Between September 7 and September 15, Ms. Shizuka Narita, one of our Assistant Directors, visited Meander Valley Council in Tasmania to learn more about farming and tourism in the different areas within Meander Valley.
Through her study tour, she visited 41° South Tasmania and Gin Seng Farm, Crowden Family Dairy Farm, Ashgrove Dairy Farm and Shop, Christmas Hill Raspberry Farm, Hazelbrae at Hagley (Hazelnut Farm), Springfield Deer Farm to learn about farming and agri-tourism. She found that Tasmania has a wide range of delicious foods thanks to rainfall and fertile soil and that farmers also make great efforts to promote their products and contribute to tourism in the area.
She also visited Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre, Yarns Artwork in Silk, Districts Falk Museum to learn about tourism, localities and history in the region. Mr. Greg Murray from the Kooparoona Niara Tours showed her the very impressive Kooparooa Niara Cultural Trail around and kindly explained the details of Australian native plants and Aboriginal culture in the area. As Ms Narita is interested in experience-based tour, she was very grateful for this informative experience.
Ms Narita also had the opportunity to observe a council meeting on September 11, and two meetings relating to local economy on September 13. She also met Tasmanian Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, who is also the Minister for Local Government and Minister for State Growth at Tasmania at one of meetings on September 13. Ms Narita commented on how impressed she was to see that the close cooperation between state government, councils, and local industries.
CLAIR Sydney would like to extend our sincere thanks to the Mayor of the Meander Valley Council, Mr. Craig Perkins, General Manager, Mr. Martin Guill, Director Community & Development Services, Ms. Lynette While, Community Development Manager, Mr. Patrick Gambles, Project Manager, Sustainable Development, Mr. Craig Plaisted, Business Engagement Officer, Mr. Alan Blackmore and other staff members of Meander Valley Council for accommodating Ms. Narita’s study tour.
