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WORKING TOGETHER:The Whyalla Tourism Focus Group board members with the City of Whyalla elected members and Acting CEO Kristen Clark at last week's Community Group Meetings in the Council chamber.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Mayor Clare McLaughlin has congratulated the new Whyalla Tourism Focus Group (WTFG) executive committee and says she is looking forward to working with the group once again in 2020.
Late last year the WTFG held its annual general meeting where Barbara Derham (Foreshore Motor Inn) was returned as chair person. Other elected members include Michele Hart, treasurer; Teresa Coles, secretary volunteer (Whyalla Visitor Centre); Michael Cresshull (PIRSA); Carl Church, (Eyre Hotel); David Owens, volunteer member; Craig Swingler (Alexander Motel); Rob North, proxy Samantha North, (Somethin Tastee); Ryan Sutherland (Middleback Arts Centre).
Mayor McLaughlin said community groups such as the WTFG were vital in a regional city like Whyalla.
“Council is here to serve the community but with ratepayer’s funds we have finite resources and can’t do everything,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“This is where community-formed groups such as the Whyalla Tourism Focus Group become so important.
“This is a group of community-minded people going above and beyond to help our city and assist in the growth of our economy and liveability.
“As a Council we are always keen to assist these types of groups and help out where we can.”
PARTNERSHIP: UniSA student Jasmine Belford with Visitor Operations Coordinator and WTFG board member Teresa Coles.
Ms Derham said she was pleased to have another strong committee elected after a productive year in 2019 and was looking forward to again working with Council.
“The WTFG was a key organiser of a recent visit to Whyalla by migrants to Australia who may be able to help fill some skilled-job gaps in Whyalla,” Ms Derham said.
“We have helped drive many tourism events in the city that are bringing people into Whyalla to not only enjoy the occasion but also see what our city has to offer.
“Along with meeting with key tourism stakeholders like the Minister for Tourism David Ridgway, we have also brought many other key speakers to town to talk about opportunities for our city and bring new ideas that will help grow Whyalla and benefit our community.
"It was also pleasure to work with UniSA to bring student Jasmine Belford to Whyalla as part of an internship with the focus group where she prepared a report on Whyalla's potential for hosting conferences."
The WTFG was the first group to meet with Whyalla elected members and Council officials at Mayor McLaughlin’s new Community Group Engagement Meetings this week.
