Australia-based Creswick Woollen Mills has obtained a US $ 500,000 grant from the State Government to further improve its goal of fibre tourism with an expanded cafe area, animal viewing facilities and upgraded welcome centre.
The mills strongly focus on attracting Chinese tourists with a specialised sales area and what is being described as “an interactive fibre tourism experience,” where the process of making woollen products is demonstrated and explained.
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“Achieving the grant is the end product of three years of consultation with the state government and Regional Development Victoria. With today’s enhancement grant, we will be able to make a much greater space and much more area for our incoming Chinese groups,” averred Boaz Herszfeld, Executive Director, Creswick Woollen Mills.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford visited the factory on 24th morning to announce the grant. The funding comes as the Creswick Woollen Mills celebrate 70 years of manufacturing. “It’s a journey of textiles, manufacturing and now fibre tourism,” said Pulford.
Herzfeld’s grandfather Paul Ryzowy had built this prosperous business that manufactured electric blankets for Linda and the famous ‘Bluey’ woollen jackets. He would purchase bulk amounts of second-hand woollen clothing which was broken down and used in other garments by his workers. The wool was known as “shoddy”. The darker wool was used up first, leaving the more garish colours to be woven into the wool that was used in the electric blankets, knowing they would not be seen.
