Gippsland gets its own number plate

Premier tourist town, Walhalla, was the setting for the launch of Gippsland's own number plate.

An initiative of the Gippsland Community Leadership Program (GCLP), the number plate project promotes Gippsland as a great place to live and visit.

CEO of i-GAIN Quality Learning Inc., which auspices GCLP, Jenny Hammett, said the idea of doing something to promote Gippsland had been raised by GCLP graduates many times.

"Like all good ideas, it has take a while to come to fruition," Mrs Hammett said, "But the enthusiasm of a few people who were determined to see this happen has meant that we can now promote this great part of our country every time we drive."

The number plates feature the "Experience Gippsland, The Right Side of Victoria" tourism slogan and logo and has been designed to help people make a positive statement about the region.

Brendan Jenkins, Morwell MLA, played a key role in getting the Gippsland number plates approved by the State Government.

"This number plate gives Gippsland an opportunity to promote their region every time they get in their car," he said, "They look good and there has been strong interest already from local government and private individuals."

The number plate is result of more than six years work by GCLP graduates, local designers, Juice, VicRoads and Experience Gippsland.

General Manager of Gippsland Tourism and long time proponent of the project, Chris Buckingham, was thrilled to see it finally get off the ground.

"There were a large number of local people who donated considerable time and expertise," Mr Buckingham said, "Now the plate is for sale to public, we want to see them on cars all over Australia. It would make a great present for people planning a caravan trip or a grand tour."

Mrs Hammett said it had been a great team effort and i-GAIN, as GCLP's auspicing body, was delighted to be managing the sales of number plates.

"The plates retail at $198 including GST per set, and sales will support GCLP and the work it does in developing the future leaders of our region," Mrs Hammett said.

Update April 12, 2006

There are no VicRoads assignment fees to place the number plates on used cars (normally $91.20). If you are purchasing a new vehicle, you should advise the car dealer that you will be providing the number plates. Normal VicRoads costs will apply to new vehicle regisrations.

Requests for specific numbers will be accommoated where possible, however, numbers 002 to 032 have already been allocated, as have many of the remaining numbers in the first 100 plates.  000-GIP and 001-GIP, the first two number plates in the series, will be auction on line to the highest bidder in May. Additional information will be posted on this site when available.

Orders for bulk numbers will be invoiced by i-GAIN and accounts are to be paid within 14 days.

Plates are pressed in batches of 100. VicRoads is currently awaiting approval from the Victoria Plate for the plates. Until that approval is received, we are unable to process any orders, but will act promptly as soon as that approval is received. This will include processing payments for single orders and invoicing customers for bulk orders. On receipt of payments, we will order the plates from VicRoad.

To place an order for the Gippsland number plates or for further information, phone i-GAIN reception (03) 5135 4300 or email enquiries@igain.vic.edu.au