BOUQUETS and pageantry are the prerequisites when Queen Elizabeth II visits a rural British town.
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Similarly, when US president Barack Obama goes to press the flesh in Kansas or Oklahoma, a marching band playing Hail to the Chief and a steak-fry event is usually on the agenda.
But what should Prime Minister Tony Abbott fit into his schedule during his first visit to the region as the nation’s leader?
Although most of the 24-hour trip is dedicated to municipal meetings and Liberal Party functions, a few distinctly south-west traditions have been suggested if Mr Abbott has some free time to spare.
A specially-made Tony Abbott cake was commissioned yesterday with the team at Reeve’s Bakery cooking up a Canberra-inspired storm.
Baker Darryl Laing created the large cream sponge concoction with an edible photograph of Mr Abbott featured in the centre.
Reeve’s Bakery owner Peter O’Donohue invited the PM to the store for a quick lunch.
“We’d love to see the Prime Minister come in and buy some lunch - he’d be very welcome,” Mr O’Donohue said. “The photo on the cake is edible. We’ve made a number of cakes over the years with people’s faces on the top but never the Prime Minister’s.”
Kermond’s Hamburgers owner Brett Healey said his shop's mouth-watering tradition was an essential dining experience for any visitor.
“If Tony came into Kermond’s, I’d suggest a chilli burger,” Mr Healey said. “It’d give him a bit of fire in the belly ahead of the next election.
“We’ve had plenty of big names come through over the years - Rex Hunt, Jon English, Billy Brownless - it’s one of those things you do when you come to Warrnambool.”
While Mr Abbott has been known to enjoy a lemonade shandy, Alexandra House Sports Club has invited the PM back for a beer at the Hamilton pub.
“We had Tony here a few years ago (2013) when he was opposition leader doing his charity bike ride,” sports club manager Max Spiller said.
“He was keen on the karaoke back then and by all accounts he enjoyed belting out a few old jukebox favourites.”
Taylor’s Surfodesy manager Chris Taylor said the Liebig Street retailer had plenty of swimwear options if the PM’s staff forgot to pack his trademark budgie smugglers.
“I know he wears budgie smugglers but I would suggest a wetsuit for this time of year,” Mr Taylor said.