THE Premier of Victoria, Ted Baillieu took time to visit Camperdown on Friday to help mark two significant milestones for the Corangamite Shire.
Mr Baillieu joined with representatives of the shire as well as a direct descendant of Robert Burns to unveil the recently restored statue of Robert Burns and officially open Corangamite Shire’s $2.3 million Civic Centre redevelopment.
Channelling his Scottish heritage, Mr Baillieu drew laughs from the 250 strong crowd.
“My mum grew up in the Camperdown area,” he said.
“We treasure and value our heritage.
“I want to congratulate the shire and the National Trust for organising this.”
The historic statue of bard Robbie Burns and his dog Luath was vandalised in the Camperdown Botanic Gardens two years ago, which saw a fundraising initiative get under way to return the famous statue to its former glory.
It was decided to house the statue away from the elements and further attacks, and it now takes pride of place behind glass in the shire’s Civic Centre free to be admired by all day and night.
“I’m sure Robbie Burns would be very proud to be sitting here with his dog behind the glass,” Mr Baillieu said.
“This statue is a monument to Scottish immigration as well as a piece of art.
“It (the statue) has now been beautifully restored.
“I think it belongs here, a lot of effort has gone into storing it here.”
Eighth generation direct descendant of Robert  Burns Belinda Treseeder was pleased to be able to see the statue in person.
“It’s really wonderful and exciting,” she said.
“It’s so exciting to think it’s the oldest statue of him in the world.
“I’m really pleased to be here as a descendant.
“I’m really happy with the restoration works.”
Ms Treseeder was also joined by a number of other special guests including a family member from Drumhead Quarry in Scotland which donated the stone for the restoration work, descendants of the 1830s sculptor John Greenshields and connections of William Taylor who donated the statue to the town of Camperdown in 1883.
The Civic Centre’s new garden development also drew comments from community members and Mr Baillieu alike.
Designed by spatial dramatist William Martin, the gardens are designed to contain elements from each corner of the shire.
“You can see the garden from the street and it no doubt works,” Mr Baillieu said.
Derrinallum resident Margaret Hodson and Qwenda Bell of Lismore could not agree more.
“The gardens are beautiful, they are marvellous and are going to be easy to maintain, just lovely,” Mrs Bell said.
“The opening was wonderful, absolutely amazing.
“The premier was fantastic, he delivered a great speech.”
Mrs Hodson said she was “interested to see the statue”.
“Having lived here it’s so significant,” she said.
“It’s all been lovely.”
While in town Mr Baillieu also met shire councillors to discuss local issues before looking over Derrinallum plumber Gary Poole’s 1951 Holden car, which is expected to be part of the Monte Carlo Rally across Europe next year.