May 2009
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Message from the Chairperson
As Queensland celebrates its 150th birthday, Ipswich is celebrating its own unique heritage during Heritage Week (9-17 May). This is your chance to see behind closed doors many of our wonderful heritage buildings which will be open up to the public. The Heritage Faire is back again, thanks to the hard work of the Event Management students at Bremer TAFE and the staff at Woodlands of Marburg. It's a great day out on Sunday 17 May and I look forward to seeing you there. It's true that Ipswich offers a variety of events for visitors and residents alike throughout the year, but in coming months things really start to hot up ... the Australian Superbikes Championships, Winternationals and the Ipswich Cup are all on the calendar for June. If you want to find out more about what's on or what to see and do in Ipswich, why not call into the newly refurbished Visitor Information Centre in Queens Park (they do a great coffee there!) or check out Ipswich City Council's tourism website - www.discoveripswich.com.au. Cr David Pahlke | In this issue...City Prepares to Celebrate Heritage WeekThe city's rich heritage will be showcased as part of Ipswich Heritage Week celebrations from 9 to 17 May. Held as part of the Q150 celebrations marking Queensland's 150th anniversary, Ipswich Heritage Week offers a wide range of events to suit history buffs of all ages. You can take a guided tour of St Paul's and St Mary's churches; visit historic homes such as Booval House, Claremont House and Rockton; see a display of early telegraph equipment; have your antiques appraised and much more. A special event of note is the Ipswich Heritage Guided Walking Tour on Wednesday 13 May from 10am to noon. Enjoy an informative guided walking tour providing a unique insight into Ipswich's amazing history. The tour costs just $10 which includes morning tea. Bookings are essential. 
For bookings and more information, including a full program of Ipswich Heritage Week events, please contact the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] |
Ipswich Heritage Faire Set to Delight
The Faire was held for the first time last year and attracted around 1000 visitors from across south east Queensland. The success of the inaugural event led to council's decision to make it an annual fixture on the city's events calendar. The 2009 Faire promises to be a great day out for the whole family. There will be a full program of live entertainment, more than 20 stallholders from The Handmade Expo, heritage displays, vintage car display, children's activities and historical re-enactments (including the Town Crier, pictured). The event will be held from 10am to 3pm at Woodlands of Marburg, 174 Seminary Road. Entry is free and morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be available. For more information, contact the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre on 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] TQUAL Grants on OfferThe Federal Government's Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism administers TQUAL grants, aimed at stimulating sustainable growth in the Australian tourism industry. Formerly known as the Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP), TQUAL grants are designed to support initiatives that develop innovative tourism product, services or systems within the tourism industry that contribute directly to long-term economic development in the region and support high quality visitor services and experiences. Private sector businesses are able to apply for grants from $5000 to $100,000 and non-profit organisations can apply for grants from $5000 to $500,000. For more information, visit the website at www.ausindustry.gov.au/tourism. [ Back to Top ] VIC Visitors Spread the WordAn unprecedented number of coach groups are coming to Ipswich and stopping in at the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre (VIC). Fourteen coach groups are currently booked in May and June alone. Sometimes the groups drop in to pick up their tour guide, while others stop to have morning tea on the veranda overlooking Queens Park. Much positive feedback has been received from the groups on the gardens surrounding the VIC, as well as the VIC itself, and all visitors have left with the promise of spreading the word about what a great city Ipswich is to visit. Tour group bookings at the VIC are essential. Telephone 3281 0555. [ Back to Top ] Internship Program Provides Tourism TrainingIpswich City Council partners with the University of Queensland's School of Tourism (St Lucia) to give students hands-on experience in the tourism industry. Five or six students will come to Ipswich for 10 days in September/October as part of the internship program and will spend time working at hotels and tourist attractions. They will do everything from housekeeping and reception work to customer service and ticket-selling. While they are in the region, the students will also work on a tourism project. [ Back to Top ] 
AussieHost - Better Service, Better BusinessAussieHost is a full-day, accredited customer service program which is recognised throughout Australia. A training day was held at Country Comfort Ipswich on 22 April and was attended by five staff and volunteers from the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre and four staff from the Scenic Rim View Cottages (pictured). The 100% attendance of the Cottages staff qualifies them as a GOLD AussieHost Business. The latest session followed on from the previous AussieHost training held in Boonah, but this time was opened up to tourism operators as well. Further AussieHost training sessions will be offered throughout 2009/10 for businesses. Remember ... better service means better business. [ 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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Welcome to the 313 recipients who will be receiving this edition of the Ipswich Tourism Update e-newsletter.
Ipswich City Council has again joined forces with Woodlands of Marburg and Event Management students from Bremer TAFE to present the 2009 Ipswich Heritage Faire on Sunday 17 May.