Circulation: 4498 with subscribers in 47 countries

Greetings and welcome to our May 2007 edition of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Newsletter. Since our February Newsletter, the organisation has been involved in a wide range of initiatives within our three core program areas namely:

  • healthy community development;
  • community and economic development; and
  • youth empowerment and participation.

We hope this newsletter gives you a flavour of our involvement, and some links to some wonderful stories, resources and tools that we have discovered and learned from.

Whatever our field of involvement we attempt to base our work on seven foundation beliefs, namely:
  • Meaningful and lasting community change always originates from within, and local residents in that community are the best experts on how to activate that change.
  • Building and nourishing relationships is at the core of building healthy and inclusive communities.
  • Communities have never been built by dwelling on their deficiencies. Focus on the resources, capacities, strengths and aspirations of a community and its residents, instead of dwelling on the needs, deficiencies and problems.
  • Every single person has capacities, abilities, gifts and ideas, and living a good life depends on whether those capacities can be used, abilities expressed, gifts given and ideas shared.
  • The strength of a community is directly proportional to the level that the diversity of its residents desire, and are able to contribute their abilities and assets to the well being of their community.
  • In every community something works. Change can be achieved best by identifying what works and focusing on doing more of what works.
  • Creating positive change begins simply with conversation.

If you prefer, you can click on the links below to go direct to that topic. 

Quote Future of Local Government Summit (12 – 13th June 2007)
Concept of Slow Communities Fable of Changing Course
Life in the Past Lane Rumbalara Football / Netball Club Inc
Return of Jim Diers The Center for Rural Entrepreneurship
Bookshop Childers: History at Work
Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program Fable – Two Wolves
Excellent Resource - Joining Forces with Young People – A Practical Guide to Collaboration for Youth Employment Rural Small Towns Web Package
Key Future Events Eleanor Cook
Youth Participation and Empowerment – Getting beyond the Rhetoric and Slogans: International Symposium Social Enterprise
Somalia – Biggest Challenge for Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Communities in Control Conference 2007
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa New Asset-Based Community Development Resource
Great Resource – The Art of City Making Communities Inspired
‘Getting the Tills Ringing in Rural Communities’ - Presentation Seminar r.u.MAD? Are You Making a Difference?
Youth Initiative - 6th Asia Pacific Cities Summit Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program
New Photo Gallery – Interesting Public Art Lyndsey Jackson
Indigenous Australian Economic Studies Inspiring Businesses – Not Just About the Bottom Line, but Making a Social Difference
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Youth / Community Empowerment Fund Paronella Park
RAL Homes, Ararat, Victoria Contact Details
Young Endeavour  

Click here to subscribe to our mailing list, or to stop receiving this newsletter.
Quote Top ^

‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more and become more, you are a leader’.

John Quincey Adams

Concept of Slow Communities Top ^
One of the most exciting community publications now in print is the book ‘Slow is Beautiful – New Visions of Community leisure and joie de vivre’ by Cecile Andrews (New Society Publishers). This book analyzes the subtle consumer, political and corporate forces stamping the joy out of our existence and provides a vision of a more fulfilling life through the rediscovery of caring communities, unhurried leisure and life offering joie de vivre. It particularly highlights the importance of a ‘culture of connection’.

John de Graaf captured the book well – ‘With great personal stories, the courage of her convictions, uncommon insight and disarming wit, she challenges our ‘more and faster is better’ society and shows how we can live better with less speed and less stuff. If this book weren’t so clear and straight forward honest, it would be subversive, in the best sense of that word. The ideas it contains surely are. You’ll be hard pressed to put it down once you start reading. But don’t just read it; DO it!’

Click here to visit the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. on-line bookshop.

Life in the Past Lane Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. holds the contribution of David Wilson of Heritage International in the highest regard in terms of his ability to present and workshop on the theme – ‘Life in the Past lane’.

Click here to download a program outline of his popular one day workshop.

