As reported elsewhere in this edition of the Chronicle the news of the closure of Williams River Holiday Park at Clarence Town came as a shock to not only the Clarence Town community but the Dungog Shire Community. In essence, the Chamber has written to Dungog Shire Council on behalf of our member businesses seeing clarification on a number of matters. We are keen to hear from Council about the options being considered for the future of the Park given its importance for local businesses, and events held in Clarence Town each year. The Chamber is also keen work with Dungog Regional Tourism to ensure the $93,000 grant for the park, which was part of the overall $1.3million received to improve outdoor tourism can still be used for the park which is an important community asset.
Members and guests recently met at the Dungog Memorial RSL our meet the candidates evening. All candidates for the upcoming State Election attended presenting their policies and addressing our audience on matters that they considered important to the Dungog Shire. The evening was a success with candidates remaining for questions afterwards and some joining us for a meal at the RSL afterwards.
Congratulations to the organising Committee for Sculpture on the Farm who have received funding under the Destination NSW Incubator Event Fund. The Fund is a Destination NSW program that offers seed funding to events in Regional NSW to support their first and second years of activity. The event will be held over the October Long Weekend 2019. Unfortunately, the Dungog Tea Party, which will be held 20-25 August 2019, were unsuccessful in their application.
As I have said before, both these events, and almost all other events held across the Shire each year, are organised by volunteer committees and will do much to encourage spending in local businesses, bring visitors to the Shire and promote Dungog Shire to the wider community. This week the autumn event calendar across the Shire kicks off with the holding of the first major event, the Gresford Show on Friday, 8 March and Sunday, 9 March.
Our next dinner network meeting will be held at the Clarence Town Bowling Sport and Recreation Club on Thursday 21st March,, 2019. Our guest speaker will be Coralie Nichols General Manager of Dungog Shire Council. To book contact Colleen Duffy email dinner@ddcc.org.au or telephone 0400 603403.
