The Mildura electorate has once again proven that regional Victoria can deliver world-class events, with thousands of visitors flocking to the region recently for the spectacular Balloons over Mildura and the iconic Hattah Desert Race.
From colourful dawn launches over the Murray River to the dust and excitement of one of Australia’s toughest off-road races, the events highlighted not only the region’s unique landscapes but the community spirit that makes them possible.
The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, said the success of both events was something the whole community should be proud of.
“Once again we’ve shown that regional communities don’t just host great events—we host world-class events,” Ms Benham said.
“The Mildura electorate continues to punch above its weight, welcoming visitors from across the country and putting our region in the spotlight for all the right reasons.”
Behind the scenes, hundreds of volunteers dedicated countless hours to ensuring both events ran safely and successfully. More than 300 volunteers support the Hattah Desert Race each year, while Balloons over Mildura relied on a substantially smaller volunteer workforce.
“These events simply wouldn’t happen without our volunteers,” Ms Benham said.
“Whether they’re helping before sunrise with balloons or marshalling competitors at Hattah, they’re the reason these events continue to be such a success. They deserve enormous thanks for everything they do.”
Ms Benham said the events also demonstrated why regional Victoria deserves continued investment.
“When people invest in regions like ours, we deliver. We have the people, the passion and the capability to host events that bring visitors, support local businesses and showcase everything that makes the Mildura electorate such a special place.”