For further details contact David at heritage.futures@xtra.co.nz.

Return of Jim Diers Top ^
Those of who had the privilege and pleasure of hearing Jim when he visited Australia last November / December are most excited by his return in July / August.

Jim is the former Director of the Department of Neighborhoods in Seattle, USA. This Department is legendary in local government circles for its innovative approaches to community and economic development. Jim provided the leadership for these initiatives.

Jim will be in the following locations on these dates:

  • 23 – 25 July Victoria
  • 26 – 29 July Perth
  • 1 – 3 August Sydney
  • 4 – 10 Aug New Zealand

If any organisation would be interested in utilising Jim’s time, please contact Peter Kenyon at pk@bankofideas.com.au, click here to download possible Workshop themes and click here to download Jim’s Bio data.
Bookshop Top ^
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has a series of Asset-Based Community Development publications available for purchase through our on-line bookshop:
  • Building Communities from the Inside Out (Kretzmann / McKnight)
  • Asset-Based Community Development for Faith Communities (Rans & Altman)
  • Organization of Hope (Snow).

Click here to visit our on-line bookshop.

         

Business Expansion and Retention (BEAR) Program Top ^
The B.E.A.R. Program is an enhanced version of the BR & E Program that the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. first introduced to Australia in 1996, South Africa in 2003 and New Zealand in 2006. Responding to a request from a number of rural Shires in Victoria, an updated and more comprehensive program has been developed, with new resource materials. The rural City of Benalla was the first community to implement the new version, while a two day BEAR workshop will be conducted in Durban, South Africa in mid May.

The 2007 Annual Business Retention + Expansion International Conference is being held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada on 4th- 8th June 2007. Peter Kenyon will be a keynote speaker at the Conference.

Click here for more information and to register.

Excellent Resource - Joining Forces with Young People – A Practical Guide to Collaboration for Youth Employment Top ^
This excellent Report has been provided by the international group – Youth Employment Network to guide youth organisations to facilitate and motivate young people’s participation in youth employment policy making and implementation.

Click here to download a copy.

Key Future Events Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has decided to be part of a number of strategic issues workshops / conferences over the next 12 months. Each of these events will occur in cooperation with other organisations / agencies that share the vision and value of the bank of I.D.E.A.S.

Youth Participation and Empowerment – Getting beyond the Rhetoric and Slogans Symposium

Date: 30th October – 3rd November, 2007

Location: Goa, India

Partner: International Council of National Youth Policy (see section below for more details)

Building Social Capital in the Suburbs and Towns Conference

Date: 12th – 13th November, 2007

Location: Central Coast, NSW

Partners: Benevolent Society and Central Coast Community and Congress

Planning For and By the People – 2nd National Conference in Community Engagement in the Community Planning Process

Date: 19th – 20th November, 2007

Location: Melbourne

Partner: Municipal Association of Victoria

Island Communities Conference

Date: April, 2008

Location: Chatham Islands

Partner: Chatham Islands Enterprise Trust
Youth Participation and Empowerment – Getting beyond the Rhetoric and Slogans: International Symposium Top ^
This exciting international event is being coordinated by Bank of I.D.E.A.S. on behalf of the the International Council on National Youth Policy (ICNYP) in Goa, India from 30th October to 3rd November 2007.

This event is targeting 75% young men and women (those under 30) and 25% youth policy and program development people. It’s encouraging to see the number of organisations willing to sponsor a young person to attend. Cost is very reasonable – in most cases in will be less than USD$2000 including air travel.

Anyone interested in attending and/or sponsoring a young participant contact Peter Kenyon at Bank of I.D.E.A.S. at pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Click here for more details.

