Milestone for Eidsvold bush learning centre

THE RM Williams Australian Bush Learning Centre celebrated its second birthday recently by reviewing its achievements and looking to the future.

The Eidsvold centre has also focused on expanding the indigenous partnership with the Regional Arts Development Fund funded project, Oral Stories of Aboriginal Stockmen. This project is continuing interview sessions with stockmen, which are being recorded and are now partially edited and compiled.

The project is scheduled to be completed by December 2012.

Mayor Don Waugh said the new signage for the centre had been approved and is in the final stages of the process to construction.

The Friends of RM Williams not for profit group which supports the centre's activities has also become incorporated and is driving fundraising and event management in partnership with centre staff.

The partnership has the potential to provide innovative opportunities for the centre, the community and the region.

Cr Waugh said he was excited about the potential of the centre which is becoming clearer as public access enters its second year.

"The landscape of the tourism, retail, and training sectors is rapidly evolving as a result of global market and economic stimulus as well as the state and local government environment," he said.

"The situation that exists is significantly different to the outlook when the venture was proposed in the original strategic plan.

"The current conditions warrant a revisit of the enterprise strategy for the centre in the coming years to capitalise on, and optimise the emerging opportunities which come with change.

"The RM Williams Australia Bush Learning Centre looks into the future with optimism and excitement and invites all North Burnett residents and visitors to embrace the Bush Spirit and Centre's future ventures."

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Significant achievements:

6,132 visitors including 586 from other states

Increased partnership with schools particularly Eidsvold State School

Support from motorhome groups, caravan clubs and senior citizens groups

67 learning room activities including silver chain link jewellery making

Tourism Queensland-supported digital online training workshops and whip making

13 gallery exhibits with a mixture of local and Queensland Arts-link contributions

The MLA beef forum

The Bush Spirit Festival and photo competition

The flood recovery celebration R.O.C. Up concert