A Message from the current AAInc committee: A town without a representative organisation like Advance Avoca Inc loses its voice in the many decision making processes that affect the town, is that what we want for Avoca ?
IF NOT, we look forward to seeing the new direction that a revitalised Advance Avoca Inc - Business & Community Association can take and encourage anyone who is passionate and invested in our town to put their hand up to get involved.
The current Advance Avoca Inc committee members are stepping away at the next AGM leaving all positions to be filled including President, Secretary, Vice President, Treasurer and at least 4 committee members. We are looking for new faces who have a passion for business and our community. Advance Avoca Inc offers a forum that allows local businesses to network, share, support and learn from one another while also supporting community based projects that improve the liveability of our town into the future.
AGM details are:
Date Monday 11th September 2023
Time 7pm
Venue Avoca Golf Club
As we welcome an entire new committee to Advance Avoca Inc , we reflect on some of our accomplishments over many years, initially as the Avoca Chamber of Commerce, then Avoca Business & Tourism and now Advance Avoca Inc. Some of our highlights have included:
· Hosting 12 whole town Big Garage Sales that encourages visitation to town
· Hosted annual Christmas Street parties and installed Christmas decorations
· Joined Shire representatives to attend the Ballarat Lifestyle Expo to promote our region’s upcoming events and festivals, while also promoting our region’s liveability and business opportunities.
· Implemented and managed Avoca Riverside Market for many years
· Maintained and refreshed the www.avoca.vic.au website
· Lobbied for Natural Gas and improvements to water supply via Desal Plant infrastructure
· Worked with Avoca Community Arts & Gardens Inc to secure funding for the redevelopment of the Avoca Railway Station building & precinct.
· Conducted an Imagine Avoca 2020 campaign with the community to gather ideas for future planning, worked with consultants (employed by PSC) to develop strategic plans for Arts & Gardens precinct, and continued to facilitate the collection of priorities for the Community Action Plan.
· Secured funding for solar lighting in Cambridge St Walkway
· Worked with Avoca Community Arts & Gardens Inc and also the Avoca RSL Sub Branch to secure funding for the storyboard project /Avenue of Honour and repairs to the Cenotaph
· Helped PSC facilitate the community session to discuss plans for a) new PLAYSPACE in High St and b) the replacement of Shelter in High St c) attended Pyrenees Futures session in December
· Published Avoca Angle community newsletter and managed the Community Website and Facebook page.
· Auspiced the grant application by the Avoca District Co-operative for the Playspace in High St and the replacement of Shelter in High St
· Worked with Pyrenees Shire Council to have event signs installed to promote what’s on
· Had representatives on the PSC Activate Avoca Reference Group re the Streetscape plans
· Facilitated the development of the Avoca Community Action Plan
· And recently obtained funding from the Avoca Community Bank Community Grants Program to update the Avoca website and develop a video that highlights the many community groups in Avoca and Host the volunteer Big Thankyou Expo
The role of Advance Avoca Inc in the past has been to build a sustainable future for our town by protecting and promoting the interest of our members and the community, and provide access to industry specific information.
Benefits of being part of Advance Avoca Inc include:
· being part of a group that can influence all levels of government decisions
· helping you to stay abreast of the latest industry news, trends and developments
· providing access to membership directories that can increase your business exposure to new markets and potential clients
A town without a representative organisation like Advance Avoca Inc loses its voice in the many decision making processes that affect the town, is that what we want for Avoca ?
IF NOT, we look forward to seeing the new direction that a revitalised Advance Avoca Inc - Business & Community Association can take and encourage anyone who is passionate and invested in our town to put their hand up to get involved.
The Advance Avoca Inc Committee