Somalia – Biggest Challenge for Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Top ^
On behalf of the International Council of National Youth Policy (ICNYP), Peter Kenyon from the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will manage over the next 18 months the formulation of National Youth Policies for the three countries that currently comprise Somalia. Given the history and instability of this country, this will certainly be the biggest challenge ever for Bank of I.D.E.A.S.. Peter will be joined in this exercise by, his great friend and co-worker in previous Middle-East national youth policy formulation projects, Kamel Nabulski. Bank of I.D.E.A.S. considers Kamel one of the best youth facilitators on the face of the globe.
Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa Top ^
This New Zealand document is simply about how government and society can support their young people. It is one of the best national youth policy documents in existence.

In particular, it identifies six principles of youth development, which provide a very useful checklist and a tool for developing youth policies and programs (at any level) in working alongside young people:

  1. Youth Development Is Shaped By the ‘Big Picture’ By the ‘big picture’ we mean:

the values and belief systems; the social, cultural, economic contexts and trends; the Treaty of Waitangi and international obligations such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

  1. Youth Development Is About Young People Being Connected

Healthy development depends on young people having positive connections with others in society. This includes their family and whănau, their community, their school, training institution or workplace and their peers.

  1. Youth Development Is Based On A Consistent Strengths-Based Approach

There are risk factors that can affect the healthy development of young people and there are also factors that are protective. ‘Strengths-based’ policies and programmes will build on young people’s capacity to resist risk factors and enhance the protective factors in their lives.

  1. Youth Development Happens Through Quality Relationships

    It is important that everyone is supported and equipped to have successful, quality relationships with young people.

  1. Youth Development Is Triggered When Young People Fully Participate

    Young people need to be given opportunities to have greater control over what happens to them, through seeking their advice, participation and engagement.

     

  2. Youth Development Needs Good Information

Effective research, evaluation, and information gathering and sharing is crucial..

Together, these six principles can help young people to gain a:

  • sense of contributing something of value to societyfeeling of connectedness to others and to society
  • belief that they have choices about their future
  • feeling of being positive and comfortable with their own identity.

Click here to download a copy of the strategy from the New Zealand Ministry of Youth Development website.

Great Resource – The Art of City Making Top ^
Charles Landry, the international expert in building interesting, creative cities recently visited Perth, and shook the establishment with his views on engendering vision and life into the city. He has just published a fabulous publication – the Art of City Making. He sees city making not as a formula, but as an art. He provides an excellent set of principles.

Click here to go to his website where you can download a sample chapter, order the book or learn more.

‘Getting the Tills Ringing in Rural Communities’ - Presentation Seminar Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has had the privilege and unique learning experience of being commissioned to write three publications focusing on innovative enterprises and entrepreneurs:
  • ‘Good Enough Never Is: lessons from inspirational businesses in rural Australia’
  • ‘Building the Future Through Enterprise – Stories of Successful Indigenous Enterprises and Entrepreneurs’
  • ‘Exploring the Future Through Enterprise - Indigenous Organisations Embarking on the Enterprise Journey’.

The lessons learnt from undertaking over 60 intensive case studies from rural Australia, has enabled Peter Kenyon to put together a practical, entertaining and inspiring presentation and seminar called ‘Getting the Tills Ringing in Rural Communities’.

During the last month, this presentation has been given to 12 communities in the Victorian Shires of Ararat, Benalla, Buloke and Northern Grampians.

For more details, see ‘Getting the Tills Ringing’ talk in ‘Resources’ section of website or contact Peter at pk@bankofideas.com.au.

Click here to download a recent marketing brochure from Benalla, Victoria. Thanks to Jeanie Hall their passionate and committed Economic Development Officer.

Youth Initiative - 6th Asia Pacific Cities Summit Top ^
This is an amazing opportunity awaiting 100 16 – 25 year olds!

From Friday 31 August - Monday 3 September 2007 Brisbane City Council will host the 6th Asia Pacific Cities Summit, the region's premier government and business forum.

With global warming, increased population and water shortages our cities are facing some pretty big challenges. How will we ensure that Cities are still great places to live in the future?

