By Lachlan Ellis<\/p>\n
A new map of Blackwood will showcase the town\u2019s tourist sites, walks, businesses and more, and locals are excited to show their town off.<\/p>\n
The map will be produced by Meridian Maps, with the Blackwood community pooling together ideas and photos for what to include.<\/p>\n
Karen Bruno from The Blackwood Hat Shoppe approached Meridian Maps with the idea, and said the map would be unlike any map of Blackwood ever produced.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s become a town project. Current maps only include Blackwood in about a two-inch square on a whole map, so we\u2019re only a small part of a huge map. We\u2019re only a small section of any map that\u2019s in existence. That\u2019s why I wanted to create a map that details the streets of Blackwood and historical features for tourists to look at, and promote local businesses,\u201d Ms Bruno told the Moorabool News.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve contacted all of the businesses in town, and we\u2019re all now developing the map together, it\u2019s kind of a grassroots movement. We\u2019re doing what Blackwood does and getting on with it. Meridian Maps have been fantastic at working with the town and I on this project, they\u2019re very experienced and have real know-how.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo my knowledge there hasn\u2019t ever been a map like this. It\u2019ll be something quite unique for us, and just a fabulous asset to both tourists and businesses. People are surprised how much there is to do here.\u201d<\/p>\n
A photo competition is also in the works to compile photos for the map, with prizes on offer for those whose photos are published such as hats and a free dinner.<\/p>\n
Rochelle Spivak from Meridian Maps said the idea of a tourist map of Blackwood got off the ground while doing research for the upcoming edition of the Lerderderg & Werribee Gorges Map Guide.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe met with Karen Bruno and were discussing why we were there. She asked about a tourist map for Blackwood, and the discussion went from there. At this point we are at the mock-up stage, but would like the map published by the end of October if possible,\u201d Ms Spivak said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage I am anticipating a two-sided map with one map being from St Erth to Golden Point. It will show the Whipstick Loop Walk and Blackwood Mineral Springs Walk, and I also envisage a town enlargement with an Historic Tree Walk, all businesses identified, et cetera.\u201d<\/p>\n
The map is expected to cost $5.95, and be available at businesses in Blackwood and District, as well as Melbourne map retailers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Lachlan Ellis A new map of Blackwood will showcase the town\u2019s tourist sites, walks, businesses and more, and locals are excited to show their town off. The map will be produced by Meridian Maps, with the Blackwood community pooling together ideas and photos for what to include. Karen Bruno from The Blackwood Hat Shoppe […]<\/p>\n