Program Day 11 – 26 October (Nature Based Tourism)

Local leaders discuss nature-based tourism in the Great South Coast region

The Great Ocean Road is widely known as the most frequently visited tourist destination in Victoria outside Melbourne, but data shows that tourists don’t tend to extend their visit into Great South Coast region. Ms Chris White, Group Manager, Product Marketing with Tourism Victoria, challenged a group of aspiring local leaders taking part in the Leadership Great South Coast workshop held at Lake Condah to look at the opportunities and challenges of nature-based tourism for the Great South Coast.

Ms White explained that there are a number of measures that are used to determine to value of tourism which include length of time, expenditure as well as visitor numbers, with expenditure being a critically important measure and one with tangible the benefits to a region. At present, the Great Ocean Road is a popular day tour destination for visitors, with the Twelve Apostles the major attractor for the region, said Ms White. The challenge lay in enticing visitors to stay longer in the region. She said more tourism experiences need to be developed and promoted, to encourage tourists to extend their stay.

The message about needing more natural tourist attractions in the Great South Coast region was amplified by two other experts on the natural and cultural history of the area. Professor Bernie Joyce, a geologist from The University of Melbourne, spoke about the volcanoes of south western Victoria and the creation of the Kanawinka Geopark, which incorporates the volcanic area from Geelong to south east South Australia, to celebrate and promote them. Over 100 volcanoes are found in the area of the Geopark, and many such as Mt Eccles are quite young, suggesting the area might still have further eruptions to come. Professor Joyce said the most likely place for one would be near the most recent volcanic activity, that is, somewhere in the Great South Coast – but there are no signs at the moment!

Mr Denis Rose, Project Manager for the Budj Bim Sustainable Development Partnership and a Gunditjmara person, explained how the natural riches of the Lake Condah area had allowed the Gunditjmara people to settle and farm the fish. Denis showed the group fish traps, remains of stone houses, Lake Condah itself, and the ruins of the Lake Condah Mission. He provided an overview of current moves to have the area declared a World Heritage Area by UNESCO.

Participants ended the day with an expanded knowledge of nature-based tourism opportunities in the region. The Great South Coast is much more than the Great Ocean Road.

2013 Scholarships

2013 Scholarships* Announced 

• Women’s Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West – $2800
• Committee for Portland – $3000
• South West Community Foundation – $2000 x 2
• Gardiner Foundation – $2500 x 2
• Deakin University – $1500

Please note your intention to apply for a scholarship on the application form. Each scholarship application is assessed on a case by case basis against scholarship criteria.

*Notes – Selection criteria applies. Participant $ contibution is required prior to Program start, 1 Feb 2013.

Fees should not restrict appropriate candidates from applying. If funding is an issue for you or your organisation please advise at the time of application.

Executive Officer Amanda Hennessy is available to discuss your application and support you through the process.  Please do not hesitate to call if you need any further information. Please see contact page

Program Day 10 – 12 October (Ethics & Economy)

Day 10 was sponsored and held at Demo Dairy, located just west of Terang http://www.demodairy.org.au/ . Demo Dairy is an industry initiated, shareholder run cooperative, with the general aim of dairying advancement through research, experimentation and demonstration. Kym Mathew, Farm Manager gave a tour and shared his philosophy of the “cows come first” as key to running a productive and profitable operation.

Professor Greg Wood, Deakin University, presented business ethics, highlighting recent events in sports, corporate business, politics and the law. Discussing the question can a fair trial be conducted in the modern social media environment? A self-assessment that explored how as individuals we all varying “ethically” was a highlight of the session.

After lunch the program shifted into dairy mode, the group heard from two local leaders in the industry Mike Weise, an industry consultant and Roma Britnell, 2009 Australian Rural Woman of the Year.  Mike provided an overview of the industry stressing the need for dairy literacy and awareness by the general public. Roma gave the group insights into her personal leadership journey which the group found to be both fascinating and inspiring.

The day was wrapped up by Francis Tevere, Manager Marketing and Promotion, Regional Development Victoria (RDV).  Francis provided an outline of RDV campaigns including Good Move which are targeted at metropolitan Melbourne and designed to attract skills to regional areas.  

Hosts Announced for 15 Nov Program Day

The following MP’s have generously offered to host the 2012 participants for lunch on our 15 November Program Day to Victorian Parliament:

• The Hon. Denis Napthine, Member for South West Coast and Minister for Regional Cities, Major Projects, Racing, Ports
• The Hon. Terry Mulder, Member for Polwarth and Minister for Roads and Public
• The Hon. Hugh Delahunty, Member for Lowan and Minister for Sport and Recreation, Veterans’ Affairs
• Simon Ramsay, Member for Western Victoria

The participants will also attend question time and enjoy a tour of Parliament.

Leadership Victoria http://www.leadershipvictoria.org/home will also host us at the Old Treasury Building on the day.

Our Spotlight on Leadership speaker is Mr Stephen Mayne from the Mayne Report.