Detailed below is a message from the Tourism Industry Council of NSW concerning their efforts on behalf of the NSW Tourism Industry to secure additional funding from the NSW Government.
I apologies to our colleagues from States other than NSW but as the AITO data base is not split along State boundaries then everybody gets the information. It makes for a good read. And who knows – you could be in a similar situation one day and I’m sure your NSW Colleagues would be most interested and sympathetic.
Hooroo
Tom Phillips
President
Australian Institute of Tourism Officers
Good afternoon Tom,
It’s time for another TICNSW update in relation to our efforts to ensure the $40 million in additional tourism funding announced by the then Tourism Minister Matt Brown to 250 industry personnel at the Four Seasons Hotel, Sydney, on Wednesday 13th August, is protected.
TICNSW sought financial contribution from some of our major Association members and we are pleased to advise that the AHA, HMAA and the CCIA together with some consolidated revenue from TIC coffers, created a fund sufficient to employ the service of political lobbyists, Hawker Britton, (Google them to assess their background).
We have employed Hawker Britton for a one month set fee contract. What feedback we received from our earlier request for information from AITO members has been invaluable so to those of you who responded thanks very much.
To date Hawker Britton have not been able to get to any of the stipulated politicians: Premier Rees and Ministers Roozendaal; Tripodi; or McDonald. Hawker Britton have so far stayed clear of Jodi McKay, as the decision will be made by those more senior Ministers. They have made presentations to several senior policy advisers, the people who work to create the strategies upon which the politicians sign off, so that our message is getting through.
One of our Board members, Peter Olah for the HMAA had a one on one with Premier Rees recently and asked point blank where the announced funding was, with the answer “you’ll just have to trust me and wait for the mini budget”. TIC Chairman Ken Corbett has had meetings with the Minister Jodi McKay to discuss the funding as well.
The Chris Brown/TTF has also written a letter to the Premier countersigned by most of TTFs top of town members, calling for the funding to be guaranteed. We can be assured that should the $40 million be forthcoming Mr. Brown will take the accolade, but please be assured this is a whole of industry approach.
Next Monday evening we are conducting a Ministers Welcome function and I have been advised from her office that every person she has so far met from the industry has hammered her with the same request – where is our money, so she is under no illusion as to the seriousness of our requests.
If the full $40 million is eventually approved we can consider ourselves fortunate as areas such as health, transport, education etc are such big statewide issues that tourism is so often not considered important.
So we look forward to the mini budget on 11th November and with good fortune, positive direction from our Minister when she opens our 2008 NSW Tourism Conference at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour on Wednesday 19th November.
We still have seating available for the Conference so please consider, and would NSW Tourism Managers please take note of the Tourism Managers Exchange (TMX) set for Friday 21st November at the Portside Centre. Bookings can be made at the TICNSW office. The TMX agenda should be distributed early next week.
With regards, and thanks Tom,
Brian Hardiman
Operations Manager
Tourism Industry Council NSW
Wednesday 1st October 2008 To - Tourism Managers of New South Wales
Colleagues all,
Reference: 2008 NSW Tourism Conference, the Rod Murdoch Awards.
Tourism Managers Exchange and the 2008 NSW Tourism Awards
This coming November is shaping up as a busy and important month for our industry with the following events scheduled: 2008 NSW Tourism Conference: 19th–20th November: brought to you by the Tourism Industry Council NSW with principal sponsorship from Tourism New South Wales. This key event will be conducted at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Sydney’s Darling Harbour .
2008 Rod Murdoch Awards: 19th November: will be presented immediately after day one of the Conference at the Terrace Room of the Australian National Maritime Museum at a relaxed cocktail party. This year the daughter of the late Rod Murdoch, Lesley Scarlett will present the Awards. Lesley is the CEO of the Southern Group of Councils.
2008 NSW Tourism Awards & Presentation Dinner: 20th November: will be conducted by Tourism New South Wales at Star City on the evening following the second day of the Tourism Conference. (Details will be sent to you by Tourism New South Wales direct).
2008 Tourism Managers Exchange (TMX): 21st November: brought to you by the Tourism Industry Council NSW with the support of Tourism New South Wales. This FOC event will be held at the Portside Centre, Level 5, 207 Kent Street Sydney (Symantec House) from 8.30am on Friday 21st and is scheduled to finish by 3.00pm to allow our regional colleagues the opportunity to get out of town before the peak traffic build up. (Program details will follow shortly).
We would urge you to take advantage of the early bird registration for the conference by downloading the conference brochure from the TIC website www.ticnsw.com.au and faxing back the completed registration form. There are also accommodation booking details on the website where Accor Hotels in the Darling Harbour precinct are offering an industry rate for delegates.
The program of events for the Conference and TMX have been designed with industry consultation to make it educational and informative and we look forward to welcoming you.
With regards,
Brian Hardiman
Operations Manager
Tourism Industry Council NSW
Level 3 , 309 Pitt Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: 9267 6865
Mob: 0412 277 883 www.ticnsw.com.au
Wednesday 1st October 2008. Welcome to Georgie Keene – our newest member of AITO. Georgie is the Team leader, Economic Development and Tourism at Coonabarabran, NSW. The Warrumbungle Region offers a place to relax in unspoilt beauty, where you can discover hidden treasures and unwind in peaceful country towns.
