It is a bright early July day. On a dusty mountain track fringed by fir trees and leading to a pass in the French Alps 2,600 metres above sea level, two men are struggling, pushing, panting. Their sweat has dried on their faces etching masks of effort and pain. These men are road race cyclists and the scene is the Tour de France of 1952.

I would like to acknowledge the Jadawadjali and the Wotjobaluk peoples as Traditional Owners of the Wimmera region, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present, and the Elders from other communities of Victoria.

For those who grew up hearing the iconic song for Coppa Del Nonno’s commercial,“Joy, I feel good, I feel fine”, Gisella Cozzo’s voice might already be endeared to those childhood memories and fondness for ice cream.