My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Tourism and Major Events in the
other place. For the last three years in May the Great Ocean Road International
Marathon has been run between Lorne and Apollo Bay. The event is promoted as a
festival of distance running and encompasses four events over two days for
runners of all abilities.
The inaugural Great Ocean Road International Marathon was held
in May 2005 when Tourism Victoria supported the events with an allocation of $20
000. In 2006 and 2007 Tourism Victoria supported the marathon with funding of
$25 000 for each year. This event has historically attracted a large number of
competitors, increasing each year since its inaugural year.
In 2005 there were approximately 1275 runners, with the number
of competitors increasing in 2007 to almost 2000, including the minister
himself, as well as 34 overseas competitors and 163 interstate competitors. In
the past this event has proved to be very successful in its promotion of the
state’s sports-tourism strength, and has indeed attracted some national and
international media interest.
I strongly encourage the minister to consider funding the event
for a fourth year and reinforcing the state government’s commitment to
supporting regional events and further promoting the Great Ocean Road.