Ordinary Meeting 7 , commenced 7.15pm 08/06/15
Freemasons Hotel, 125 Stirling Tce, Toodyay. www.toodyaychamber.org.au
Vision: A Thriving Toodyay Community.
Mission: To promote a thriving & dynamic environment for business and community in Toodyay
1.
Apologies
TCCI Committee: H.Ryding, M.O’Sullivan, J.Clarke
Attendees for vote equal 7 for this meeting.
PRESENTATION 6.30pm
Avon Tourism Committee Wendy Williams and Board members Paula Greenaway and Karen Dore.
Presentation from Avon Valley Tourism Committee and activities they are undertalkng, structure and membership.
Avon Valley Tourism outlined the strategic plan for State Government under Experience Perth and that the focus is
to boost tourism by geographic regions and to see these regions working together – this is how Avon Valley Tourism
formed and is funded from members plus Shire memberships of $5-$10K each. See attached membership and
presentation for further information. Advised TCCI could share presentation with members via our website in a PDF
format as appropriate.
TCCI promised any new ideas or areas for investigation will be shared from TCCI and its members back to Avon Valley
Tourism and in our collaboration with Toodyay Tourism Committee as well.
Avon Valley Tourism will be doing the usual trade shows with Avon brochure again and distribution to key tourism
destinations and hotels throughout Perth and travel show with Experience Perth to S/East Asia. The other main
events they will be doing this year is the caravan and camping show for 5 days and the Dowerin Field Day where each
of the key Shire members and Platinum members can join the exhibit for $690 with a 6m x 3m marquee. In 2010
Avon Valley Tourism did the Perth Royal Show with a number of key members including Oliomio Olive & Lavender
Farm (TCCI member) this was quite an expensive exercise but something they may reconsider doing again. TCCI
suggested contact RAS marketing and event team to see how the Avon Valley Tourism Exhibit model might fit into a
display area and as part of the Yellow Brick Road program and sponsorship.
Avon Valley Tourism membership has remained at about 9-11 Platinum members over last 3 years and TRANSWA
joined this year. The Avon Valley Tourism Events Calendar can only be utilised by members and LGA’s. Local Drive
fold map cost 14K to produce and distribute – Platinum members are able to advertise for $290 (e.g. Shire of
Toodyay). Avon Valley Tourism currently reviewing its Strategic Plan. In the longer term they would like to secure
long term State funding rather than just local Government funding. Royalties for Regions funding can be difficult to
achieve and sustain because of its requirements. Noting in some regions the funding difference quite significant e.g.
Peel get about 100K apparently from City of Mandurah. Wendy is on the board of both Experience Perth and Avon
Valley Tourism so she has been able to negotiate a number of discounts for Avon Valley Tourisms participation and
marketing. For Toodyay the Avon Descent and Food Festival, followed by Moondyne definitely two biggest festivals
that are cross promoted with tourism.
Question from TCCI committee about what is happening and best success rate for marketing using digital media?
Avon Valley Tourism described by reinvesting in improvements to its website and SEO over last 2 years this is helping
to drive potential tourists to research and plan their local stays. TCCI requested to find out more from Avon Valley
Tourism about the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) key words they are using for their website and search engines.
What are these words / word combinations and how often are they reviewed. TCCI also noted that Avon Valley
Tourism Facebook Page has about 670 Likes, asked if they would be willing to share the main demographic and
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location breakdown of where these likes have come from. TCCI noted a lot of the commentary is coming from
member businesses in Northam and people in Chittering, the other representing Shires are still scattered throughout
with content and people posting thank you for your stays etc. Thinking about targeting advertising for FB page and
website.
TCCI suggested speaking with a PR firm even if just to garner ideas and a proposal on a digital strategy to build profile
and awareness to the pages. It may be that Avon Valley Tourism wants to run specific ads targeting the visitor
demographics that have been to the Shires in the Avon Valley and build this into destination Avon Valley feeds around
peak visitor times and school holidays. TCCI believe Shire of Toodyay does have some historic information on this
and Audrey Bell may be the best person to speak to at Toodyay Shire to get some of this information which Avon
Valley Tourism could then try to get similar info from the other Shires. TCCI also suggested Postcards / Posters in
Cafes in Perth idea, which Karen Dore said they had used for some Chittering promotions previously. Of course the
other big area is tourist bus operators and even the Chinese destination WA market and any ideas to intersect some
of this market outside of Experience Perth. Avon Valley Tourism advised some upcoming opportunities for business
to promote themselves online coming up with Experience Perth. TCCI to follow up and distribute to members ASAP.
