Saturday 7th July 2012
Event No. 141 email:koonwarrafarmersmarket@gmail.com
Winter Warmers
understand we shall have more school visits in
the future.
On this chilly early morning you may be
interested in a warm up. We now have
extended our options to include:
Improving Market Promotion
● Gippsland Pasture Fed Meats spicy BBQ
sausages
● On the deck
Fresh Curry Puffs also Hot Pumpkin Soup and
heated Mini Quiches
● CFA sausage sizzle in front of the hall.
● Coffees Up, warm up selection
Absentee Stall Fees
Committee has resolved that if a regular
producer is unable to attend a market on a
temporary basis and arranges for another
stallholder to sell their produce a fee of $20.00
will be required for a maximum of 25% of the
stalls presentation table.
Koonwarra’s Farmers Market continues to
extend
and
to upgrade
its
very
comprehensive market profile.
►Part of the existing and ongoing market
promotion includes VFMA promotion through
its very successful website, Melbourne radio
and newspaper promotion, advertising in 2
local newspapers, local radio 3MFM, social
media, fifteen roadside market signs,
distribution of 3,000 brochures, and cross
promotion with other South Gippsland
Farmers markets
Hand Trolleys Available
As an increasing number of producers now
have to carry heavy produce into the market
site the trolleys will certainly be in demand.
They will be particularly helpful when we use
the hall on wet days.
Both trolleys will be kept in the halls
storeroom, just ask Rod or Stan for their use.
The trolleys are only available to customers
under supervision.
Koonwarra’s Primary School
Certificate of Accreditation
As part of our Markets commitment to
VFMA all producers are required to display
their Certificate of Accreditation 2012-2013.
Up-to-date certificates (now based on financial
year) are currently being forwarded to
producers that are recognised by VFMA.
Recent reports claim that over 600 producers
are now accredited with the VFMA.
VFMA Policy – Not Ours
Koonwarra Farmers Market’s new stallholder
policy has been reaffirmed since the VFMA’s
new guidelines allow, for example, farm based
knitted ware. This markets committee has
decided this policy does not comply with
Koonwarra’s markets long held charter.
In
the opinion of the committee Koonwarra’s
founding philosophy should not change from
the original Farmers Market authenticity
guidelines established 12 years ago.
A larger display or a separate table will require
a full stall fee of $40.00. Pre- arranged joint
stalls are exempted by market management.
The market has purchased a hand trolley
and a 4 wheel garden cart to assist
stallholders setting up stalls.
mobile: 0408 619 182
‘Farmhouse Direct’ Concerns
►The Market’s committee is in the process of
developing our own upgraded website that will
be adaptable to the rapidly changing new
social media technology. There are immense
changes in the electronic communication
world and for us to be relevant we need to
become compliant.
►Our brochure distribution is being extended
to include local B&B’s through local tourist
information offices. This market is a member
of the South Gippsland Tourist Association
and shares in its promotional activities.
Buskers In Moderation
Last month’s vocal performance by
students from Koonwarra’s recently
opened Primary School proved to be a
great success.
Members of Korumburra’s Buskers
Festival have accepted an invitation to
perform at our market. The starting date to
be confirmed.
We have been told that over $100 was raised
at the market for purchasing classroom music
instruments. For the market’s benefit parents
also reported enjoying their visit. We
The music is planned to be near the coffee
stall and add to the market’s friendly
welcoming atmosphere. We have been
assured it will not be loud or intrusive.
There are concerns being expressed to the
VFMA by a number of Market Managers
that online Farmhouse Direct is taking
away customers from the physical
markets.
VFMA wants to assure producers that looking
at the stats of who is buying on the site, it’s
more often than not people in their 20s early
30s, who (through VFMA’s market research)
have been identified, do not usually come to
physical markets. Also Farmhouse Direct is
getting many orders from interstate.
