Proposal

Hi Everyone,

Here is my preliminary ramblings for the proposal, I've just put them in case it can help anyone with grants, etc and also so anyone can say they think it's shit or needs some other info, etc. THIS ONLY A DRAFT!!!!!!

And we maybe can get the rest of the proposal up here too?

Naomi


 * __1.What is the goal?__**


 * __2. What are the main objectives?__**


 * __3.Background/Statement of the Issue/ Significance of the Project?__**

 Loddon Shire has a decreasing population in general and an increasing elderly population. (LSEDS) As a farming community, it means that the small towns that used to exists are now barely more than hamlets, and soon the towns that make up the Loddon Shire won't be viable any more, hence the Loddon Shire will be in big trouble (LSEDS). This is partly due to the drought that made it so hard for farmers to live (reference!) and partly due to the pull of the younger people to the city (reference!)  Luckily, there are plans in place to fix this, the first and foremost the Loddon Shire Economic Development Strategy and an important part of this is diversifying through tourism as this will not only help bring the people flow through the Shire to garner the interest (and possibly some will stay) but by bringing the people flow, it will bring in cash and help diversify business opportunity (they won't just be trading with themselves anymore). This is important if you look at other Goldfields areas such as Bendigo/Ballart who although small towns (relatively) have large tourism structures and business is booming! (reference!!!)  Council has had plans to put up a website to showcase the region. A website that is attractive and user friendly, especially to target and encourage younger people to come up and visit the Shire. This website is essential because it would bring all the information together in the most appealing way possible in a form of media that is the most attractive to young people that would target and bring in young people. It is also one of the most viable ways of doing this because (although creating it is a substantial project in itself) buy putting the information out there, and getting the people flow going, then along with the people will spring up more businesses, a real tourism industry! Furthermore, it will create awareness, so even if people don't immediately visit once the website is up, it will be in the back of their minds- hey, why not camp in Wedderburn this year? Having that information out there and known is an important thing! (Conversation with Robyn 4/5/11).  So the website is essential, we understand that. Tragically, the floods came through and decimated the Shire, putting the website on the back burners. Here we come in, as not only can we help them achieve the goals as mentioned above (and make a huge difference) but we are supporting them in a time of need, as even by getting the tourism going it will help them recover (reference).  So pretty much, we are super hero like people doing super things like building this absolutely essential website give, us money (and lots of it), pretty please! Ps- and we are doing an amazing thing, did I mention it!


 * __4.Who are your stakeholders?__**


 * Council as our active partners in creating this website, not only as an organisation but as people who belong to a community and have goals that are important and necessary to them that we are helping them achieve.
 * The Loddon Shire as a community as a whole who need to diversify into tourism to stay as viable towns. Within the Shire the stakeholders are numerous:
 * Families
 * Business
 * Farmers
 * Community groups
 * Our group personally as we learn more about rural Victoria, website building and create partnerships within the community.
 * The University of Melbourne as it builds an exciting partnership with the Loddon Shire. Learning on both sides (ie- Pat got excited about the community spirit, the unique way rural council works) and they get the opportunity, that as Robyn said, is one that is extremely rare and exciting for a rural shire to be affiliated with a big and powerful and wonderful association such as Melbourne Univeristy.
 * The IT company will also be involved.
 * Anyone who gives us grants.
 * Group One will slightly be involved due to their photos being on our website and possibly sharing the launch. Good publicity with them, working together creates friendly networks between the two groups.


 * __5.What are some current approaches to the issue that your project aims to address?__**

<span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> Council website- bit all over the place <span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> Loddon Alive (different idea) <span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> Information centre has information- hard format. <span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> Driving tours, etc.

<span style="display: block; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> That's about it- new area.


 * __6.How will your project be different to these current approaches?__**


 * __7.What are some potential strengths and weaknesses of your project team?__**


 * __8. Project 'To Do' list and time line.__**


 * __9.What funding sources will you use to deliver your project?__**