Icing on the cake

COWS, sheep, goats, dogs and even a rooster decorated a special cake made to celebrate the naming of Gippsland last week.
The cake was cut a few days ahead of 12 March, the date that Agribusiness Gippsland believes should become the official anniversary of Gippsland’s naming.
Chairman of the regional not-for-profit group Alex Arbuthnot explained that 12 March was the day in 1840 that explorer Paul Strzelecki clambered over the top of Mount Kosciusko.
“Sometime around that date he looked southward and proclaimed all the heavily-timbered country beyond be named in honour of the New South Wales Governor, George Gipps,” he said.
“We would like to know a more precise date but, until then, we thought we should recognise the naming of Gippsland.”
Mr Arbuthnot said there’s not too many parts of Victoria with a one-word official, Anglo-imposed name, making the region even more special.
The inaugural Gippyday event took place at the March board meeting of Agribusiness Gippsland, held at Latrobe City Council offices.
The cake was made by Agribusiness Gippsland executive officer Sue Webster.
“As a cake decorator, she makes a good executive officer!” Mr Arbuthnot joked.