The 2007 summit theme is 'Renewing Asia Pacific Cities', and the summit will look at the issues of:

  • sustainability
  • livability
  • economic development
  • leadership and governance

Brisbane City Council wants to make sure young people are represented at this event. For the first time ever, the Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) registration fee will be fully subsidised for 100 young emerging leaders, who will be selected through an application process.

Click here to visit the Visible Ink website and follow the links to the Asia Pacific Cities Summit and support young people to attend.

Applications Close Monday, 28 May 2007.

This information comes from the wonderful youth resource YouthGas, click here to subscribe to this electronic Newsgroup.

New Photo Gallery – Interesting Public Art Top ^
A recent addition to the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. website has been the inclusion of a series of photographic collections capturing best practice from across the globe.

Click here to view our latest addition - ‘Interesting Public Art’.

Indigenous Australian Economic Studies Top ^
As Australia approaches the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum confirming citizenship on Australia’s Indigenous people, it is time to reflect soberly about the failure of the country to achieve positive social, health and economic outcomes for Indigenous Australians. Below are a set of education, employment and economic statistics about the current reality:
  • Household income for Indigenous population is 62% of the income level of non indigenous Australians.
     
  • Indigenous unemployment is 15.4% (excl. CDEP) compared to 4.6% National unemployment rate.
     
  • Indigenous Australians have a work participation rate of 54% compared to 74% of non Indigenous Australians.
     
  • 70 – 80% of the 83 000 Indigenous Australians registered with Job Network (83,000) are classified as ‘highly disadvantaged’.
     
  • Non Indigenous teenagers aged 15 – 19 are three times more likely to be in full time work or education than Indigenous teenagers.
     
  • 46% of Indigenous 15 – 19 year olds attend an educational institution compared to 73% of non Indigenous 15 – 19 year olds.
     
  • 40% of Indigenous population is under 15 years of age compared to 20% for non Indigenous Australians.
     
  • 32% of Indigenous Australians own or are buying their own home compared to 60% of non Indigenous Australians.
     
  • 63% of Indigenous Australians households rent accommodation compared to only 27% of non indigenous households.
     
  • Indigenous people are three times less likely then non Indigenous people to be self employed.
     
  • In the 2001 census, 27.6% of students were not enrolled in the Northern Territory, 19% in Western Australia, 16.2% in Queensland and 14% in South Australia.
     
  • The national retention rate to Year 10 for Indigenous students is 88.3% compared to 98.3% for all students. Indigenous retention from Year 10 to Year 12 is 45.3% compared to 76.5% for all students.
     
  • Indigenous Australians aged 15 years and over who had left school were half as likely (18%) as non Indigenous Australians (41%) to have completed Year 12.
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Youth / Community Empowerment Fund Top ^
The Bank of I.D.E.A.S. is committed to the practical application of being a socially and community responsible citizen. Thus the organisation is committed to returning 10% of profits to community projects through its Youth / Community Empowerment Fund. Priorities for 2006–08 relate to initiatives that build community through the leadership of young people. Current projects being supported include:
  • establishment of Lead On Kalamunda
  • establishment of r u MAD? In Western Australia
  • development of the Impact Children and Youth Library in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • development for the International Council for National Youth Policy (ICNYP)
  • coordination of an International Symposium entitled ‘Youth Participation and Empowerment – Getting Beyond the Rhetoric and Slogans’.
RAL Homes, Ararat, Victoria Top ^
There is no shortage of innovative businesses operating in rural Australia. While presenting the ‘Getting the Tills Ringing in Rural Australia’ seminar in Ararat, Peter Kenyon had the privilege of being introduced to Reiny Loeliger, Managing Director of RAL Homes. What a character, and what a business!

Reiny has designed an amazing ‘building system’ involving modules consisting of eight engineered parts forming an arch which are then likened to create an individually designed, cost effective and energy efficient home.

Reiny and his team are now experiencing his creation through Australia and into the Pacific.

