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Monthly newsletter
Dear <<First Name>>
A message from Peta Godenzi, President
Welcome to our new and renewing members and thank you to all those who have responded so quickly. If you haven't yet renewed please make sure you do by June 30 so that your website presence on Warburtoninfo.com can be rolled into the new financial year.
At our recent committee meeting there was much discussion about the Warburton Mountain Bike Feasibility Study, which is now out for public comment. Warburton Valley CEDA is a key supporter of this proposal and we have a subcommittee formed to support the development of cycling tourism in the region. The Mountain Bike proposal is a terrific initiative that has the potential to bring almost $24 million per annum in economic benefit, and up to 170 jobs to the region.
We have reviewed the study, which has been completed by a key international body called World Trail, and are impressed with the level of concern shown to environmental, sustainability and economic factors. The trails in many cases are preexisting and an investment of $5 million would bring them to a world class standard.
Whether you are a community member, a business or interest group we encourage you to review the information regarding this proposal and write an email to the Shire of Yarra Ranges to lodge your support. All the information, including an executive summary and an email address, is available on our website at the link here. Read the full report and CEDA's official response via the link on our website. There is also an easy poll on the council webs tie you can click to show your support. Submission deadline is July 10.
We fully support the development of cycling in the Warburton Valley and hope you will see the potential this initiative will bring to your own business or endeavours.
All the best,
Peta
Email me: info@delorainehomestead.com.au or tel 0428 971 203.
Diary Notes
- The next Warburton Valley CEDA meeting is 26 June 2014 at 10am in the boardroom at the Warburton Community Bank. Members may attend and should RSVP to this email address. Alternatively you can submit any questions or comments in writing for the committee.
Get to know our members: Lace'n'Things
Pictured: Anni works her magic on the window display
Warburton retailer and CEDA member Frances McBride runs two successful retail outlets on the main street – The Chookhouse and Lace’n’Things, which recently relocated to a new shop front, next door to another CEDA member The Warburton Pantry. Frances says the new premise is a light and spacious shop that adds to the browsing pleasure for customers and has allowed them to enhance their instore display opportunities. ‘Anni, who works weekdays, brings an artistic flair to the look of the store and people are attracted right up to the back of the shop,’ says Frances.
Frances, who does all of the buying herself, puts together an ever-changing array of eclectic items, home and giftwares. Lace'n'Things is known for its limited time clearance items, and shoppers know to grab the bargains when they see them. Frances employs five locals and also supports a traineeship position. She also runs a customer loyalty program offering a 10% discount, and a community group fundraising program where groups can register and accumulate credits to put toward fundraising initiatives. She balances responding to trends when buying with offering time relevant specials, such as snow items for tourists and locals over winter. Lace’n’Things is a unique Warburton Valley shopping experience.
NB There will be a free visual merchandising workshop offered by the ARA Retail Institute on Wednesday 26 June at Council offices in Lilydale. Email Donna for more info.
The Great Steps of Warburton - Update
All 125 mosaic panels are now complete with the help of more than 300 members of the community, traders and school groups. What a terrific achievement. Installation is now being planned and we will let you known details for an official opening.
There is no doubt The Great Steps of Warburton will be a wonderful tourist attraction for the region. Generously funded by Yarra Ranges Council and the Warburton and Yarra Junction Community Bank branches. See the Facebook page for updates.
Yarra Valley Food Network
 Food growers, farmgate sales and backyard producers gatherered for a forum last week with the goal of developing a plan to gather and share important information in the Warbruton Valley (25km radius from Yarra Junction) regarding available food supplies, including meat, eggs, honey, fresh fruit and veg, dairy and more. The goal is to develop a website and printed map detailing food trails in the area for local and tourist use. If you would like to include your details, or be kept up to date with the progress of this wonderful local initiative please send an email to Suyin.
Events Online - free
Events Victoria is the official event calendar for Victoria. It only takes a minute to register your business for free and you can then upload your events throughout the year. Regional events listed on Events Victoria now feed straight into Yarra Ranges Tourism's weekly "What's On" and are sent out to over 1000 business emails every Thursday. Events also trickle through to over 50 other websites that promote activities and events in Victoria. A step-by-step 'how to register' guide is available here.
Coming Up - June
Events to share and prepare for:
- The ever popular Warburton Film Festival is scheduled for 13-15 June 2014.
- The Warburton Art Show 'Locale' will open on June 6 at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre, and the exhibition will run until July 2.
- Markets in June - see the newly launched Council website for a comprehensive list of local markets in the Warburton Valley - great winter fun.
BEAR project
Warburton Valley CEDA is proud to announce we are about to launch a major initiative called the Business Expansion and Retention Program (BEAR). BEAR is about supporting our local businesses and involving the community in that process, to help create a stronger local economy. It’s about identifying and harnessing our local resources and opportunities to stimulate and maintain local economic activity.
This program is a great opportunity to look at options such as:
- retaining and expanding existing local businesses;
- attracting outside investment and resources;
- plugging leaks in the local economy;
- enhancing job linking;
- marketing our communities.
We are seeking expressions of interest from local business, small business owners, employees and community members to be involved in this program in some form, for various lengths of time and different capacities. The primary activities will be to conduct extensive one-to-one surveys with CEDA members so that this information can be used to develop key strategies and solutions.
You are invited to attended an introductory session on 24 June - details on time and venue are here. If you are keen to know more, want updates or would like to be involved in any way please send an email to Suyin to register your details. This is a wonderful program that will bring businesses in our valley together, and identify needs and opportunities for our mutual benefit and growth.
Help spread the word - feel free to print and share this poster in your networks and towns and see our website.
WIFI in Warburton
Warburton cafe The WarburtonPantry will host a free WIFI area for the township as part of an initiative by Yarra Ranges Tourism to create wireless hotspots in key townships. To be installed in June, the service, while located on site at The Warburton Pantry's WIFI will provide free access in some surrounding parks and potentially as far as the river bank depending on weather conditions at the time, and the plan is to have relay points at various locations in town.
Member Updates
Download the June 'What's On' poster here
Print for display or handout to visitors and clients.
Website stats May, 2014
More info: Ph Paul 0409 004 770 or paul@warburtoninfo.com
What can I do? Three by three things this month
- Make sure you have registered on Events Victoria and uploaded your events.
- Keep an eye on snow reports (Warburtoninfo.com) and consider how you can benefit from the additional tourism snow visits to Mt Donna Buang can bring to the region.
- Familiarise yourself with the Bike Feasibility Study or better still enjoy a bike ride on the rail trail to identify what your customer might experience!
And tell us! Send via email to admin@upperyarra.net.au
Want to find or share info about Warburton Valley CEDA online?
We have a dedicated page on the Upper Yarra Community Enterprise website www.upperyarra.net.au/community/warburton-valley-ceda/ or click here.
Our purpose statement:
'To promote sustainable economic development that enriches the lives of those who live in or have a close connection to the Warburton Valley and rely on its prosperity.'
Your CEDA committee is:
Peta Godenzi (President), Mike Iley (Vice President), Geoff Vickers (Secretary/Treasurer) and members Michael Hibbert (CEDA rep at YRT), Jeff Gill, Norm Orr, Phil Wallens, Georgie Johnson and Fiona Johnston. |
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