The Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association (BTA) is an officially registered local-community organisation working to improve the business environment in Winchelsea. It is officially affiliated to Surfcoast Tourism (and so in turn to Geelong Otway Tourism, Visit Victoria and ultimately Tourism Australia) but has a much wider role than just tourism.
The Winchelsea BTA acts on a wide range of issues ranging from litter, the environment, traffic and road safety, signage, and much more. It is also a sponsor of local events such as the annual Winchelsea Carols by Candlelight.
The BTA meets every month (see Meeting Minutes below), at 7:30pm in the Visitor Information Centre housed in the old Library building opposite the public toilets by the bluestone bridge. All are welcome! You can also submit any issues you'd like raised through this website - see the Winchelsea Website Contact Details.
2011 Winchelsea "Business Breakfast" - biggest yet, with about 70 attendees. Very positive feedback received for the event and the speakers (Trudi Toyne of Barwon Park, Mayor Dean Webster, and Max Broadley on community-building).
Business & Tourism Association AGM - to be held as part of the November meeting. Now is the time to join with us to help shape the future for Winchelsea. This year Graham Rowe retires from President after years in the role - while the duties are light, the position is important, if you or somebody you know could fulfil it please (get him/her to) come along. 9th November, 7:30pm, Information Centre in Winchelsea.
Winchelsea Men's Shed - official opening has been set for 10th December. Winchelsea Community Bank have provided another grant to assist in completing the project.
Winchelsea CFA "DivCom" - following redevelopment, Winchelsea's CFA shed is now a designated "DivCom" site. In the event of a major incident or disaster in the region, all emergency services will control & direct operations from Winchelsea. There are a number of DivCom sites around the state, but apparently Winchelsea's is now one of the best.
2011 Winchelsea "Business Breakfast" - all ready to go, 4 speakers this year including a new format "On The Couch" with Surf Coast Shire Mayor Dean Webster.
VicRoads and town-centre plans - VicRoads and Surf Coast Shire to be urged to integrate the various redevelopment plans (highway duplications, Hesse Street intersection, toilet-block move, new cross-Barwon highway bridge, Gosney Street traffic calming, shopping centre car-parking and access)
Business & Tourism Association AGM - current President Graham Rowe will be retiring from the post this year. Nominations for office-bearers are now open and very welcome, great opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of Winchelsea. President, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice President roles available.
2011 Winchelsea "Business Breakfast" - invites ready to be sent out, guest speaker list complete. All set for 22 September! Winchelsea businesses that haven't received invitations by 20 August should contact the Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association via
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Riverlee Art Gallery - relocated to Batson Street further to prior location being put up for sale
Winch House - 'Get Your Hop On' and a planting session for the disabled at the Community Garden were both very successful community events
Barwon Park 'Celebration 140' - coming up in October, a 'grand ball' to be held
Make A Wish Street Party - amazingly successful community effort and turnout, raising over $7,000. Winchelsea can be very proud
2011 Winchelsea "Business Breakfast" is underway - Thursday 22nd September 7:30-9:30am, including free cooked breakfast. If you are a business in the 3241 postcode and don't receive an invitation by 20th August, please contact Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association via
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to request one.
A number of projects are underway under the Community Building Initiativeumbrella, with Surf Coast Shire Coordinator Max Broadley ably assisting and guiding;
Heritage Village featuring antique machines
A part-time Centrelink office in Winchelsea, plus other government services/programs
Hinterland Art Trail
and more!
Hesse Hospital has again passed the exhaustive accreditation process for another 4 years, congratulations to all involved.
Make A Wish walk Portland-Melbourne will pass through 28th July, between 4pm and 7pm. A street party is planned including appearances by celebrity AFL players, sausage sizzle, and more.
Visitor Information Centre is resuming a program of famils after a year - new, existing and previous volunteers are invited to a 'Meet & Greet' session Wednesday July 20th, 10:30am at the Tea Rooms. Surf Coast's new(ish) Tourism Coordinator will attend to find out more about Winchelsea.
Guest speaker John Stevens outlined the Surf Coast Shire's project for an Economic Development Strategy. John went through the Surf Coast Economic Overview.
Little progress on the "RV Friendly Town" status for Winchelsea project - stalled with Surf Coast Council.
the Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association's representative to the Tourism Board has resigned, after moving to Winchelsea - the position is now vacant, and a replacement urgently being sought (including a notice in the Winchelsea Star).
the group of knitters raised over $700 for the Eastern Reserve selling their knitted products
a list of RV Friendly points is to be provided to Surf Coast Tourism, who would like to undertake a questionnaire to establish some supporting facts & figures
the Men's Shed has been constructed, meetings are well attended by men from Winchelsea plus surrounding areas
Brooke Lunny at Surf Coast Tourism is moving on, Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association wish her well having enjoyed a very productive relationship.
the Globe Theatre is enjoying a lot of use by several groups, and has benefitted from a program by joint committees of management of similar properties and the government to update and renovate - the Globe has new kitchen and toilet facilities and is schedule to be re-roofed. The Globe is a significant drawcard for Winchelsea.
the Winchelsea Festival committee expect $8,000-$9,000 profit from the 2010 festival, a great result considering the weather.
Barwon Park will be hosting an event by the Geelong Military Re-Enactment Group, all proceeds going to Barwon Park and St Thomas Church (celebrating 150 years and requiring a new roof), scheduled for 8/9 April. Barwon Park's recent renovation work has led to a big jump in visitor numbers, again a great drawcard to Winchelsea.
the Winchelsea Community Bank has donated $30,000 to make up the final total to the required $100,000 of community share in the $2.2m Winchelsea Integrated Neighbourhood Community Hub (WINCH).
the Surf Coast Shire has installed a permanent bin in front of the IGA supermarket, which is proving to be well-used.
bales of straw were provided to Barwon Park for the Parterre Garden
the project to make Winchelsea an "RV Friendly Town" seems to have stalled in the Council
the Men's Shed construction is awaiting the concrete slab
the Ladies Auxiliary are to open an Op Shop
the Winchelsea Festival is progressing well
Winchelsea's gardens and grounds are looking great, thanks to Rene
In brief - all office bearers re-elected, 1st birthday for Riverlee Art Studio, speed warning signage erected on Buckley Road by Surf Coast Shire, status of public bin in front of IGA to be queried with Surf Coast Shire, Winchelsea Festival a month away, 20 bales of straw to be provided to Barwon Park for their garden restorations.
Nominations now open for the 2010/2011 Officers for the Winchelsea & District Business & Tourism Association. See the 2009 AGM Minutes, and download an Officer Nomination Form. Nominations must be completed and returned to the BTA Secretary by Friday 1st October - email
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, fax 03 8610 0302, post to PO Box 43, Winchelsea 3241, or drop in to the Winchelsea Larder.
