Vol. No. Vol. 2118No. 2 27
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SMILE: Billie Ward makes friends with a blue-tongue lizard at Dimboola Recreation Reserve during a visit from Jamie and Kim’s Mobile Zoo. Wimmera Regional Library Corporation hosted the zoo at several of its branches as part of school holiday activities. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER
Dimboola power P
BY DEAN LAWSON
lans to establish Dimboola as the western Victorian base for a unique type of engineering challenge will gain momentum next month.
Dimboola Human Powered Vehicle Expo organisers are confident the August 5 attraction has the potential to evolve into one of the biggest events on the Wimmera calendar. Hindmarsh Shire Council is developing the concept after a successful trial at Dimboola Recreation Reserve last year attracted 150 participants, riders and support teams. The State Government also recognised the event’s potential, announcing earlier this year it would provide
$8000 from Visit Victoria’s Regional Events Fund to support the expo. Organisers have also sought Federal Government funding. HPV events, challenges and races involve teams, mainly from schools, clubs and organisations considering everything from aerodynamics and materials to energy efficiency and engineer human-powered and powerassisted vehicles. Long-running HPV events at Murray Bridge in South Australia and Maryborough have attracted thousands of visitors for many years. Many Wimmera schools have embraced HPV programs and take teams away to participate in events. Hindmarsh council tourism and eco-
“There is going to be about 180 drivers and support team members involved this year, with somewhere between 20 and 24 vehicles on the track at one time,” Mr Woodward said. “There are teams coming from places including Ballarat, Hamilton, Mt Gambier and Millicent, as well as from across the Wimmera. “It is not a race, more of a demonstration challenge, but perhaps, in a couple of years down the track, we could develop it into having an official racing formula. “There is considerable potential and we see Dimboola strongly placed to promote interstate rivalries between Victorian and South Australian teams. “We might even consider establish-
nomic development officer Jeff Woodward said expectations were that a crowd of between 500 and 1000 people would attend the Dimboola expo. “The potential is there to establish an event in Dimboola that eventually can consistently attract more than 1000 people into the town,” he said. “We’re also making the most of an outstanding recreation reserve, which already has a strong reputation for its ability to host major events such as sporting grand finals and regattas.”
Travelling teams
The expo involves teams testing their vehicles on a roughly 1.2-kilometre circuit that makes the most of an access road that meanders its way throughout the park.
ing a state-of-origin challenge. We expect it to continually get bigger and better. One of the key points is that it is the only event of its type in western Victoria.” Last year’s trial was the result of Holy Trinity Lutheran College in Horsham, which has a HPV program and teams, approaching the Hindmarsh council in search of an appropriate racing and training venue. Mr Woodward said plans were also underway to provide support attractions such as a live band, activities and games at next month’s expo. The main access road into the Dimboola reserve will be closed during the event. All vehicle access will be limited to one entry and exit point.
IN THIS ISSUE • Silo Art Trail expansion • Regional recycling challenge • Football-netball coverage
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