Presidents report 2011

WOMEN IN TOURISM TASMANIA “WITT”

PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2011

 Women in Tourism Tasmania was launched on the 28th September 2009, and we have now successfully completed our second year. It has been an exciting and eventful year and watching the organization expand to Launceston, has been very rewarding. 

The primary purpose of WITT is to enable women to network with industry colleagues through membership forums, events and the WITT profile. WITT will support and raise awareness for approved charities or aid organizations.

WITT is about:-

W      Women supporting their colleagues

I        Independently offering opportunities to youth and future generations.

T       Taking time to mentor and educate

T       To expand the tourism and hospitality industries. 

Witt’s chosen charity for 2010 was Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, to support with educating schools on the endangered species in Tasmania. We will be carrying it over to this year to enable further support within the education in the Schools. We would also like to congratulate Greg Irons on winning the Environment Medal at the recent Pride of Australia awards. Launceston’s charity was Lupus Foundation for the year, they also will be taking on the Bonorong fundraiser this year.

WITT also donated $600.00 to the RSPCA, Queensland flood appeal.

We have had a wonderful year with many functions –

Christmas was celebrated in November at The Old Woolstore. It was also an exhausting event with a Zumba lesson but never the less a fun night with all enjoying our surprise guest Santa (Judy Livingstone). Santa enjoyed all the guests sitting on her knee and handing out gifts.

Our next event was held in the beautiful surrounds of PuddleDuck hosted by Jackie & Darren.  We were able to sample their boutique wines overlooking the lovely lake with the ducks. We also enjoyed some wicked cheeses from Wicked Cheese and learnt about them from Jenifer. Pizza’s were devoured from Anton’s. Our return journey was generously donated again from Experience Tasmania.

We were spoilt with a members night at Harmony Hill Wellness & Organic Spa Retreat in March, hosted by Alfred  and Ami. Pure deluxe and relaxing event where they were able to showcase their wonderful remote retreat. On the return journey home driven by Vicki, from Tasmania I Drive we were still in awe by the wonderful evening, relaxed and sober.

Next  we had a scary and enjoyable evening at the Peniteniary Chapel in May, where we were able tour the dungeons and learn how the bad were punished. One of our members had the experience of standing in the gallows but was allowed to leave on good behavior.

Myself & Judy travelled to Launceston in July for the Tasmanian Tourism Conference, where we were met by Launceston WITT and teamed up with Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary for a successful trade show. We were able to sign up 4 new members on the day.

Our recent event at Polytechnic was enjoyed by a lunch served and cooked by Cert 3 students. Jane Richardson did a wonderful job interviewing Robyn Lewis from Visit Vineyards where we were inspired by her passion and experience. I witnessed several taking notes where we all learnt something on the day.

Launceston has enjoyed many functions too, commencing on 26th October 2010 at The Boathouse the opening of the Northern WITT, officiated by Michelle O’Byrne. The talented Rebecca King from Kingthing engaged them in her talk.

Then they went on to have many fun, successful evenings at the Country Club Casino in December with a visit from Santa, back to the Boathouse in March, April was at the Manhatten Wine Bar with Tourism’s CEO Luke Martin. June was hosted by Qantaslink at the Airport and generously donated by Ashleigh Trouncer was a Clinique lipstick for each guest.  In August it was at Westpac with Wendy Summer from the Ruby connection. In September they represented WITT at Strahan on the Trade Table.

We would like to thank our sponsors who have helped from the beginning and have been extremely generous, also to those who have donated prizes for events, to our wonderful speakers and to the venues for hosting our functions.

For as little as $75.00 for a yearly membership you can be involved in a growing organization, by meeting and making new friends.

We are now on Facebook, so join us as your friend!

Finally without the full support of the committee, with whom I am extremely grateful for the hard work and dedication in assisting me make this work, I cannot thank enough, Vanessa Lyons, Jill Bannon, Kelly Luck, Jan Horton, and Toni Brown, Leonie Chung, Judy Livingstone, Larni Davies and the Launceston team, Karen Phillips, Kathy McConnell & Kim Jeffery.

I look forward to our continued success and growth and being able to assist all women associated with Tourism. 

With warm regards

Sally Deane

President

Women in Tourism Tasmania