General News
16 July, 2026
Let’s work on welcome
PASSIONATE people in the Wedderburn community were needed to shape a new welcome hub for the town when Loddon Shire relocated the official visitor information centre to Bridgewater, said Robyn Vella.
PASSIONATE people in the Wedderburn community were needed to shape a new welcome hub for the town when Loddon Shire relocated the official visitor information centre to Bridgewater, said Robyn Vella.
The former shire tourism co-ordinator and stalwart of Wedderburn tourism has called for the establishment of a working group to plan next steps.
The visitor information centre is located with other community services in the former school on Wilson Street.
But the shire council last month voted to move the centre to Bridgewater and review operations in three years.
“I don;t object toi the VIC going to Bridgewater as long as it’s not detrimental to the Wedderburn Community Centre ... the majority of visitors do come from the south so Bridgewater is the gateway but Wedderburn is the entry point for those travelling from the north,” she said.
“Wedderburn can make an exceptional welcome hub under the new model ... what we currently have can be made better.
“Passionate people in a passionate community will be the answer. and there needs to be a working group established to help transition to the new hub.”
Robyn said the change was an opportunity for greater co-ordination of tourism services.
“For those coming in through Bridgewater, that will hopefully see visitors directed to other towns and attractions in the shire - where in the south around Tarnagulla, to Wedderburn or in the north,” she said.
“Everyone wants more people to be coming to the shire, stopping, staying and spending money.
“For Wedderburn to embrace the new role as a welcome hub, we need all the commmunity centre stakeholders involved in discussions and a working group growing partnerships to make it work.”
The Wedderburn tourist hub will have volunteers sharing information with visitors. Council has allocated $300,000 to transform a vacant shop into the new visitor information centre in Bridgewater.
- CHRIS EARL
Read More: Wedderburn, Loddon Shire