THE third Loddon Valley Arts Trail will have a patron and ambassador promoting the weekend event showcasing the shire’s creatives in October.
Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh is the first person to be appointed to the role ahead of July’s announcement of the trail’s program
The MP, born and raised in Boort, was a farmer before being elected to State Parliament in 2002. Mr Walsh said he was pleased to put his support behind Loddon Valley Arts Trail as it develops an ambitious network of exhibitions and events.
“Loddon Valley Arts Trail is an exciting initiative, creating a new way for people to come and experience the many interesting places in the shire,” Mr Walsh said.
“I believe by linking towns and venues in places all well worth a visit, and by exhibiting artists and makers in surprising ways, this will prove to be trailblazing
project in the arts world and congratulate everyone involved in the concept,” he said.
“With my own story, and my family’s, so embedded in Loddon, from Boort where I was born and the wider district where I grew up and we farmed, to places such as Kingower, where I helped restore the church built there by my great grandfather – who was such a pioneer in the area – I am delighted, and honoured, to have been invited to be the inaugural patron of this unique and ambitious project.”
Loddon Valley Arts Trail, now in its third year, is a Loddon Shire Council initiative organised by a volunteer committee in collaboration with venues and artists across the shire.
“This year, we are taking a big step forward, by inviting regional artists to show their work in some of Loddon’s fabulous heritage venues,” organiser Rosemary Sorensen said.
“The support of people such as Peter Walsh is crucial to this development, so we are very proud to have him as our inaugural patron. 
“As we criss-cross the shire, meeting people and working with them to create arts and crafts exhibitions that will be special for each venue, we are building an event that is truly unique.”
Loddon Valley Arts Trail will run on the first weekend of October and include the new Eucy Art Show at the Eucalyptus Distillery Museum in Inglewood.