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November 2008
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Message from the Chairperson
May 2008 saw the introduction of the Ipswich Heritage Faire at Woodlands of Marburg. The development and staging of this event was a partnership between Event Management students at the Bremer Institute of TAFE, Woodlands of Marburg, Council's Marketing Branch and the Ipswich community. With around 1,000 visitors from the South East Queensland region, the Faire will become a regular feature of the City's Event Calendar. 2008 also saw the introduction of The Kids in the City program which runs during the Queensland school holidays. The summer program for 2008/09 holidays features a range of activities including movies, puppet shows, story telling, craft workshops, a Summer Safari and, of course, "Thomas" is back at The Workshops Rail Museum. For more information visit www.ipswichcentral.com.au On Sunday 9 November, River Sessions were launched at the award-winning River Heart Parklands. A series of free concerts featuring jazz and easy listening music, River Sessions are a perfect way to enjoy a laid-back Sunday afternoon. What's this all got to do with tourism? It's all about giving visitors more wonderful things to experience when they come to Ipswich - and it's great for the locals too. Everyone benefits from Tourism! Best wishes for the Holiday Season and a Prosperous 2009 for us all.
Cr David Pahlke |
In this issue...DATE CLAIMER: Ipswich Visitor and Tourism Association AGMThe Ipswich Visitor and Tourism Association's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 November from 6.00pm at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre. This meeting will involve the election of the 2009 management committee. For details, telephone 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] Local Winners Shine at State Tourism AwardsLocal tourism operators have taken top honours at the 2008 Queensland Tourism Awards announced in Brisbane on 14 November. The Workshops Rail Museum won the Heritage and Cultural Tourism category, ahead of tough competition from well-known attractions including the Museum of Tropical Queensland and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
A third Scenic Rim operator, Lillydale Host Farm, was named Best Hosted Accommodation. All three will now progress to compete against interstate winners of their respective categories at the Australian Tourism Awards which will be announced in Melbourne on 27 February. Pictured is Director of The Workshops Rail Museum, Andrew Moritz, at the Queensland Tourism Awards. |
Advocates to Share Pride in CityIpswich's newest ambassadors will be officially unveiled next month in a special ceremony at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre.
The Advocates will also help educate other Ipswich residents about the special experiences they and their visitors can enjoy around the city and will be available to speak to groups if required. They will receive training in a series of free familiarisation tours of Ipswich and surrounds, as well as invitations to selected events and launches and priority advice about new promotional materials and tourism products. More than 40 per cent of the 688,000 people visiting Ipswich each year are coming to the city to see friends or relatives. These friends or relatives therefore represent an excellent resource for the general promotion of Ipswich and its attractions. Council looks forward to working with the new Ipswich Advocates to create memorable experiences for people visiting Ipswich. [ Back to Top ] Revamp for Cobb and Co Drive
The popular drive experience, which begins at the Workshops Rail Museum in Ipswich and finishes at the Cobb and Co Museum in Toowoomba, will be enhanced with a new brochure and interpretative signage along the route. The new brochure is currently being developed with assistance from the two museums involved. Ipswich's connection to Cobb and Co dates back to 1 January 1866 when the historic company made its first Queensland coach journey from Brisbane to Ipswich. In those days, passengers and mail were transported by rail from Ipswich to Grandchester before continuing their journey via Cobb and Co coach to Toowoomba. Rural townships such as Rosewood were original stopover points along the route. Cobb and Co coaches carried passengers, mail and parcels for 70 years in every mainland colony of Australia as well as in New Zealand, South Africa and Japan. By 1900, the company operated 39 routes in Queensland, covering 7750 kilometres. Each week, with an average of two services per route, Cobb and Co would harness 9000 horses and travel more than 31,000 kilometres. The last Cobb and Co coach ran on the Yuleba-Surat route on 14 August 1924. Picture courtesy of Cobb and Co Museum, Toowoomba. [ Back to Top ] River Sessions Jazz Up Parklands
Proudly supported by Energex and Ipswich Central, the River Sessions were officially launched on Sunday 9 November with performances by "Reflectiv Duo", "Jam on Toast" and The Bremer Big Band . Held at the River Heart Piazza near the cascade water feature, the River Sessions are scheduled for the second and last Sunday of each month and feature a program of light entertainment from 3.00pm to 6.00pm. A variety of talented, experienced musicians perform jazz or soft popular music in a relaxed atmosphere. So bring along a picnic and a blanket to sit on and enjoy some fabulous live entertainment down by the river on a summer afternoon. For more information, visit www.ipswichcentral.com.au. Pictured are Chris Hollier and Daniel Philippe from Ipswich-based 'Reflectiv Duo', who performed at the first River Sessions concert. [ Back to Top ] AussieHost Training Success
"AussieHost" is a full-day customer service program organised by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council. The training was held in Boonah in September in conjunction with Visitor Information Centres from the Scenic Rim Regional Council area. The Ipswich participants will receive their certificates from Mayor Paul Pisasale at a special function at the VIC on Thursday 4 December. Due to the high proportion of volunteers and staff at the VIC completing the AussieHost course, the centre is now recognised as a Bronze AussieHost business. Pictured is Michael Williams and Sandra Harle with visitors from France. [ Back to Top ] Christmas Lights Tours Ready to Roll
The tours will depart at 7.00pm from the Ipswich City Council car park in Roderick Street, returning to the car park at around 10.00pm. Half way through the tour, a light supper will be provided at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre. For the first time, bookings for these tours will be available online through Ipswich City Council's tourism website www.discoveripswich.com.au via the Ticket Sales section. Alternatively, you can drop into the Visitor Information Centre to purchase your ticket in person. Tickets are priced at $18 for adults and $14 for concessions, children and students. For more information, telephone 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] Coming EventsA complete listing of events can be found on Council's website www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/about_ipswich/events To make online bookings for the Christmas Lights Tour and The Kids in the City Summer Safari go to www.discoveripswich.com.au/search_all.asp?code=548&codedesc=Events [ Back to Top ] |
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Websites Of InterestIf you are aware of a funding program or funding website that we have not listed, please contact us at info@discoveripswich.com.au
Grants & Subsidies Funding Opportunities:These websites assist business and community to access government funding programs and associated guidelines:-
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IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL |
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This will be our last Tourism Update for 2008 and what an eventful year it has been.
Popular country retreat, Peppers Hidden Vale, also enjoyed success, winning the coveted Best Deluxe Accommodation category. This latest award follows the retreat's success at the Southern Downs Restaurant and Catering Queensland Awards for Excellence in which its signature restaurant Cotton’s was named Best Hotel Restaurant.
Ipswich City Council has selected 23 residents who have agreed to volunteer their services as Ipswich Advocates to represent the city and share their pride with visitors.
Ipswich City Council and Lockyer Valley Regional Council have joined forces to revitalise the Cobb and Co Tourist Drive.
The River Heart Parklands is bringing music to the people through a series of free Sunday afternoon concerts in Ipswich Central.
Fifteen volunteers and three staff members from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre (VIC) recently completed customer service training.
The popular Ipswich Christmas Lights Tours are back for another year and will be held on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 December.