Thanks so much again to Wendy and Karen and Paula - we look forward to a continued relationship with you. We will
discuss with our Committee at our next meeting any consideration to join Avon Valley Tourism Inc as a not for profit
- but TCCI will connect its website and Facebook Pages with Avon Valley Tourism as a minimum to start with.
Action – follow up email from Secretary to Avon Valley Tourism on items discussed and Clive create links on TCCI
website & Facebook to: http://www.avonvalleywa.com.au/ and https://www.facebook.com/AvonValleyWA
2.
Pervious Minutes, Agreed Actions, Comments – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved
with a small amemendment to insurance reference and succession plan name corrections.
Motion G.Smith, seconded C.Eger – Vote 7 in favour 0 against – carried.
3.
Correspondence – See attached report.
Motion: That the correspondence be accepted as described.
Moved C.Chitty, seconded G.Smith – Vote 7 in favour 0 against – carried.
4.
Treasurer’s Report (email submission)
Current bank balance is $4, 809.99, Christmas Party Account $3,443.58. Music festival account $3,000
reserved for the music festival.
Receipts:
Shire of Toodyay refund of hall deposit $500.
Payments:
Reimbursement to Shire of Toodyay $200 – paid membership twice.
Motion: President C.Chitty asks that the treasurers’ report be accepted as submitted.
Moved: B.Dadd, seconded G.Smith – Vote 7 in favour 0 against – carried.
5.
5.1
REPORTS
Planning for Christmas Street Party
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M.Dimmitt and G.Smith volunteered to manage and coordinate funding submissions for Xmas Party.
These include Bendigo Bank before 21 August, Toodyay Op Shop, Christmas 360 , Red Robin Hospitality
and request TBC from Shire of Toodyay budget submission for $7K. Call for volunteers on Xmas Party
Sub Committee – Clare Love, Gary Smith, Mark Dimmitt. Sub Committee had its first meeting and
recommends a bigger banner at top and bottom end of street party, seek a longer extension to street
closure and event timing. Action: B.Dadd to seek food businesses to stay open later incl Jeff & Di Roberts
if interested in writing submitions for grants, Coca Cola Café owner (Darren)regarding ideas for teenage
activity.. Plan to, continue with Youth/teenagers retreat, Fire twirling and stilt walkers for entertainment
and Gelato selling cart (Pecan Hill). Action: Organise gold coin donation to gift wrap presents purchased
on the night from businesses. Talk to Toodyay Farmers Market Committee to see if they can run on that
Friday night instead of Sat in Dec. Secretary to speak with Shire about Road closure and possibility of
extending time frame by at least one hour).
5.2
Northam & Toodyay Small Business Awards
M.Dimmit and G.Payne attended launch in Northam – good event. Sponsorship request gone to Shire
Toodyay. Action: TCCI Secretary to follow up with co-promotion of awards and send nomination forms
out to TCCI distribution list.
5.3
Calendar of Events 2015
 AGM needs to have date set in first two weeks of Oct. Action: Aug & Sep editions of Herald need to
advertise AGM. Need to secure a speaker and venue .
 Long Lunch and workshop on hold till we progress further discussion with Meerkats and Shire on
them assisting us and also collated data from business and community surveys. Perhaps hold it in
Sep before Toodyay Cup.
 Participation in BBQ bfast rolls and can bar for Toodyay Ag Show Sat 10 Oct Action: T.Chitty to liaise
with CWA and confirm.
 Xmas Party Fri 4 Dec
5.4
TCCI Marketing
Website needs some changes, changed slider to feature TCCI current members. Need profiles and pics
from most of our TCCI members still though. Have it for Oliomo and BAJV and BRL. SEO seems ok and
comes up when you search in google, Firefox, Bing, Yahoo etc. Still need a decision to produce or not
produce window stickers for TCCI members. Added TRANSWA timetable to website. Action: Secretary
to send an email to TCCI members asking them to provide a small bio for their business, some profile
pics, links to website / Facebook pages etc for us to market them through TCCI and send direct to Clive’s
email address. Suggestion we post articles and themes from our monthly editorial in Herald though
Facebook posts as well. Put copies of articles up under News on website as well. Action: Clive to use PDF
copies from Herald online for website news. Liaise with barb for soft copy of her articles to place through
Facebook.
