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The City of Whyalla was acknowledged at the July Whyalla Tourism Focus Group meeting.
The group gathered at the Playford Apartments on Thursday (July 19) with the meeting carrying the theme of “Exciting Times for Whyalla”. Guest speakers Captain Aaron Hillier from Becker Helicopters and Development Manager David Penfold from Regional Development Australia Whyalla and Eyre Peninsula (RDAWEP), addressed about 50 members at the meeting.
Chair of group, Barbara Derham opened the meeting by declaring Whyalla was now on the world stage with new industry players in town like GFG Alliance and Becker Helicopters providing the momentum to generate new tourism initiatives. She said, in conjunction with Council, the focus group was helping with some exciting ideas for further promote the city and region.
“I can’t thank Council enough for acknowledging that tourism and visitors to the region is an industry that is wanted here in Whyalla,” Ms Derham said.
“We’ve had meetings with Council officials that are all about building a better Whyalla and telling the world what we are doing here and what we have to offer.
“We’re on the world stage now and there isn’t a week goes by where Whyalla isn’t in the news for all right reasons in Australia and globally.”
At the meeting, Ms Derham also revealed that Council was helping the group to formulate the Whyalla Tourism & Economic Strategy Plan 2018-2022. Other focus group activities included a meeting with State Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway, more discussions about bringing a billy cart race to the city and talks with Federal Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, to have a 66km section of road between Whyalla and Kimba sealed.
Ms Derham also gave thanks for UniSA Regional Manager Paul Havelberg and Council for their assistance in setting up the focus group’s main street visitor centre. UniSA will also be providing a marketing student to work with the focus group for a six-week period later this year.
Both Cpt Hillier and Mr Penfold reinforced the bright tourism future for Whyalla in their presentations. Cpt Hillier outlined Becker Helicopters’ plans to have up to 80 staff on the ground when fully operational in Whyalla with scenic tourism flights an area they were looking to move into immediately.
Mr Penfold talked about the importance of the visitor economy to Whyalla, saying there was a “massive window” to move forward when it came to the tourism and business visitor industries.
The next Whyalla Tourism Focus Group gathering will be the annual general meeting in mid September.
Picture: Guest speakers David Penfold and Captain Aaron Hillier at the Whyalla Tourism Focus Group meeting.