Indonesian family wins 'farmstay' holiday in South-West

12/12/97

Life on a working farm in our State's South-West is about to be experienced first-hand by an Indonesian family.

The family won the holiday as a result of participating in the State Government's recent Focus Indonesia launch in Jakarta.

Primary Industry Minister Monty House presented the 'farmstay' prize to Akhmad Gozali Syam, who won a holiday after his name was drawn from the barrel containing all 350 names of those attending the launch.

The prize involved a South-West family farmstay at the Evedon Park Bush Resort in Burekup, 150km south of Perth, with return airfares flying Qantas.

"Western Australia's agricultural tourism industry is focussed on presenting a unique rural holiday experience for city residents and international tourists," Mr House said.

"This type of holiday provides a range of opportunities including hands-on participation in farm activities.

"A number of traditional farming enterprises throughout WA are now operating farm and station stay holidays to diversify and boost the farm income."

Mr House said Focus Indonesia had presented a good opportunity to highlight rural tourism to an audience of about 350 Indonesian agribusiness, political and Government representatives.

The launch was also attended by a delegation from about 40 WA agribusiness companies which displayed local produce including beef, lamb, sardines, wheat, eggs, dairy products, finfish, yabbies and wildflowers.

The Focus Indonesia campaign would run for 12 months in an effort to increase WA's exports of food and agricultural and fisheries products to Indonesia. The project was being managed by AGWEST Trade and Development, part of Agriculture Western Australia.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (08) 9481 2044