Click here to check out this amazing website and see how this amazing creation and how easy it is to create your own cost effective and energy efficient home. If in the Ararat region, call in and see their display homes.

Young Endeavour Top ^
Young Australians aged 16 - 23 can apply to get on board the tall ship Young Endeavour as part of its sail training program in 2007. Participants do not require any sailing experience.

Over the course of a voyage, 24 youth crew learn all aspects of sailing a 44-metre, square-rigged tall ship on the open sea including climbing the 30m mast, setting sails, navigating, keeping watch and taking the helm. A voyage on the Young Endeavour develops skills in teamwork, communication, leadership and motivation. Youth crew also have the chance to explore outstanding wilderness regions and remote coastlines of Australia.

Click here to visit the Young Endeavour website for more information.

Future of Local Government Summit (12 – 13th June 2007) Top ^
This century is one of the most important local government events held each year in Australia. This will be the third such event, and will build upon the previous summits by focusing on the development of a Roadmap to achieve the vision for local government – ‘local government is valued by all Australians for building strong and successful communities’ and the implementation of three frameworks:
  • a sector accountability framework that identifies a model for local councils accountability to their communities
  • a sector performance framework that identifies the efficiency and effectiveness of the sector
  • a co-operation framework that facilitates joint projects such as shared services and regional cooperation.

Click here to download more information from the Municipal Association of Victoria website or email John Hennessey (Convener) – jhennessy@mav.asn.auu.

Copies of presentations from two previous summits are also downloadable from the MAV website.

Fable of Changing Course Top ^
Many thanks to Laura Girty from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma USA for the contribution of the following story.

The captain of a ship received a message one night, "Change your direction 15 degrees North to avoid collision”.

A little indignant, the captain replied, “I am the captain of a large ship and recommend you divert 15 degrees South”.

The captain received the reply, “We are a lighthouse”.

No matter who you are, life will require flexibility. Be ready to make an adjustment.

Click here to read more Inspirational Fables. 

Rumbalara Football / Netball Club Inc Top ^
Rumbalara Football / Netball Club is not only a great Indigenous Australian success story, but one that the best that rural Australia can take inspiration from. On 10th April, they celebrated a remarkable ten year period that has seen this Shepparton, Victoria based sporting club achieve:
  • sporting and organisational success as a major player in the Country Football League
  • national prominence in health promotion initiatives (e.g. the Academy of Sport and Health Education)
  • significant youth leadership outcomes.

Check out their incredible story ‘Rumba on the Rise – the story of the Rumbalara Football and Netball Club’ by ringing 03 5831 3124.

Congratulations to the Club and the exceptional leadership shown by Paul Briggs OAM.

The Center for Rural Entrepreneurship Top ^
This US based centre has been a source of inspiration to the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. It was established to be the focal point for efforts to stimulate and support private and public entrepreneurship development in communities throughout rural America. The Centre through its research and facility shared learning works to encourage entrepreneurship development as an effective route to building prosperous, dynamic and sustainable rural economies.

Two of there resources that are well worth reading are:

  • Energizing Youth Entrepreneurs in Rural Communities
  • Innovative Approaches to Entrepreneurial Development
  • ‘E2 Energizing Enterprises – charting a course for rural communities’ written by the Centre in cooperation with the Heartland Center for Leadership Development.

Click here to visit the Center’s website.

To regularly receive their excellent electronic newsletter (Rural Entrepreneurship News) email taina@e2mail.org.
Childers: History at Work Top ^
Readers will remember Childers was the Queensland town that experienced the horrific back packer fire on 23rd June, 2000 when 15 young back packers lost their lives. The way the community rallied to this tragedy, and its pain, and have reincarnated their lives as a community and business centre is a remarkable story. Last week, Peter Kenyon joined the CEO of the local council (Isis Council), Steve Johnston at the Local Government Managers Australia Conference in Hobart to share their story of response and transformation – a story about leadership, change management, strategic planning and an understanding of a sense of place.