There is absolutely no replacement for the
experience of attending a farmers' market, and
the VFMA had been approached by at least 5
private businesses wanting to set up their own
version of an online farmers' market. From all
accounts it sounds like many of these are in
the pipeline still, so it is only a matter of time til
markets have this outlet as competition
anyway, so the VFMA were pleased to
partner and be the guiding hand in the online
store that is going to have the biggest national
reach and associated publicity.
GRAND RIDGE ORGANICS
News from Karratha WA.
We had our first rain in 3 months last night otherwise the temperatures are 15 to 25.
Winter temps are really mild compared to the
cyclone season - 25 to 35+usually.
Richy has taken up a position with a WA
renewables company as a solar adviser - the
only one in the Pilbara. He made his first sale
of photovoltaic power, LED lighting and solar
hot water systems in Port Hedland, and has
had a few extra since then, with lots of
interest.
In my job in planning with the Shire of
Roebourne it's hard to keep up with the pace
of development in the Pilbara. Council will be
briefed next week on a planned new port at
Anketell Point, which is little over 20km away
from Karratha.
Dampier, Onslow, Port
Hedland and Anketell ports will 'merge' under
one heading in 2014 to become the world's
biggest port system.
Everything is so big here - and vast, that it's
easy to forget that the footprint is growing
bigger and be aware of what is underfoot.
We are starting to team up with an aboriginal
couple in Roebourne who are taking over a
plant nursery in Roebourne, principally to help
set up a chook run for our beautifully vocal
purebred Australorp rooster and productive
hens; but also to share knowledge of
composting, organic farming and indigenous
native plants and their propagation. As well,
we hope to learn more about how to see
things the proper way that the mob does.
Keep up the good fight against coal seam gas
extraction which is coming to a place near
you!
Regards to all our friends
Rosie and Richy
Grand Ridge Organics
Room For More Markets?
The following letter printed in “The Star” is
in response to comments made in this
newsletter that yet another Farmers Market
would not be sustainable in Meeniyan and
its proposal had not been discussed with
local producers. The proposals viability
was questioned due to low population,
availability of South Gippsland producers
and the likelihood of attracting regular
travelling food lovers other than public
holiday weekends.
“I write in response to Rod Faudell’s thoughtful
letter in regard to farmers market and
proposed Tarwin Valley Sustainability Centre.
We as a committee sought
input and
feedback from Victorian Farmers market
Association in assessing the possibility for
developing an additional market for South
Gippsland.
There is potential opportunity for a mid-week
or filling the weekend that currently does not
have a local market if not now then in the
future.
The indicative budget for the proposed centre
has less than 5% revenue is anticipated to
come from a proposed farmers market or a
food swap.
We are currently seeking funding to undertake
a more detailed assessment of all the
proposed elements of the proposed centre
including the farmers market.
The Tarwin Valley Centre has a number of
major focuses including tourism, promotion of
intensive sustainable farming, attracting new
settlers and hence more investments and local
employment opportunities.
Farmers’ market primary role is a way for local
people to access foods directly from local
producers and is hence dependant on
available local supply.
Farmers’ markets are however are part of the
colour and the unique experience of the
villages and life of South Gippsland.
It includes also the extraordinary artistic and
creative talent, the unique heritage of the
district and the characteristic rolling hills and
green landscape.
One of the key focuses for the centre would
be to grow and attract the existing cultural
tourist market estimated at 14 % of tourists.
The area already attracts over 1.2m tourists of
whom nearly 300,000 are high yielding cultural
and heritage tourists, who want a genuine
experience of local places, people and culture.
We agree wholeheartedly that there are
significant
opportunities
for
increasing
intensive food production in South Gippsland.
The proposed centre is seen as being a focal
point for learning and adaption and for
encouraging diversification that will drive local
employment opportunities and provide for
more avenues for young people to stay and
live in the district.
