ANZ and the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) have announced funding to support the development of new tourism products in regional towns across the Great Southern.

Celebrating its 15th year, the Seeds of Renewal Program funded by ANZ, administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and supported by Lenovo, aims to encourage initiatives that help to build vibrant and sustainable rural communities.

This year, 26 groups across Australia will share in more than $250,000 in funding.

The Great Southern Centre for Outdoor Recreation Excellence (GSCORE) has received a grant of $10,000 to support new tourism businesses across the region.

This project will develop and deliver a 12-week Mentoring Program for tourism businesses based in regional towns in the Great Southern. The aim of the project is to assist business owners to turn the kernel of a good idea into an extraordinary tourism experience.

GSCORE Executive Director, Dr Lenore Lyons, said the project will deliver workshops and training sessions that assist new and aspiring regional tour and activity businesses.

“This program aims to support business owners based in small regional communities such as Bremer Bay, Mount Barker, Denmark and Kojonup, who have limited access and opportunity to attend formal training programs,” she said.

“Most tourism training and development programs are run in larger centres such as Albany. Small business owners rarely have the time or resources to travel to attend these activities. We will use the ANZ Seeds of Renewal grant to deliver training in regional towns where business owners will benefit from it the most.”

Ms Sarah Lang, ANZ Bank’s Regional Executive for WA South said, “Regional prosperity relies on organisations driving initiatives to provide education opportunities to those in regional communities to benefit local businesses and drive key industries”.

“GSCORE’s project will assist local business owners in some of our smaller regional communities in the Great Southern to drive tourism in the often overlooked areas of WA that provide a unique tourism experience,” she said.

Media Contact:

Lenore Lyons, Executive Director
M: 0429 018 231
E: info@gscore.com.au

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