Click here to download Steve’s Paper ‘Childers: Heritage at Work’.

Fable – Two Wolves Top ^
Many thanks to our good friend Gerry Osborne from Ainsworth, Nebraska USA for contributing the following story.

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all.

One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Click here to read more Inspirational Fables. 

Rural Small Towns Web Package Top ^
Kate Schwager, a subscriber from Wee Waa NSW and President of her local Chamber of Commerce, is the developer of the Rural Small Towns Web Package. Her idea to help communities and local businesses advertise on the internet won her the Rural Industries Research and Development Rural Women of the Year for 2006 for NSW.

Click here to download a brochure for the Rural Small Towns Web Package.

Eleanor Cook Top ^
Congratulations Eleanor on being the 2007 RIRDC NSW Rural Women's Award Winner, acknowledging your incredible leadership efforts over the last decade in the small NSW town of Coolah. Coolah is one of those inspirational small towns and Eleanor one of our great rural heroes.

Click here to view a related web article about Eleanor and her achievement.

Social Enterprise Top ^
Thanks to Michael Jones, Director of Social Alchemy for revisiting our awareness and interest in social enterprise.

Matthew reminds us that social enterprise has two key characteristics:

  • does not measure success on profit alone, unlike traditional business
  • operates in pursuit of a social purpose

Matthew, following his Churchill Scholarship tour of USA and UK, has produced a very useful report – ‘To Examine Successful Models of Social Enterprise that Can Be Promoted within Australia’.

Contact Matthew on matt.jones@fusemail.com if interested.

Matthew has introduced us to a range of exciting examples, two he would recommend examining to see the power of community enterprise are:

  • the Coinstreet Community Builders in London. Click here to visit their website.
  • the Delancey Street Foundation in San Francisco. Click here to visit their website.
Communities in Control Conference 2007 Top ^
This amazing annual community event is being held 4 – 5 June 2007 in Melbourne. This year’s theme is ‘From Advocacy to Policy – Communities Driving Change’. Organised by Our Community and Centacare Catholic Family Services, over 1500 participants are expected to attend.

Click here to visit the Conference website.

New Asset-Based Community Development Resource Top ^
Developed in response to the question “I love ABCD (Asset Based Community Development); what do I do Monday Morning?” and based on Mike Green & Henry Moore’s highly regarded work as ABCD organizers, consultants and trainers. These materials support a practical approach to creating community collaborations that work.

Many people will remember Mike Green who has been a regular visitor to Australia.

Click here to purchase your copy on-line.

Communities Inspired Top ^
Recently, through the efforts of Maya Linnell of Stawell (Vic) and Clyde Humphries of Ararat (Vic) Peter Kenyon did a series of presentations as part of the theme ‘Diversity Beats Adversity’.

Click here to download an article about this interesting exercise.

r.u.MAD? Are You Making a Difference? Top ^
Bank of I.D.E.A.S. has been a long advocate of this invaluable youth empowerment tool developed by the Education Foundation. r.u.MAD? provides a framework and process by which young people, drawing on their values and interests, design and implement community projects that ‘make a difference’. Bank of I.D.E.A.S. will support the Education Foundation to create a support service for this program in Western Australia, from June 2007.

Click here for more information about the r.u.MAD? program.

Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program Top ^
Peter Kenyon will be the keynote speaker at this interesting regional leadership initiative in Beechworth, Victoria in late May 2007. The Alpine Valleys Community Leadership Program is now in its 7th year of operation and by June 2007 there will be 147 graduates from the program.

Click here to download a summary.

Lyndsey Jackson Top ^
Congratulations to Lyndsey Jackson, former Youth Development worker with the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. on the birth of her first child Isabelle. Mother and daughter are doing incredibly well.

Lyndsey has returned to her home town of Moonta in South Australia and is looking forward to continuing her involvement in youth development initiatives along side motherhood. Lyndsey’s email is jackson.lyndsey@gmail.com.

