April 15, 2015
The Nananago Tourism and Development Association has launched a new website and Facebook page to help promote Nanango.
“Our organisation is committed to supporting and strengthening tourism and development in Nanango and the South Burnett,” NaTDA President Gloria Kirkness told the group’s monthly meeting at Nanango RSL on Thursday night.
“There are a number of fantastic businesses here, and we are always looking for ways to promote them and the area.
“We hope these new online tools will help us do that.”
The website and Facebook page aim to promote the town by featuring upcoming events, tourist attractions, businesses and the natural beauty of the area, along with local history and culture.
The initiative has been funded in part by a grant from the Bendigo Bank Nanango.
The new website can be found at http://www.natda.org.au and the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/nanangotourism.
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NaTDA want to erect directory boards at several locations in and around Nanango to assist visitors and promote local businesses.
Cr Barry Green told members that tourists who pulled off the highway into the Scott Car Park at the moment had no idea where they might find everyday facilities like the post office, library or public toilets, much less a local coffee shop, restaurant or bakery.
He thought a directory board which showed a map of the town and where particular businesses or facilities were located would be helpful and encourage more shopping in the town.
Other members agreed, suggesting that apart from the Scott Car Park there were several other locations where a directory might be useful, too.
These included Tipperary Flat, Drayton Street and Henry Street.
The group voted to investigate how directory boards might be funded and where they might be best placed.
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NaTDA are looking at a new logo for the group, and also investigating uniforms to help provide greater visibility for the organisation within the community.
At this month’s meeting, members considered several alternative logo designs developed by Danielle Turmaine, and also examined brochures for polo shirts which could be embroidered with the new logo.
Members routinely provide assistance at community events such as the recent Nanango Show, where they manned the gates for six hours to help the Nanango Show Society, and feel a uniform would help generate more community awareness about the group’s activities.
While final designs have yet to be selected, it was agreed any uniform should reflect Nanango’s traditional town colours – blue and white.
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The recent Nanango Show was very well attended and was a tribute to the Nanango Show Society committee and its hard-working volunteers.
NaTDA members heard that attendances at this year’s Show were up and the Show’s diverse program – which included the return of harness racing after a 14-year absence – was very well received.
The Show’s fireworks display, sponsored by Nanango’s Heritage Community Bank, also drew special praise.
The group passed on its congratulations to the Show Society, saying they look forward to seeing how they will top this year’s effort in 2016.
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A “Wall Of Fame” listing sporting achievers from Nanango and the South Burnett will be erected on the side of the Nanango Visitor Information Centre in Henry Street within the foreseeable future.
The project, which has been led by Cr Barry Green, will initially list around 100 names, but has the capacity to list 200 when it is fully populated.
Cr Green said the South Burnett had produced many leading state, national and international sports people over the last century, and it was fitting that they be honoured somewhere in the region.
He thought the Nanango Visitor Information Centre was the perfect place to do this.
It was near the junction of the D’Aguilar and Burnett Highways and right next to the Scott Car Park, which had parking spaces for caravans and RVs as well as cars.
The Centre would also be able to provide more information to interested visitors who wanted to know more about particular athletes listed on the honour board.
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NaTDA will provide eight volunteers for the launch of “Every Man Remembered – South Burnett Heroes” at Taras Hall on Friday, April 24.
The event will see the official launch of a database compiled by volunteers which contains records of South Burnett and Cherbourg residents who served in the armed forces in all of the conflicts the nation has been involved in.
The database contains more than 1000 names.
Sixty-two people have already confirmed their attendance at the opening night, which will run from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
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A recent Mayor’s Breakfast at Ringsfield House has helped forge connections between NaTDA and the ABC.
President Gloria Kirkness said she was approached by ABC Breakfast announcer David Iliffe at the well-attended event, who asked to be put on the group’s mailing list for Nanango news announcements.
She has since forwarded several releases she thought might be of interest to ABC Breakfast Show listeners, and NaTDA will continue to do this in future.
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Plans for Nanango’s New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras are progressing well, Cr Barry Green told NaTDA members, with two fireworks shows, several amusement rides and two bands already booked for the night, which will be held at the Nanango Show Grounds.
The New Year’s Eve Mardi Gras will also feature a Blue Light Disco for young children, so their parents can enjoy a break during the evening.
The Nanango Mardi Gras committee announced earlier this year they intended to relocate the traditional town festival from the October long weekend to New Year’s Eve to reflect changing community tastes.
The event will also fill a perceived “hole” in the region’s entertainment offerings on New Year’s Eve where, at present, most celebrations are held in licensed premises not well suited to families with young children.
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NaTDA hope to run a bus trip to Jimbour House on July 25 for a performance of “Opera At Jimbour”.
The trip would be open to both members and non-members, and run at cost.
Details are expected to be announced in the near future.
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Work on a permanent home for NaTDA in the old Nanango Railway Building at the Nanango Race Course is progressing steadily, members heard.
The Nanango Race Club and its President, John Lee, had been very supportive members were told.
And when renovations are complete, the group’s files and other materials will be permanently housed in the building’s middle room.
It is likely, however, the group will continue to hold most of its meetings at the Nanango RSL, especially in winter.
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NaTDA’s next meeting will be held at the Nanango RSL Club in Henry Street, Nanango at 5:30pm on Thursday, May 21.
The group usually meets at the same time and venue on the third Thursday of each month.
Its aims are to promote the development of Nanango and its districts, including tourism, and new members are always welcome.
Meetings are generally followed by an informal dinner at the RSL’s bistro.
More details? Phone President Gloria Kirkness on (07) 4163-2848 or email her.
