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January 2009
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Message from the Chairperson
There's been a bit of coverage in the media lately about the downturn in international visitors to Australia and the negative impact that this will have on tourism business. While we get around 11,000 international visitors to Ipswich annually, this number represents only 1% of our total visitation. Indications are that domestic tourism (our main market) will strengthen during 2009 and we are looking forward to continued growth in numbers in our day and overnight domestic visitor markets. 2009 will see the launch of our latest Tourism Strategy which will provide the direction for tourism development in Ipswich over the next three years. I would like to thank all the tourism stakeholders who attended the full day workshop back in December last year for their time and valuable input into the consultation process for the strategy development. Congratulations to recently elected board members of the Ipswich Visitors and Tourism Association (IVTA) This membership based association is an important link between Council and the tourism industry in Ipswich. The new board members represent a cross section of the tourism industry including accommodation, tours, transport, events and attractions. I encourage any business that benefits from tourism (and that's just about everyone) to consider becoming a member of the IVTA. Remember - tourism is everyone's business.
Cr David Pahlke |
In this issue...New IVTA Board ElectedThe new Board of the Ipswich Visitors and Tourism Association (IVTA) was elected in December. The 2009 President is Anthony Taylor from Niche Small Luxury Hotel, Springfield. He will be ably assisted by Vice President Keith Lewis (Queensland Raceway), Treasurer Frank Oliveri (Southern Cross Transit), Peter Graves (Country Comfort Motor Inn) and Carmel McKenzie (Hughies Tours). The new Board has made a commitment to getting out and about, holding board meetings in different locations around Ipswich. Meetings will be followed by networking functions. 
Membership of IVTA is strongly encouraged. Contact the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 3281 0555 to get a Membership Prospectus which details the benefits of membership. Workshop Outcomes Assist Strategy DevelopmentA full-day Sustainable Tourism Workshop, involving Ipswich City Council's internal and external tourism stakeholders, was held at the Ipswich Club in December. The workshop was facilitated by Mark Olsen, formerly with Tourism Queensland, now General Manager at EC3 Global - the commercial arm of the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre. Twenty-seven people attended the workshop which formed part of the consultative process for the development of the Ipswich Tourism Strategy which is scheduled for release in early March this year. Pictured is IVTA President Anthony Taylor and Cr David Pahlke at the Sustainable Tourism Workshop. [ Back to Top ] |
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Advertising Now Open for 2009 Visitor GuideThe advertising prospectus for the 2009 Ipswich Visitor Guide is now available through the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre. The Visitor Guide is Ipswich City Council's primary piece of promotional collateral for tourism and is widely distributed throughout Queensland and Northern New South Wales - the city's key visitor markets. For more information on how your business can be promoted in the guide, telephone 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] Kids Enjoy Summer Safari
A very enthusiastic group of children and their parents and carers enjoyed a host of organised activities at three Ipswich Central parks - Queens Park, Denmark Hill Conservation Park and River Heart Parklands. The Summer Safari was part of the Kids in the City school holiday program. If you would like to see some photos from the event, go to http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/ and click on Kids in the City. Pictured having fun at the Triassic Area of Denmark Hill Conservation Park are members of the Summer Safari Emu Group. [ Back to Top ] Gallery Workshop Bookings Go Online
The gallery can now offer residents and visitors the convenience of making online bookings for events and workshops. While many of the gallery's events are free, limited capacity means bookings are often essential and previously would need to have been made during business hours. With the automated reservation system available 24/7, patrons can now simply go online and make a booking at a time that suits them. The Ipswich Art Gallery is open seven days a week from 10.00am to 5.00pm and admission is free. For more information on events and workshops, visit to the gallery's website at http://www.ipswichartgallery.qld.gov.au/ . [ Back to Top ] Q150 Celebrations on Offer
This milestone provides a unique opportunity to celebrate Queensland throughout the year and a range of events are planned to engage residents from every corner of the State. Major events on offer include the Q150 Entertainment Shed which will present headline acts and showcase local talent at 13 tour stops around Queensland and the Q150 Steam Train that will wind its way through the State from April to August. The train journey ends at our very own Workshops Rail Museum on Sunday 30 August. Programs for Q150 celebrations in the South East Queensland region are now available through the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre. For more information, drop into the centre or 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 MOVIES IN THE PARKAfter a break during the school holidays, these popular fun-for-all-the family events start again on Saturday 7 February with the movie, High School Musical 111, screening at 6.45pm at Jack Barkley Park, North Booval. Movies in the Park continue through February and March. More information about movies and venues can be found at http://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/ RIVER SESSIONSFor a great way to spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon, head down to River Heart Parklands and enjoy some easy listening jazz brought to you by Energex and Ipswich Central. River Sessions are held on the second and last Sundays of the month. During February and March these free performances start at 3.00pm and go through to around 6.00pm. More information about dates and times are available on http://www.ipswichcentral.com.au/
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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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Happy New Year to you all.
The inaugural Kids in the City Summer Safari bus tour was a huge success, completely booked out by families keen to cure the school holiday boredom blues.
The Ipswich Art Gallery is one of the latest local attractions to take advantage of the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre's automated reservation system.
Queensland celebrates 150 years of independence from New South Wales on 10 December, 2009.