KANAWINKA GEOPARK BOARD          

 

The Volcanoes Discovery Trail Committee (VDT) was formed in 1999 after the publication of the Tonge Report (Volcanic Region Tourism Development Strategy for Western Victoria and South Eastern South Australia) in October 1998. The committee is funded by yearly Grants from involved and supportive local government areas including Glenelg, Corangamite, Southern Grampians Shires in Victoria and Wattle Range Council, District Council of Grant and Mount Gambier City Council in South Australia.

 

In its short past the VDT has established a marketing name and logo, region nodes and touring routes, produced a VDT Map and Brochure, developed a Web site (www.volcanoesdiscovery.com) and implemented media promotion strategy. Along with this it has produced video footage of VDT sites; a Power Point presentation used to educate and promote VDT to the tourism industry.

 

The committee’s considerable achievements include: -

 

· Monthly meetings well attended every time.

· The latest reprint of the brochure is a total upgrade including image and text changes plus map revision – with a much-increased print run to meet demand.

· Web site established and registering hits To be redesigned this year inline with the Colours and layout of the new Brochure/map.

· PowerPoint presentation being used to promote the trail to the tourism industry including Vic Tourism and SATC.

· Networking with Great Ocean Road Committee and Great Southern Touring Route Committee (members’ active on both of these committees).

· Networking with Travel Link (Adelaide/Melbourne Touring Route).

· Production of video footage of significant sites throughout region to be used in the Volcanoes Discovery Centre at Penshurst in the Southern Grampians – a high tech interpretive centre promoting the volcanoes of the Southern Plains

· In progress - TV advertising campaign which will be featured on SA and Vic WIN stations

· Extensive advertising in Tourism Guides – Grampians Jigsaw, Limestone Coast, Great Ocean Road Jigsaw and Melbourne to Adelaide Touring

· Hosting a visit from Dr Sue Turner UNESCO Representative on Geoparks with an excellent media coverage and presentation of two well-attended Seminars one in Mount Gambier and one in Hamilton to highlight the Geopark phenomena.

· Applying for Global Geopark Status in December 2006

· Hosting the visit of UNESCO Inspectors for Global Geopark status in June 2007

· Re branding in September 2007 as Kanawinka Geopark Board

 

KANAWINKA GEOPARK

South Western Victoria and South Eastern South Australia