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Shire gives it a red-hot Dip

Alexander ScottPilbara News
Jake Edwards and Robert DiPierdomenico
Camera IconJake Edwards and Robert DiPierdomenico Credit: Picture: Outside the locker room

Football great Robert “Dipper” DiPierdomenico could soon be the face of tourism in the Pilbara outback.

Shire of Ashburton councillors passed a motion to amend the 2020-2021 budget to include $53,440 for a tourism campaign including the retired fan favourite at an ordinary meeting this month.

The campaign would include the Shire being featured on a full 30-minute episode of Dipper’s Destinations and a social media campaign to align with the Ashburton special. Last year the Shire engaged in a media, tourism and wellbeing campaign with DiPierdomenico, with an episode of Dipper’s Destinations focusing on tourism and economic growth in the Shire of Ashburton, in particular the town of Onslow.

Filming took place in October last year, and the episode was aired in May.

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An officers’ report said another episode could attract thousands of people to the region with the correct planning and funding.

Shire of Ashburton president Kerry White said the potential to promote and boost tourism opportunities in the Shire of Ashburton was vital to regenerate and re-ignite the local economy.

“This proposal for Dipper’s Destinations extends across all four towns within Ashburton and benefits local and regional businesses, in addition to community members and tourists,” she said.

“There is potential to showcase the natural wonders and beauty of our region to thousands of people and encourage them to travel intrastate and explore, while promoting the Shire as a favoured holiday experience to all of Australia when our State borders reopen in the future.”

Ms White said the campaign would also provide an opportunity to promote mental health support and wellbeing.

“During his visit to the region, Dipper can build on his Stigma Stops Here initiative and previous workshops with local schools, sporting clubs and community groups in Onslow to extend a program to our inland towns on this visit,” she said.

The proposal is subject to the five-time Hawthorn premiership player being approved by the WA Government to travel interstate.

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