General News
18 October, 2023
Golden stories pan to Dipper's TV camera
WHAT started as a chance stopover enjoying a pie in Inglewood has seen retired champion footballer turned television presenter Robert DiPierdomenico make an enthusiastic return to discover stories of the Loddon. He spent last week trotting around...
WHAT started as a chance stopover enjoying a pie in Inglewood has seen retired champion footballer turned television presenter Robert DiPierdomenico make an enthusiastic return to discover stories of the Loddon.
He spent last week trotting around Loddon towns filming segments for his travel program.
Every corner of the Loddon Shire was travelled over five days talking to locals, visiting tourist attractions and sampling local food and wine.
“It’s always nice to know your backyard,” the AFL star known as Dipper said during a break in filming at Bridgewater.
“The stories I have been hearing ... of gold, the eucy distilleries ... it’s about the community, the people and their stories.
“I’ve been in a pub and a bloke pulls up a chair. He tells you stories about the gold.
“It’s addictive to understand the story and every story is true and a couple of glasses of local red help (in telling the story.
“I’m hearing good stories and the locals tell good stories.”
Dipper said he chanced across Loddon communities when returning to his Rosebud home from St Arnaud last year.
“I stopped in Inglewood - I like rollicking in antique stores and now I’m back,” he said.
Dipper’s collectable craze is old model car kits that he can assemble.
He said the television show helped people learn about what was in Victoria’s backyard and be encouraged people to explore country areas.
“I’ll be coming back here. Might buy my own gold metal detector and make my own stories.”
His visit to Loddon communities last week was a collaboration with Loddon Tourism.
Dipper’s visit to Kooyoora State Park came in the same week DJAARA launched the first of its cultural tours in the park. The destination program is one of two that feature Dipper. Another is backyard barbecue wars.
He played 240 games with Hawthorn and featured in five premiership sides, sharing the 1989 Brownlow Medal with Sydney’s Greg Williams.
The Loddon segments will screen early next year.