Today at Toora all is bright!

CHANNEL 9’s ‘Today Show’ helped put Toora on the map last Wednesday, beaming the national weather forecast out around the nation with weather presenter Steve Jacobs live from Toora Tourist Park.

The Caravan, RV and Accommodation Industry of Australia organised the live cross as a way of encouraging people to holiday in Australia – by caravan in particular – and to promote the South Gippsland district.

“Toora Tourist Park is a great place for a family holiday, with lots for the kids to do,” said Keelan Howard from CRVA. “This is a great opportunity to promote the caravanning industry, and also let people know that after all the inclement weather the district has endured there is now full access to Wilsons Promontory National Park and other local attractions.”

“What a great opportunity to showcase this beautiful area!” said Rachel Brown, co-proprietor of Toora Tourist Park with husband Andrew.

Rachel and Andrew were thrilled to welcome the six members of the ‘Today Show’ crew and two CRVA representatives to their park – and relieved that the weather held. There was glorious sunshine while the television cameras were on Toora, showing the district at its sparkling best, although there was dirty weather to come later in the day – just as weather man Steve warned.

Steve said that it was his first visit to Toora, though friends had been urging him to visit Wilsons Promontory for a long time, and he is now keen to come back to South Gippsland – when he has time. His is a frantic schedule, with the ‘Today Show’ sending its weather man all around Australia – and the world. He was due to broadcast from the National Institute of Circus Arts the day after Toora. Soon he will be off to New York and later in the year New Zealand.

With six live crosses between 6am and 9am, Toora Tourist Park was given lots of opportunity to catch the eyes of the nation, as a great base from which to explore the Prom and other regional attractions or as a holiday destination in itself.

The ‘Today Show’ filmed children having fun at the tourist park – bouncing on the giant pillow and enjoying a pancake breakfast cooked by Rachel’s mother – and former South Gippsland Shire Councillor – Heather Bligh.

“If you’re looking for a magnificent place to holiday, this – the south-east corner of Australia – is one of the most scenic,” Steve Jacobs told his television audience.

He told them how he had dined at the Toora pub the night before and relished the fresh seafood on the menu. The 8.30am weather cross showed him enjoying a barbecue meal cooked up by Alice Duncan of Foster Seafoods, including whole snapper, flathead tails, and prawn and scallop skewers.

Earlier, Steve met Toora youngsters Bailee and Kelsey Pavlou and their photogenic miniature pony, Charlie. The little pony stole a few hearts at the caravan park and no doubt amongst the television audience, as did Paul MacPhail’s eight-week-old pure bred kelpie Carlos, who was filmed making his making his maiden effort at rounding up ducks.

Paul said later that Carlos will be the major prize in the raffle being run by Yarram Lions Club at the Working Dog Championships at his Welshpool farm on October 29-30 – the weekend prior to Melbourne Cup Day.

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