SCT HERITAGE STRATEGY RELEASED

At the SCT Board meeting on 13th December 2010 the following resolution was passed:

The Sapphire Coast Tourism Cultural Heritage Working Group recommends that the Sapphire Coast Tourism Board receive the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism  Strategy 2011 – 2015 developed by EC3 with the Cultural Heritage Working Group.

The Working Group notes the challenge for the Sapphire Coast is to match the stories to the experiences in a way that keeps the visitor in the region longer. Key gaps in the existing suite of collateral, visitor information and experience delivery include:

•            Specific information linking stories, attractions, products and experiences; 

•            Consistent stories and information on where stories can be experienced in‐region

•            Itinerary based maps or guides for iconic heritage experiences;

•            Story‐tellers of Indigenous and European heritage and culture; and

•            Linking places and attractions together to create trails through interpretation.

A gap analysis has been completed for each of the ‘iconic stories’ and recommended strategies to further develop these stories in a way that will deliver world class experience for the visitor are provided.  

The consultants advised that the success of the strategy rests with local businesses and the community and their willingness to buy‐in to the stories and bring them to life. The working group also notes the importance of the Bega Valley Shire Council, The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services and the local Land Councils with the parks Boards of Management.

The need to continue to develop these on going relationships to buy into the stories and bring them to life. 

The document is available for public circulation and we encourage you to circulate it, discuss it, build on it and play with the ideas in it.

Any comments welcome.

STC Cultural Heritage Strategy

The Final SCT Cultural Heritage Strategy has been completed and is available to download along with a Year One Action Plan. Both are in PDF format. The documents will be considered by the Cultural Heritage Working Group and the SCT Board at their December 13, 2010 meetings.
These documents should be considered as working documents - to be considered as informing the basis for action and implementation by the Sapphire Coast Tourism Board, The Bega Valley Shire Council, National Parks, Local Land Councils, other government agencies and the local communities.

Strategy Extensions

The two draft extensions to the strategy are now available for comment. They are The Bundian Way and Naturally Inspired. 

The additional two stories are emerging, with the potential to attract the “Experience Seeker” – Naturally Inspired and the Bundian Way. While these two stories have significant potential for heritage tourism development further research and development is required before they are visitor ready.

The Bundian Way  is an ancient trading route and pathway that runs over 260km from the highest part of the continent, the Australian Alps, to the coast at Twofold Bay in Eden. Thought to be over 40,000 years old, the Bundian Way and the network of ancient pathways of the region are thought to predate the Silk Road, the Roman roads and other ancient trade routes. The Bundian Way has a remarkable shared history linking both natural and cultural heritage, Aboriginal values and European history. The network of pathways crossing Yuin, Ngarigo, Jaitmathang and Bidawal country connected the people and their ceremonies (Blay 2005) as well as Dreaming Tracks and trade routes across the continent (Kabaila 2005).
The Naturally Inspired story lives on as part of the culture and lifestyle of the region and is a real contributor to why people choose to move to the Sapphire Coast. The lifestyle of the region is enhanced by its art, culture and a connection to nature, which forms part of the social fabric of the Sapphire Coast and enhances the region’s identity as one still involved in the humble endeavours of primary industry. This creates the sense of an authentic community that would attract and engage the “Experience Seeker”.
We would love to hear your thoughts on these two extensions. 

Part One Released

The draft of part one of the strategy is available for download

Draft Part One SCT Cultural Heritage Strategy

These stories and the consultants recommendations will further develop the basis of the strategy. Comments on the report are due by July 16th and the implementation of the strategy will begin in August through the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism Working Group. All comments are welcome

On-Site Workshops

Thank you to all those who participated in the weekend workshops!

We heard some amazing stories of creation, geology, dreaming and a connection to nature (see below) that only added to the core themes of:

The Killers of Eden - Aboriginal Killer Whale partnerships, Ben Boyd, Davidson Whaling Station working with the Killer Whales, Old Tom and the Killer Whale Museum, the Whaling Walk, the story of Boydtown.

Meeting of the Waters - the closest point to the Continential shelf, the meeting of two ocean currents, geological wonders, the cruel sea and how she gives and takes, abundant fishing and marine life, the scientific signficance of the Sapphire Coast, where the rivers meet the sea, fishing stories and families.

