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.

Indigenous Protocol

The Sapphire Coast Cultural Heritage Working Group adopted the following protocol at its meeting on 16th April 2010
At all times, the Sapphire Coast Cultural Heritage Strategy seeks to be culturally inclusive, particularly in respect of the indigenous community. It is anticipated that some projects might be in partnerships and others culturally distinct. The participation of the Indigenous Community will be actively sought and , where the community wishes to develop its own projects, the Sapphire Coast Cultural Heritage Strategy will support those projects within the constraints of its capacity.