Seizing the Opportunity
Why the Goulburn Valley Must Lead Victoria’s Future
By Eugenie Stragalinos, Chair — Destination Goulburn Valley
When I spoke on camera this week, I thought about what makes the Goulburn Valley unique — our rich soils, our proud growers, and the way our region has quietly fed and sustained Victoria for generations. From orchards heavy with stone fruit, to world-class dairy, to the people behind the hands that harvest, we are the living proof that regional Victoria is the engine room of the state.
That’s why the Victorian Chamber’s landmark report, Seizing the Opportunity: The Unlimited Potential of Victoria’s Regions, matters so deeply. It isn’t just another report — it’s a recognition of what we live every day here in the Goulburn Valley. It’s Future Industries is targeting seven key sectors - agriculture, food manufacturing, energy, logistics, tourism, and more as industries where our regions can not only contribute, but lead. These sectors leverage our region’s advantages.
For us, that means orchards and dairies powering export markets. It means Shepparton’s food bowl producing clean, high-quality produce that’s renowned around the world. It means local manufacturers and processors investing in technology and skills. It means our towns hosting cultural festivals and events that draw visitors and showcase our diversity.
But it also means being honest about the challenges we face: housing shortages, skill gaps, and infrastructure that needs investment to match the scale of our ambition. These aren’t reasons to slow down — they’re reasons to act now.
The Chamber’s call for “Future Industry Deals” gives us a clear way forward: coordinated partnerships between government, business and community to ensure that when our industries grow, our communities grow with them.
At Destination Goulburn Valley, we see this as a once-in-a-generation chance. If we seize it, we can deliver jobs, opportunities, and a stronger visitor economy, while ensuring that the people who live here — in our towns, on our farms, along our river — share in the prosperity.
The Goulburn Valley has always been proud to carry the mantle of “Australia’s food bowl.” With the right focus, we can take that mantle into the future, showing that the path to a stronger Victoria begins right here.
