By JESSE GRAHAM
THE TOURISM appeal of Marysville will be broadcast around the state over the weekend, with 3AW radio hosts broadcasting their shows from the rooms of the Vibe Hotel on Friday and Saturday.
Ross Stevenson and John Burns of Breakfast with Ross and John travelled through the Yarra Valley and up the Black Spur to Marysville on Thursday, 23 July, to prepare for their Friday morning broadcast.
The pair and their entourage, including Kate Stevenson from A Moveable Feast, set up at the Vibe Hotel on Thursday morning, before an interview about their stay in the town.
Mr Stevenson and Mr Burns said it was their first time coming to the town, and that their trip was inspired after Ms Stevenson (of no relation) took a trip up to the mountain and told her colleagues about it.
But the shows being broadcast from the town over the weekend will double as a push for visitors to come to the town, and the group was was being led on a tour around the town and nearby Lake Mountain on Thursday to see all of Marysville’s sights.
“Obviously, what we’ve heard about Marysville to date, in the last few years, has been more about sad things, and coming back and seeing how amazing everything looked,” Ms Stevenson said.
“We’ve read a lot about the Vibe and the work that went into that, so it’s good to have a good news story.”
Mr Burns said he was “amazed” about the re-growth on the burnt trees surrounding the town that have re-grown, but still bear blackened trunks.
The two shows being broadcast from the town will be Breakfast with Ross and John from 5.30am-8.30am on Friday 24 July and A Moveable Feast with Ross and Kate from 11am-noon on Saturday 25 July.
When asked about the shows, Mr Stevenson said they were hoping to hear from residents coming down to the live broadcast, about their experiences and history in the town.
Murrindindi Shire Council mayor, Margaret Rae, will also be appearing on the show.
“We’ve just invited anyone who’s in the area to come and say hello tomorrow morning,” Mr Stevenson said.
“I’m very taken with the poster in the foyer of the Vibe that says ‘tallest trees in the British Empire’ – and that was when the British Empire was somewhat larger than it is today.
“We’d like to know about the history from some of the people that come in tomorrow morning.”
As an incentive to get visitors to the broadcast, the hotel is holding a free breakfast of an egg and bacon muffin and a coffee on Friday morning from 7am-8.30am and on Saturday morning from 11am-noon.
For more information, visit www.3aw.com.au or tune into 3AW 69.3 on Friday or Saturday.