The challenge for all of us is how to adapt to
change and how to capitalise on the
opportunities opened up for climate and food
security in South Gippsland”
Lindsay Moore
Chairperson
Tarwin Valley Sustainability Centre
$25,000 Grant for Food Directory
A local food directory which aims to
promote the growing, consumption and
sharing of local food across South
Gippsland will be developed with the help
of $25,000 in Victorian Government
funding, Deputy Premier and Member for
Gippsland South Peter Ryan announced
today.
“The South Gippsland Local Food Directory
project will engage volunteers, local food
producers, food distributors and community
members in the process of gathering
information on the growing, sharing and
consumption of local food throughout South
Gippsland,” Mr Ryan said.
“It will identify gaps in local food production
and provide information that will enable the
communities of South Gippsland to better
provide for their own needs. Developing the
South Gippsland Local Food Directory will
also help identify and plug gaps in food
production and strengthen existing networks
as well as assist in developing new networks
across the region.”
Mr Ryan said developing the South Gippsland
Local Food Directory would be a collaborative
project between the South Gippsland Shire
Council, the South Gippsland Local Food
Network in partnership with Grow Lightly and
local food producers, food distributors and
community members.
He said the Victorian Government funding for
the directory would be provided to the South
Gippsland Shire Council, which would
contribute a further $5000.
Mr Ryan said the funding would be provided
through the $1 billion Regional Growth Fund’s
Putting Locals First Program. Putting Locals
First is a $100 million initiative that enables
regional communities to devise and deliver
service and infrastructure responses that
reflect local priorities,” Mr Ryan said. It is
supporting stronger and more sustainable
regional communities by building their
capacity to drive development in their region.
KOONWARRA FARMERS’ MARKET Inc.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
4th August 2012
The Koonwarra Farmers’ Market Inc.
Annual General Meeting will be held at
the conclusion of the Market to be held
on 4th August in the Koonwarra Hall.
The ordinary business shall be in
accordance with the Association and
Incorporations Act (1981)
The meeting is open to only
member/stallholders of the Koonwarra
Farmers Market Inc. New stallholders
require three attendances at this Market
to be eligible for voting or standing for
any position on committee.
To conduct the meeting requires a min.
25% of Koonwarra Farmers Market Inc
members present.
Agenda:
Koonwarra Farmers Market Inc
NOMINATION FORM
Annual General Meeting
Election procedure:
DATE:
Nomination of candidates for election
as office bearers of the Association
or as ordinary Members of the
committee are to be(A)
Made in writing by 2
members (stallholders) of the
Association and accompanied by the
written consent of the candidate
which may be endorsed on the form
of nomination: and
(B)
Delivered to the Secretary of
the Association at least (7) days
before the date fixed for holding the
A.G.M. at which the election will take
place.
Minutes of Previous Annual General
Meeting
Presidents Report
Treasurers Report
Election of officers of the Association and
the Ordinary Members of the Committee:
Positions vacant:
President,
Vice President,
Secretary,
Treasurer
Ordinary Committee members (two)
Public Officer
General Business: of which notice has
been given.
Other business: to be conducted in a
Special General Meeting following the
Annual General Meeting
Secretary
Rod Faudell
Koonwarra Farmers Market Inc
NOMINATED
POSITION……………………………..
PROPOSER…………………………………………
SECONDER……………………………………………
Attendance:
Apologies:
NOMINEE……………………………………………
2. If insufficient nominations are
received to fill the vacancies on the
committeea)
Further nominations may be
received at the A.G.M.
b)
After taking into account
nominations received at the A.G.M.,
if
there
remain
insufficient
nominations to fill all vacancies on
the Committee, the candidates
nominated will be deemed to be
elected.
c)
Only
one
vote
per
permanent member (Stallholder)
d)
A member (stallholder) can
only be nominated or elected for one
position on Committee.
Signature of Nominee
…………………….........................................
Please send your nominations to:
The Secretary:
Rod Faudell
Koonwarra Farmers Market Inc.
C/O 65 Korumburra Bena Road
Korumburra Vic 3950