Coonamble Shire Tourism Newsletter Page 1

Text Box: With round three of the Australian Tourism Development Program (ATDP) approaching ‘AusIndustry’ will be holding a series of free seminars to show what the program offers and what it supports. The ATDP is a competitive grants program to support tourism product. Dubbo 4th April click here Moree 6th April click here Armidale 7th April click here For more information click here or if you have a project in mind contact the Tourism Development Manager on (02) 6827 1936 or email here

Text Box: There is certainly plenty happening around the shire this month and this edition is packed full of information. Be sure to check out the exciting developments with the Coonamble Rodeo & Campdraft as this year they are looking at attracting more visitors with a tent city, posters and brochures. There are also a number of events planned including the Moorambilla Festival in September. Alas, Port Pirie got the JJJ concert but we did make the final 40 towns. ADTP Round three funding is about to get underway and I would love to hear from anyone who is thinking of applying. There are still those who say to me that Coonamble Shire does not have a lot to offer visitors. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our two major market segments the ‘Wanderers’ and the ‘True Travellers’ both value real country experiences and hospitality that you would not find in the major cities. Two recent examples demonstrate just how welcoming we are.

Text Box: Earlier this month I received an email from the manager of the Lightning Ridge Visitors Centre. He explained that he had served an American couple that had just left Coonamble and they commented on the wonderful experience. They had initially gone into the bowling club as they had wanted to go ‘Ten Pin Bowling’ and instead met some locals who showed them around the area. Then, last Friday we had another tourist arrive via Gulargambone. Alistair Edmond left here in 1923 and now at age 96 he had made a return visit. The efforts by local residents over the weekend to make him feel welcome left his traveling companions in awe of the marvelous spirit of the town. This is what we have to offer !! So, if you would like to conserve the heritage of our town you may be eligible for the Local Heritage Fund. Contact the Economic Development office for more information. Until next month ! Steven Baldwin Tourism Development Manager Coonamble Shire Council

Text Box: Many people are unaware that we have a successful little international business out at Quambone. This year they are looking at options to expand into tourism by hosting workshops for interstate visitors. Honeysuckle Cottage started as a mail order business 12 years ago providing patchwork fabrics and supplies. They have customers all over Australia plus from overseas including Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, US, NZ, Spain, France, Chile to name a few !

Text Box: They get many visitors to the shop, some travelling up to 10 hours to get to Quambone. This year they are expanding into doing classes and weekend workshops . These are planned to be retreat style , giving the ladies a full weekend getaway, to relax, socialise and sew. Visit their web site at www.honeysucklecottage.com.au or email them by clicking here Next Month: Wilber Homestead

Text Box: 28 March 2006

Text Box: Tourism Update

Text Box: Special points of interest: Coonamble Shire Council meeting 12th April 2006 Did you know Council papers and minutes are listed on the web click here Is the Tourism Industry for me? Click here to find out Fancy a Wine & Cheese tourism experience in Lightning Ridge then click here Click here to visit the 2006 Year of the Outback web site Click here to view the January edition Click here to view the February edition

Rodeo Update	2
Quambone Workshop	2
Coming Events	3
Moorambilla Festival	3
Coonamble In the Past	4
Links	4
Industry News	4

Text Box: Artists traveled from across Central and Western NSW to attend the Waste to Art Regional Awards at St Pats Hall in Coonamble. The event launch was held on 10th March.

Text Box: Events Workshop in Bourke ! Do you want to gain further skills in planning and managing events in a workshop ? Click here for program

Gaye Canterbury & Carey Golledge at Honeysuckle Cottage in Quambone