About Us
Seacc Annual Report 2005-2006
INTRODUCTION
2005/06 was a great year for Seacc. Targets set for activity regarding the Regional Partnership Program and the Small Business Field Officer Program were well exceeded.
The Seacc committee contains regional representatives with significant experience in regional development issues and our staff are experienced and competent in their roles.
The regional partnership sub committee has been working well and a new youth sub committee is underway.
Innovative projects keep happening within Seacc as evidenced in this report. There is no doubt that Seacc is continuing to build its links in working with the community, business and the government.
Our one area where we could look for improvement is in the servicing of the Indigenous community following the loss of the Indigenous Project Officer last year and the services of Iris White on our committee. Additional Indigenous leaders have been asked to become involved in the year ahead.
Seacc looks forward to carrying on this success into the new financial year.
1. Highlights
- Regional Partnership Program activity resulted in 14 projects funded in the Seacc region. Total funding was $1,567,750 with projects having a total value of $4,507,000.
- A very successful year for our Small Business Field Officer project resulting in further funding for two years.
- Seacc managed an additional contract with AusIndustry for Home Based Businesses.
- The Seacc co-ordinated training website www.southeasttrainingproviders.org continues to grow in internet usage.
- Four one day leadership workshops were held around the region.
- A youth survey that gained 296 responses was conducted and results circulated.
- The Seacc Student Diary was developed, printed and circulated to 3300 students at local high schools.
- The Seacc Business Diary was developed, printed and circulated to 2500 businesses in the region. In addition Seacc co-ordinated this project for three other ACCs.
- Initial planning took place for a skills survey to be conducted in the August September 2006 period.
- Seacc Chair Greg Malavey has been appointed to the national Chairs Reference Group.
- Planning and preparation for three grant writing seminars to be run in August 2006.
2. Report on major activities against Seacc Strategic Plan
Goal 1
Support a planned co-operative approach to regional development
- Regional Partnership Program activity resulted in 14 projects funded in the Seacc region. Total funding was $1,567,750 with projects having a total value of $4,507,000. Thanks to Peter Hughes for his relentless action to develop projects.
- Planning for skills shortage survey done resulting in a partnership between Seacc, University of Wollongong and Careers Advice Australia.
- Stats on Seacc website significantly expanded.
- Michelle Robinson’s cruise ship work was rewarded with seven vessels calling into Eden during summer and more to come. This is an outcome for RAP funding.
- Seacc Chair Greg Malavey has been appointed to the national Chairs Reference Group.
- Four South East Labour market meetings held around the region.
- Three Snowy Combined Chambers of Commerce meetings were organised and chaired by Seacc. From these meetings a letter has been sent to the three Mayors in the Snowy Monaro regarding the possibility of a joint regional development plan for that region.
- EO sat on a broadband aggregation project committee run by the CRDB.
- EO addressed the Regional Leaders forum in Canberra about ACCs and Seacc activities.
- Seacc became a member of South East Australia Transport Study (SEATS)
- Chair met with Canberra Region ACC re the need for an improved Kings Hwy.
- EO attended a regional development meeting in Queanbeyan with State and Commonwealth agencies.
Goal 2
Support development of business and industry
- A very successful year for our Small Business Field Officer Project resulting in further funding for two years. Our Small Business Field Officer (Sarah Hannebery) achievements included:
Total seminars for this period July 2005 – June 2006 were.
- Future Business Trends in the Region x 9 Attendees: 180
- Voice Over Internet Protocol (ICT Cluster) x 3 Attendees: 46
- Robert Gerrish (Work less, Achieve More) x 3 Attendees: 98
- e.business seminars by Austrade x 4 Attendees: 52
- ICT Cluster (mainly Bega Valley) 3 meetings Attendees: 63
- Small Business in small towns x 3 Attendees: 26
- Tax Basics by the ATO x 7. Attendees: 160
- Pricing: Know what you are Worth x 7 Attendees: 125
- Business Growth Expo x 3 Attendees: 95
- Human Resources Management x 10 Attendees: 153
- Employee of Choice workshops in the Snowy Mtns Attendees: 45
- Total seminars: 53 Total Attendees: 1043
Other initiatives include:
- 2005 and 2006 Snowy Mountains “Employee of Choice Promotion”
- Business Growth Expo
- Small Business in Small Towns Program
Total enquiries and pro active contacts 28,251
Total face to face contacts: 278
- Planned, arranged sponsorship, designed, printed and posted 2500 business diaries. Plus co-ordinated this project on behalf of three other ACCs
- Sarah Hannebery has also been instrumental in setting up an Information Technology cluster in each of the three sub regions.
