Winning Waimarino progress

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 532, 19 April 1994, Page 4

Winning Waimarino progress

The 'Winning Waimarino' (Raetihi and Ohakune' s Mainstreet project) group heard from acting project coordinator Sue Allomes an outline of activities and achievements during the month of March at their last meeting. Winning W aimarino committee members heard that the following progress had been made: Promotion

□ A weekly press release had been compiled and provided to the media . □ 100 questionnaires asking 'what promotion do you want for your town' had been prepared and distributed to local businesses. (To date, 20 of these questionnaires had been completed and returned.) □ A 'Winning Waimarino' letterhead had been designed and printed by the Ruapehu Bulletin. □ Sponsorship negotiated with Ruapehu College, Powderzone and Ruapehu Bulletin to print and distribute 300 flyers outlining Easter weekend activities. □ Liaised with Television's NZ's 'Heartland New Zealand' production team (including Gary McCormick) prior to their recent filming in Ohakune and Raetihi for a forthcoming programme. □ A regular 5-minute 'Southern Chat' report through Peak FM had been broadcast each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Marketing and Special Events □ Organised Ohakune retailers Easter Special Mystery Envelope promotion which resulted in good Easter Saturday shopping locally. □ Liaised with Turoa Ski Resort's marketing manager, Joanna Savage, as well as with Ohakune and Raetihi retailers to prepare this year's Spring Festival draft programme. □ Assisted in the promotion of Easter Weekend's Axeman Carnival in Raetihi and the Easter Hunt in Ohakune. □ Initiated discussions with MTRO in Ohakune and TRAC in Taumarunui with a view to co-ordinating joint marketing efforts to promote rail and vintage train excursions to the central North Island. Administration and funding □ Finalised 'Winning Waimarino' T-shirt design and researched prices for producing sweat shirts and T-shirts using design by Penny McGill. □ Finalised job description for Mainstreet/Winning Waimarino co-ordinator/facilitator and provided details and application forms to NZ Employment Service and local sources. □ Submitted two resolutions to the Waimarino Community Board at their March meeting seeking funding for design and beautification projects in Ohakune and Raetihi. These were accepted in principle but not included in the current funding programme. Townscape design and heritage themes □ Initiated public meetings in Ohakune and Raetihi to seek community support and ideas for future development of townships including design themes (Ohakune' s were reported in the Bulletin issue of 12 April.) □ Liaised with King Country Energy ' s Bruce Thompson regarding floodlighting of bush areas in Ohakune (Jubilee Park and along the Mangateitei Stream behind the Ohakune Hotel.) Note: this was reported in the Bulletin as "green floodlighting" but the intention is to illuminate the bush with white light which would produce a green effect as it is reflected back from the foliage. □ Conducted research into an earlier (1971) commissioned plan which investigated the potential impact of development (skiing, pulp mill, etc) on the Waimarino community. Business Skills Training □ Designed three business-skills seminars entitled "How to make the best use of your marketing dollar". To date two of these seminars have been conducted (one in Ohakune and one in Raetihi) with the third planned for later this month. Though attendances have been small all those who participated felt the seminars were worthwhile. □ Conducted a personal survey of local businesses asking what they (local businesses) needed or wanted from Mainstreet/Winning Waimarino. Though this survey was informal the responses were generally positive.