Inspiring Businesses – Not Just About the Bottom Line, but Making a Social Difference Top ^
Two great stories came to our attention lately, both illustrating impact goes beyond the dollar figure:
  • Natural Instinct – an organic based hair, body and skin care business launched in 2003 by Mark Neuecearal, a school dropout. This year, the company will record a $15 million turnover, and see its products in 2000 outlets across the country. Mark wanted to create something ‘both awesome and affordable’ and nothing costing more than $23. He spent three years of local and international research on plants, vegetable oils and certified organic herbs prior to launching Natural Instinct. Natural Instinct also returns back to the community – it sponsors 35 homeless Indian children and donates 1% of turnover to orphanages.

Click here for more information on the company and its philosophy see.

  • Lentil as Anything – a set of incredible restaurants that operate as a cooperative and youth training enterprise. Established by Shanaka Fernando, Australia’s Local Hero recipient in this years ’Australian of the Year’. This not for profit business celebrates compassion, individuality that challenges and defies our consumerist society, for example, it has a policy of ‘no set prices’ where customers pay only what they can afford or what they feel the meal is worth!

Click here for more information.

Paronella Park Top ^
The efforts of Mark and Judy Evans at Paronella Park, Mena Creek, North Queensland is a favourite story of the Bank of I.D.E.A.S. Below is a part of a recent letter from Mark Evans, comments on the redevelopment of their award winning tourist venture following the horrific cyclone Larry twelve months ago.

Just to let you know the recovery from Cyclone Larry is going along beautifully. An event like a cyclone causes all instincts to click in together, particularly survival.

Prior to the Cyclone we were of the opinion that we had the best of the best - a customer experience better than any other!

Since the cyclone we have implemented so much, not just to survive, but also to improve the customer experience:

  • A 2 year pass-out issued with every ticket. A multi entry pass. Most users bring back visitors.
  • Changed the 8:15 night tour to 6:15 (darkness falls tour). Thus enabling many more to do the tour prior to their trips back to Cairns (106kms)
  • The old 1930’s toilets were destroyed by the cyclone. We now have new Eco friendly toilet facilities that have had a major impact on all visitors but most of all the Japanese.
  • Free caravan park site with all full paying visitors. This has caused us to have a major increase in occupancy in the van park, but most of all these visitors can experience the total visitor experience.
  • Paronella Park Day Tour
  • Indigenous Bush tucker Tour
  • Indigenous Performance
  • Darkness Falls Evening Tour
  • Botanical Walk

This enhanced visitor experience has allowed us to add another $2.00 to the admission price while the number of visitors has now grown beyond the 2005 figures.

Our Japanese market has grown dramatically through a proactive approach.

Since the cyclone we have:

  • Employed 2 Japanese Staff, soon to be 3
  • Developed a Japanese website
  • Produced a Japanese language brochure

2005 saw 30,000 Japanese visitors, we will see this number grow to over 50,000.

The 6 weeks of closure due to the cyclone was excellent thinking time. Our number one action this year will be to have the hydro electric generator built by Jose Paronella in 1933 operational by the end of this year- total cost $150,000. We will be documenting this with a High Definition camera allowing us to give the documentary to various TV programs around the world.

The Dream Continues at Paronella Park . . . regards Mark

For those of you who don’t the amazing story of Paronella, click here to download the story from Bank of I.D.E.A.S.’s Good Enough Never Is. Make sure the next time you are in North Queensland, you visit Paronella Park. It is truly one of the amazing rural businesses of Australia. Click here to visit the Paronella Park website.

Top ^

Click here to subscribe to our mailing list, or to stop receiving this newsletter.

Bank of I.D.E.A.S.

(Initiatives for the Development of Enterprising Actions & Strategies)

 14 Bird Rd, Kalamunda WA 6076

  Ph: 08 6293 1848 Fax: 08 6293 1137 E: pp@bankofideas.com.au