Deloraine named Community of the Year
Tasmania's Meander Valley Council and its
community have notched up many significant community achievements.
The latest of these being named Australian Community of the Year 1997
by the National Australia Day Council.
The Town of Deloraine and surrounding district, has made the most
of the area's natural assets bringing increased activity to the Town,
the district and the State. The list of achievements are wide ranging
and include the following.
- Three times winner of the State Tidy Towns Award.
- Preservation of colonial architecture dating from the early
1800s as art galleries, craft centres, museums and guest houses.
Council provides a Townscape Rate Incentive Scheme as an incentive
to local residents to improve and preserve their buildings.
- Establishing Rotary Park which won the National Heart
Foundation's Local Government Healthy Heart Award in the category
'Best Outdoor Recreational Facility'.
- In 1996, the district hosted the Northern Tasmanian Regional
Games, involving over 2,000 athletes in 20 different sports. This
event received the 1993 Australia Day Award for the Best Community
Event from the National Australia Day Council.
- In 1996, the community hosted the 16th Tasmanian Cottage
Industry Exhibition and Craft Fair featuring the work of over 200
local and interstate craftspeople and artists. This event, held
annually, attracts over 30,000 visitors to the district with over
half a million dollars being injected directly into the local
economy.
- The Deloraine Community arts project known as YARNS won the
1995 Tourism Development Award Category in the Tasmanian Local
Government Awards.
- Establishing the Meander Valley Enterprise Centre, a community
based organisation which provides sustainable employment
opportunities in the district. Here employers can seek free and
confidential business advice and training including tourism
workshops. It also conducts Farmsearch, an annual seminar on
future directions in agricultural issues.
- The Deloraine Recycling and Landfill site managed by Tasmanian
Trash Transformers has been cited as a model for rural waste
management in Australia and recently won a State Landcare Award.
- Establishing a satellite centre of Giant Steps Tasmania,
providing a therapeutic centre for autistic children.
All these activities have involved Council and the community
working together to improve the lives of those living in, working in
and visiting the district.
For further information contact David Pyke, telephone (03) 6393
5300.
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