Located in Central NSW, Warrumbungle Region is 5-6 hours drive from Sydney, half way between Melbourne and Brisbane, and within 2 hours drive of the regional cities of Dubbo and Tamworth.
Most famous, well amongst us star gazers, is the Siding Spring Observatory, Australia’s largest optical astronomy research facility.
And – The virtual solar system. All the planets on Highway billboards – but 38 million times smaller that outer space. If you haven’t seen it – it is well worth the drive just to get your head around the size of the solar system. It is, to my mind, the best sign posting project ever built.
Good on you Georgie – what a great part of the world to look after.
Tuesday 30th September 2008 This is not about jobs you can apply for but about jobs a couple of our fellow AITO members have landed in the last few days
Jo Gash - one of the original members of AITO (Member no 13)
Jo is the Federal Member for Gilmore these days but still sees her grounding in all things good when she was the Tourism Manager for the Southern Highlands in NSW. She then went on to own her own Tourism business, became a Councillor on Wingecarribee Shire with a very large popular vote, was elected to Federal Parliament and through sheer hard work turned a very marginal seat into a very safe seat - for Jo.
Up until recently Jo was Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism. True to the job Jo went on a road trip towing a pop up caravan and staying in caravan parks all over South Eastern Australia to gain first hand knowledge of the issues "out there on the road".
However as I write this Jo is in New York as one of two MP's acting as parliamentary advisers to Australia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations. No doubt she will have some advice for Prime Minister Kevin Rudd when he addresses the General Assembly of the UN.
Bindi Gove - and this is the original Bindi - not the one who is a crocodile whisperer up there in Queensland.
On 13 October Bindi begins begin her new role as the Adviser to the Federal Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson.
It's an amazing opportunity to work for the industry at that level and seems such a long way from her humble beginnings as a Tourism Officer in West Wyalong, then Yass, and Penrith and then into Economic Development in Benalla, then the Country Victoria Tourism Council, Tourism Alliance Victoria and now the Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Bindi has grabbed every opportunity as it has come along and sometimes has just let destiny lead her. This path has now led to Parliament House in Canberra. In Bindi's own words - "the trick has been to seize every opportunity that came my way and to make new ones just when I felt like I was getting comfortable!" "I'll see you in the soup no doubt."
Not too sure what type of soup that is - but it is sure to have lumps, vegetables and meaty bits in it to make it more interesting.
So for AITO we are well placed. Members on both sides of the fence in Canberra and both in positions to influence the destiny of our Nation.
And – for all the young Tourism Officers and Tourism Managers coming through - a bit of advice from a “grey beard” – stick with it - who knows where your job in Tourism will lead.
Hooroo
tom
Tom Phillips
President
Australian Institute of Tourism Officers
27/06/08.Congratulations to AITO Colleague Brian Hardiman.
He has been appointed to the job advertised in “Jobs on the Go” last week with the Tourism Industry Council NSW
Good on you Brian – should be gangs of fun
27/06/08.AITO Member Stuart Allardice takes on a new challenge
After a decade (plus a bit more) working at the Visitor Centre and in the Tourism and Marketing area of Armidale Council, Manager, Stuart Allardice, has moved on to a new and exciting venture. Stuart has been appointed the Executive Officer for the New England North West Regional Tourism Organisation.
Congratulations Stuart.
14/05/08. Welcome to our newest AITO member Misty Gardner, Manager Tourism and Promotions with Forbes Shire Council. Misty comes to the position with a wealth of marketing experience over the last 8 years including being the Promotions Manager for the V8 supercars. From this are we to assume that you are a bit of a rev-head Misty?
Forbes is a great part of the world, with the magnificent Lachlan River running through the town – what a great stretch of water to go canoeing on.
A Note from our Treasurer
Hi Tom and everybody
Well the Greening's are on the move to where the weather is a little warmer than Melbourne with its weather extremes
Our new address is
3 Kaballa Ave
Port Macquarie 2444
Phone 02 6582 3316
Could you please put this information out on you next News Letter and perhaps remind members that their
AITO memberships are now due.
Qualifications
Are you or somebody you know looking to further your qualifications in Tourism
NMIT (Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE) is one of Australia’s leading colleges in Tourism education and the one that the AITO has an arrangement with to provide formal qualifications in Tourism.
NMIT has vacancies in its courses for 2008 in
Certificate IV – natural and Cultural Tourism (tour Guiding)
Dual Diplomas Tourism (Operations Management and Marketing and Product Development)
Dual Diplomas Tourism (Operations Management and Event Management)
Certificate IV Tourism (Operations)
Certificate III Tourism (Visitor Information Services)
Certificate III Meetings and Events
NMIT offers students
Mentoring program for 1st and 2nd year students
Industry placement
Department membership in the Young Tourism network
Exciting Excursions, field trips and seminars
Participation in industry events and functions.
Importantly for AITO members who are not in Melbourne, NMIT also specialises in distance education and also in the recognition of prior learning (RPL).
