Noojee punches above its weight
Town wins bronze
It is not the biggest town in Baw Baw Shire but Noojee had the spotlight shone on it last week when it was a winner at the State Tourism Awards.
Noojee was awarded a bronze in the Top Tiny Tourism Towns category for towns with a population of fewer than 1500 people.
The awards are judged on a written submission, consumer review and public vote and finalists stretched from as far as Mildura in the far north-west of the state to Lakes Entrance in the east.
At the announcement of winners at Healesville on Wednesday Tourism Minister Steve Dimopoulus said the awards recognised the value tourism brought to country towns and communities and showcased the diversity of regional destinations.
They also recognised the diversity the towns offer visitors and their ability to collaborate with tourism operators, local businesses and the wider community.
Noojee was noted for its rich heritage as an historic timber town on the banks of the Latrobe River and some spectacular and wellknown attractions including the Noojee trestle bridge, the tallest surviving wooden trestle bridge in the state; Toorongo Falls, the Noojee hotel and as a central point for trips to Mt Baw Baw and other scenic district areas and towns.
Noojee resident Phillip Atkinson was also a winner on awards night.
He was drawn from the thousands of members of the public across the state that voted for their favourite towns in the public vote.
The short time it took him to lodge his vote online won him a weekend for two at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, dining vouchers and a visit to The Lume digital art gallery.
Noojee proudly adopted the "All Kinds of Wonder" brand for its successful campaign, which was produced by local creative agency The View From Here.
Destination Gippsland chief executive Terry Robinson said the success of Noojee and Lakes Entrance in the Top Tourism Town Awards was a credit to the quality of the visitor experience and the special place that these destinations hold in the hearts of visitors who return year on year.
The gold award was won by Mt Macedon, while silver went to Timboon.