In the Shadow of the Mountains - Aboriginal dreaming trails, geological links to Montague Island and the Continential Shelf, Fertile Soils (the Tilba Soils), Ancient Rivers of Gold, Explorers Entrepeneurs and Mysteries, Conservation and Protection.

Anyone who could not make it along is welcome to contact Kate Vallely on 07 3238 1911 to share their story. The team are now identifying the locations and stories that should be developed as a first priority. This will be compiled in a report due in late May.

Exploring the Key Stories

You are invited to explore the three heroic stories on Friday 30th April, Saturday 1st May and Sunday 2nd May in a 'progressive workshop' which will be held in a variety of location throughout the region.
The progressive workshop is designed to provide an opportunity for EC3 Global to meet with stakeholders  to discuss the development of the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism Strategy. Mark Olsen from EC3 Global will be meeting with stakeholders at each location to have an in-formal discussion regarding the project and the particular heritage stories and experiences at the individual site. The meetings will not be structured workshops but will provide an opportunity for stakeholders to have a face-to-face conversation with Mark and identify challenges and opportunities in the development of heritage tourism in the region. Discussions around the development and delivery of the identified heroic stories will be the focus of the meetings with stakeholders.
Every body is warmly invited to join us and take part in these conversations by coming to any of the following meeting points on the times and days outlined below
You are more than welcome to join Mark for the entire journey. Please  contact Kate Valley to register your interest in attending one of these meetings. Background PDF

Friday 30th April
12.00pm	Bermagui Pub
1.00pm	Blue Pool, Bermagui
2.30pm	Montreal Goldfields
4.00pm	Pam’s Store, Tilba

Saturday 1st May
9.00am	Mumbulla Creek Falls
11.00am	Tathra Wharf
1.00pm	Merimbula Wharf
2.30pm	Eden Killer Whale Museum
3.30pm	Rotary Lookout, Eden
4.30pm	Sapphire Coast Marine Discovery Centre

Sunday 2nd May
9.00am	Davidson Whaling Station
11.00am	Green Cape Lighthouse
1.30pm	Mt Imlay Picnic Area
Stakeh

KEY STORIES SELECTED

One of the key outcomes of the developing the Sapphire Coast Heritage Tourism Strategy is the identification and development of three ‘heroic stories’ for heritage tourism in the Sapphire Coast. Feedback and input from the Sapphire Coast Tourism Cultural Heritage Working Group and other regional stakeholders throughout the first two phases of the project have identified the following hero stories and other supporting regional stories for the Sapphire Coast. The selection of the three heroic stories was based on an assessment

of the heritage stories and experiences against an agreed set of selection criteria.

Heroic Stories

• Killers of Eden –Amazing tales of humans and killer whales working together; incorporating both Indigenous and European culture and folklore and linking directly to some of the region’s most popular tourism ventures.

• In the Shadow of the Mountains – the geological and ecological history of three mountains and the fertile Bega Valley, the mysteries of special natural places such as Gulaga, Mt Imlay and Biamanga and the connection of land

and culture.

• Meeting of the Waters – the geological processes (meeting of two ocean currents) that have created the abundance of sea life along the coast. This story links to science, research, and both Indigenous and European stories.

Regional Stories

• Naturally Inspired – tales of a creative energy stemming from nature; inspiring music, arts and culture; and events (e.g. Four Winds, Folk fest, etc) starting with the early poets.

• The Bundian Way – an ancient Indigenous trade route thought to be one of the oldest trade routes on the planet linking the coast to the mountains.

• The Tyranny of Distance – an unspoilt, protected and geographically secluded stretch of coastline home to great walks, ship wrecks, scenic drives (eg Tilba to Tathra) and a history of human courage (e.g. the sailors from Preservation Island and their journey to Port Jackson).

• Out of sight, Out of mind – how Eden was to become the Nation’s capital and illegal trade and activities flourished away from the colonies.

• Inspiring Endeavours – the history of trade and enterprise including indigenous trails (e.g. Bundian Way), the Matthew Munn story of Merimbula as a corn mill and enterprises such as Bega cheese.

• Against all Odds – the villages and communities of the gold fields, heroic tales of Indigenous and settler survival, and how nature continues to shape the landscape.