- Seacc was also contracted to AusIndustry for a Home Based business project. Three one day forums were organised by Sarah with 134 people attending. Home based business clubs have now been formed.
- The “Business Trends You Need to Know” seminars run by Dr Kim Houghton and part funded through Seacc and SBAO project was a huge success being held in 10 locations.
- EO and Chair continued their involvement with business development groups in the Bega Valley and Eurobodalla respectively.
- Two Regional Partnership approvals were to private businesses.
Goal 3
Building community skills and capacity
- The Seacc student diary has been developed by Dianne and the 2006 version is the best yet. Significant sponsorship was also possible. 3300 diaries were circulated to year 10,11 and 12 students at local high schools.
- Some preliminary work has occurred in regard to the tapping into the skills of the semi retired and retired sector of the community. More work to happen in new financial year.
- Developed, promoted and held three leadership one day workshops with positive feedback. Workshops held in Cooma, Moruya and Tathra.
- The www.southeasttrainingproviders.org website has been revamped and Seacc has produced a wallet calendar as the latest marketing tool. Seacc also wrote to all primary and high schools highlighting this training website for inclusion in school newsletters. A newspaper advertising campaign was also conducted in June with “visits” to the site now at 24 per day (up from 8 last year)
- Designed youth survey and circulated with Seacc student diary project. Comprehensive analysis prepared and results circulated far and wide. A competition was also organised to attract young people to be involved.
- Supported two Young Achievers projects in the region at Cooma and Bega to promote entrepreneurial growth.
- Developed, planned and prepared for three grant writing seminars to be held in August 06.
- Commenced working closely with existing youth network groups in Eurobodalla, Bega Valley and Monaro.
- Twelve Regional Partnership projects approved for community style projects.
Goal 4
Partnerships with Indigenous communities
- Seacc co-ordinated an indigenous mentoring meeting in July. Some serious steps forward have happened since with Indigenous Employment Specialists setting up a mentoring service in the region.
- EO attended meetings in Queanbeyan re sharing of ideas to further Indigenous project development.
- New indigenous Seacc members canvassed to join Seacc after Iris White’s resignation.
- Discussions about Koori employment opportunities held with SE Farm Forestry re portable milling and also Fred Maher from SCMA re a possible Koori revegetation team.
Seacc marketing initiatives
- Seacc has had discussions with a professional journalist to undertake some work for Seacc in regard to news releases etc. A range of news releases circulated. Many releases written by the journalist.
- Promotional shirts distributed to for Seacc members.
- Three Seacc newsletters compiled printed and distributed each with a circulation of 2500.
- Chair and staff involved with a range of radio interviews about Seacc activities. 16 media releases distributed over the year.
- Seacc business and student diaries distributed.
- Seacc promoted along with the promotions of the regional training website.
- Seacc promoted at the 53 business seminars plus leadership seminars.
Seacc administration issues
- Finalised policy and procedures manual.
- Co-ordinated responses from ACCs regarding issues from the CRG that Greg Malavey is sitting on.
- Seacc meetings were held at Delegate, Moruya, Tathra and Tomakin.
- Regular phone hook ups of the RP sub committee were held.
- Developed and negotiated a business plan for the next year with DOTARS.
- Chair and EO attended the Chairs conference in Canberra.
- Quality Assurance check on Seacc records done by Marion Donaldson from Canberra Region ACC. John Dedman carried out similar check at the ACC in Canberra.
Strategic Plan 2004-2007
The process Seacc followed in identifying issues for this plan included liaison with a range of organisations such as Local Government, State Government, Australian Capital Region Development Council, Chambers of Commerce and combined business groups in the Bega Valley, Eurobodalla and Snowy-Monaro regions. In addition Seacc held planning meetings, considered strategies from other organisations, and invited key stakeholders to speak at Seacc meetings as they were held around the region.
Download Strategic Plan 2004-2007
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