February 23, 2005

A ‘hidden’ community delight for aged carers – just how DO you find out?

There was delight and anticipation when Tess, the 86 year old carer of Tom, her 89 year old dementia sufferer husband, learned of the friendly carers’ group activities at a Uniting Care Day Centre for the aged in Hawthorn, Melbourne. […]
February 23, 2005

Grant aggregation – food for thought

Speak to any community program coordinator – aged care, youth groups, neighbourhood houses, arts groups etc – about funding and efficient management of their organisation and shoulders shrug. Isn’t there a better way? The idea of place-based aggregation of public […]
February 23, 2005

A Backpacker Expo in Melbourne, venues.com.au & a social conscience

The Backpackers & Adventure Travel Expo, Exhibition Building Carlton, February 25-27 is currently listed in venues.com.au ‘enews’. At the Expo you can find out where to go, how to get there, what to do, where to stay, plus all about […]
February 23, 2005

Decipher: a new info/planning tool for tourism businesses & associations

To help tourism businesses and tourism organisations stay ‘ahead of the game’, as of February 10th, there is now a new data warehouse, www.decipher.biz. that collects, sorts and arranges thousands of pieces of data from over 200 different sources (such […]
February 23, 2005

A ‘Green Reward’ tax rebate in Far North Queensland

Sanctuary Retreat ecotourism operators have received a ‘green reward’ for their continuing role in protecting a pristine rainforest corridor in Far North Queensland. Paul Verity and Susan Kelly of Mission Beach have been rewarded for their continuing conservation commitment at […]
February 23, 2005

A ‘cultural connection’ guide for visitors – Aboriginal Tourism Australia

A new ‘Welcome to Country’ guide will highlight the strong cultural connection to the land and the stories of that land which is so characteristic of Australia’s indigenous people. Produced by Aboriginal Tourism Australia, the Guide will give every traveller […]
February 23, 2005

Business generosity in urban Warrandyte & rural Heyfield, Victoria

In some ways the city-country divide is a superficial myth. Heyfield, a timber town in the foothills of eastern Victoria’s beautiful high country and Warrandyte, a Melbourne ‘weekender-artists’ haven on the Yarra turned ‘outer suburb-daytrip destination’ have both reacted very […]
February 9, 2005

Websites of interest:

www.newcomersnetwork.comwww.micronavigator.com.au www.mbn.com.au
February 9, 2005

Australia overtakes Thailand & Italy as ‘dream backpacker destination’ BUT…

There are many competing influences for a backpacker’s time and money, such as work opportunities and cheaper or more ‘adventurous’ destinations than Australia, before a ticket is actually booked. Although a recent Lonely Planet survey shows Australia overtaking Thailand and […]
February 9, 2005

Gunns’ lawsuit “bad for the environment, bad for Gunns & bad for its investors”

Gunns Limited is a Tasmanian sawmiller, woodchipper and manufacturer of timber building products. In 2004 it launched a $6.4m legal action that claims the Wilderness Society and others, including Greens Senator Bob Brown, the Huon Valley Environment Centre and Doctors […]
February 9, 2005

With a bit of help from Brazil – a successful Wee Waa web business

Many website packages are complicated and expensive, yet Kate Schwager, from a successful wheat and cotton share farming business near Wee Waa in western NSW, has recently relaunched www.weewaa.com, a website developed from a regular newsletter she wrote for Wee […]
February 9, 2005

A growing awareness of Neighbourhood House & Learning Centre (ANHLC) achievements

In Victoria, the State Treasurer has called in the ANHLC Budget Submission to Government early and representatives have been able to outline their needs for this sector’s future viability. Treasurer Brumby was impressed with the clarity and professionalism of the […]