During the break between sitting weeks, I had the great pleasure of opening the Apollo Bay Seafood Festival, a fantastic event that celebrates the amazing local produce of Bass Strait and the unique heritage of this seaside village. Thanks must go to organisers Bill Hurley-Fraser, Marcus Nolle and Bob Knowles and festival founders Cate Thomas, Yvette Hill and Trish Goodlet. Their stellar efforts in attracting hundreds of visitors during the ongoing travel ban due to the coronavirus must be commended. Visitation to Apollo Bay and right along the Great Ocean Road is severely reduced. Accommodation providers, traders and tourism operators are doing it tough, so I urge everyone to take a trip down the Great Ocean Road. Stay a few nights and explore the magnificent Otways, the sweeping surf beaches, our fabulous local produce and our native wildlife. There is certainly a generosity of spirit that exists in our seaside towns.

In Apollo Bay, the local chamber of commerce has just announced local accommodation providers will donate 25 weeks of accommodation to firefighters who have fought to protect our nation's families and homes during the devastation of the past few months. Local bakery proprietor Sally Cannon will even throw in one of her fabulous scallop pies and a loaf of bread for every visiting firefighter and family. So do come along and explore the region. I'm sure you will have a great time.