Tower Hill to hit the big screen

Port Fairy Tourist Association has received a $12,500 from South West Community Foundation which is handing out more than $113,000 in grants to 31 community groups, bringing the total amount distributed since 2007 to more than $1.2 million.

Geologist Michael Raetz said the story of Tower Hill and the Belfast Coast could be as important as the Coorong in South Australia.

"It is the story of the land between two rivers, the Merri and the Moyne," Mr Raetz said.

"In between is an almost continuous wetland connection, until it was drained for farmland, and in the middle sits the biggest maar volcano in the southern hemisphere."

IN OTHER NEWS:

The maar lake at Tower Hill was created when rising magma super-heated groundwater causing it to explode "in a massive 3000% expansion", Mr Raetz said.

The falling ash and fine matter created the distinctive bedding lines at Tower Hill, and extended east across the Merri River catchment.

"We know people were living here 37,000 years ago (when the volcano erupted) because some of the debris in the Merri River gorge buried a stone axe," Mr Raetz said.

"There is a complex connection which talks about a sense of place.

"It is more than just landscape and pretty views,.

"It is the culture embedded there.

"We need a full-length documentary, we need to hear lots of voices, indigenous and professional voices, to tell this compelling story."

Port Fairy Tourist Association chair Ashley King said the documentary would extend the story started in a previous short film developed by filmmaker Martin Stringer, which was shown at the Port Fairy Adventure Film Festival.

"This has been a stepping stone to developing this longer program. We want to ensure this story is told, and what develops as a tourism aspect from this will be a great opportunity for the wider community," he said.

South West Community Foundation board chair David McIntyre said it was great to see so many passionate people coming together to support the Tower Hill documentary.

"This project will help promote the south-west Victorian volcanic tourist trail, and help link Tower Hill and the Belfast coast to Budj Bim," he said.

"The film will benefit all sectors of the community and help promote the unique landscape of our region."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: