ENEWS

December 2012

The Board and Staff of Regional Development Australia Far North wish you a Merry Christmas and happy and prosperous New Year

In lieu of Christmas cards this year we have opted for this electronic greeting and have made

donations to the Target Wish Tree

Please note that the Regional Development Australia Far North office will be closed from 12:30pm on Friday 21 December 2012 and re-opening on Wednesday 2 January 2013

CONTENTS
(click headings to be directed to section) EVENTS FROM THE CEO SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES RDAF ROUNDS 3 & 4 ANNOUNCED SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES RECOGNISED TOURISM INDUSTRY REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND NATIONAL LANDSCAPES EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM INDULKANA GRADUATION CONTACT DETAILS

EVENTS
9 January 2013 - The Business of Running a Small Business - More information available at http://www.satic.com.au/index.php/events#the_business_of_running_a_small_business_port_augusta

FROM THE CEO

Welcome to the December Enews. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all stakeholders and clients for their support during 2012 and look forward to working with you all again in 2013 and wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Claire Wiseman CEO Return to top of page

SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES

RDAFN has been successful in securing funding through the Australian Governments Small Business Advisory Services program to continue Business Advisory services until the end of 2014. RDAFN was one of 62 successful grant recipients. For further information click here http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/programs/small-business/sbas/Pages/SBASGrantRecipients.aspx Return to top of page

RDAF ROUNDS 3 & 4

Expressions of Interest for the Regional Development Australia Fund Round 3 & 4 closed on 6 December 2012. As per the assessment process, all EOIs will now be assessed and scored by RDAFN Board Members to select the top priority projects. Further information on RDAF and the assessment process can be found at http://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/rdaf.aspx

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SUCCESSFUL TOURISM BUSINESSES RECOGNISED

The South Australian Tourism Industry Council held the SA Tourism Awards on 23 November 2012. RDAFN would like to congratulate the following Flinders Ranges and Outback Businesses on their success: Rawnsley Park Eco Villas Winner-Unique Accommodation, GoldEcotourism Flinders Ranges Water Cruises GoldEcotourism Augusta Westside Eco Apartments Silver-New Tourism Development Gulf Getaways GoldTour and/or Transport Operator Old Timers Mine SilverTourist Attractions The Arkaba Walk SilverEcotourism Air Wilpena Silver-Tour and/or Transport Operator Innamincka Hotel SilverHeritage & Cultural Tourism, BronzeTourism Restaurants & Catering Services

Full details of all award winners is available from http://www.satic.com.au/index.php/awards/winners#2012

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TOURISM INDUSTRY REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

RDAFN staff have been working with regional tourism businesses to inform them of opportunities and assist with applications for Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, Tourism Industry Regional Development Fund. The competitive merit-based TIRF Grants program offers grants from $50,000$250,000 (GST exclusive) on a matched dollar-for-dollar funding basis. A major focus of the program is to improve the quality of accommodation and attractions in regional areas. Funding is also available for innovative projects to attract interstate and international visitors and extend their length of stay. For more information go to http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/business/tirf/Pages/index.aspx
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NATIONAL LANDSCAPES EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Opportunities now exist for businesses who are looking to enter the tourism industry or for existing tourism operators to strengthen the experience they provide to seek assistance through the National Landscapes Experience Development Program. The Program is open to all Flinders Ranges businesses with assistance available in the following areas: Expert advice in value adding to tourism experiences Business planning and financial feasibility One-on-one mentoring / coaching for owners or staff Mystery shopper appraisals and feedback Enhanced access to SATC research and consumer testing of your ideas Back of house business improvement SATIC Tourism Accreditation and Award support Registrations close on Friday 21 December 2012 and more information is available from www.rdafn.com.au
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INDULKANA GRADUATION
Participants in the Indulkana Project, run by Exceptional Recruitment, recently graduated at a ceremony held in the Indulkana community. The six week program enabled participants to gain the necessary skills and to be job ready to enter the construction industry. Some of the participants have gained employed with a local building company who are working on the Housing SA Building Project, whilst others have been offered employment outside the community. The Housing SA Building Project will see five new houses built in Indulkana within the next six months.
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IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON SERVICES REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA FAR NORTH HAVE TO OFFER, PLEASE CONTACT MELITA OR SHARI AT RECEPTION ON 8641 1444 OR EMAIL RECEPTION@RDAFN.COM.AU
Dont forget to follow RDAFN on Twitter @RDAFarNorth

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUSTRALIA FAR NORTH

2a Stirling Road, Port Augusta SA 5700 PO Box 1762, Port Augusta SA 5700 T 08 8641 1444 I F 08 8642 6951 I E reception@rdafn.com.au I W www.rdafn.com.au