5.5
Surveys
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ABN 25 713 827 746
PO BOX 292
TOODYAY 6566
Barb Dadd reported that the survey has been drafted but that further discussion is needed on deciding
distribution methods, scope and costs. Does the scope of the survey need to be reduced? Many on
Committee felt the surveys may still be too long. There was general discussion and a sense that, while
the survey project was initiated with great enthusiasm and considerable support that it should be
postponed until after discussions with Mike from Meerkats, including their thoughts on it, feedback /
peer review? Proposed we split survey into 2 steps – community 1st, business face to face 2nd, tourism
market third (accommodation providers vs. day tripper tourism)
More detailed planning needs to be worked through and felt the wrap at $2600 too expensive unless
we could negotiate wrap or 2 page layout for $1900. Acknowledge and thanked the Sub Committee for
all their work thus far particularly B. Dadd as Coordinator. Action – Further discussion at July & Aug
meeting in interim Barb and Clive to now review surveys and look at how this can be accessible and
linked through TCCI website. Action: Clive to liaise with Barb and test.
Motion: M. Dimmitt asked the Reports be accepted.
Moved C.Love, seconded B.Dadd – Vote 7 in favour 0 against – carried.
6.0
GENERAL BUSINESS
Meerkats Proposal
Action Outstanding – C.O’Sullivan / C.Chitty if not achieved by 23/6 to request if Merrkats can provide
a copy or summary of the presentation they gave to put up on TCCI website once Mike has returned
mid-June. After some discussions there is still some significant interest in exploring Meerkats Services
to assist Toodyay to realise its True Potential and the concept guide Meerkats has supplied. Date
tentatively set 4pm timeslot for one of following Fri 31 July, Fri 7 August or Fri 14 August. Council Offices
15 Fiennes Street, Toodyay (08) 9574 2258. Actions: Secretary to confirm date with Mike, Charles, Stan
Scott and either M Dimmitt / B Dadd.
Succession Plan – Dinner Event
Leadership group was formed - M.Dimmitt and M.O’Sullivan coordinating a dinner party with partners
at Pecan Hill for 27 / 28 June. Discussed candidates and the following considerations were discussed and
to be finalized for next event update. Considerations perhaps - Sweethearts, Greg Warburton and
partner Vicki, Carolyn and Peter Makit Hardware, Tennille Hughes and partner CRC, Andrew & Lyn Barr,
Fred & Joan , Laurel & Stan Scott and Famous Sharron (Fringe Festivals & Moondyne) – as Chair and
entertainment as a hired guest? Red Robin Hospitality to arrange dinner menu and hosts will be M
Dimmitt and M O’Sullivan. Action - M.Dimmitt to discuss with M.O’Sullivan and G.Smith and propose
more details and run event.
Topic for July Herald
Action - Barb Dadd will write a column for the Herald . Topics, TCCI Committee positions for AGM, Topic
from Avon Tourism Presentation.
Toodyay Ag Show
Request for $25 / $50 sponsorship. Group discussed and majority felt we should sponsor $50 and contact
CWA to do fundraising BBQ and can bar. Action – Secretary to confirm sponsorship with Ag society. Trish
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to contact CWA. Gary will supply BBQ but need to arrange with J.Clarke to collect in morning and C.Chitty
logistics for food. C.Love and one other to volunteer for cool drink bar.
RV friendly Town
Discussions & feedback from request to pursue and market Toodyay as RV friendly town. Deferred till
further feedback from Toodyay Caravan Park and Shire on this item.
Coverage for TCCI Secretary.
Secretary will be away 13 July, C.Love will take minutes that meeting. C O’Sullivan will compile
correspondence list and email by 4pm on 13 July to M.Dimmitt to bring to meeting.
Moved G.Smith, seconded C.Eger – Vote 7 in favour 0 against – carried.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.40pm.
7.
NEXT MEETING – 13 July 2015 at 7.15pm.
Email: 2jchamber@gmail.com
ABN 25 713 827 746
PO BOX 292
TOODYAY 6566