Shire Seeks Shared Vision for Broome Community Plan

What sort of facilities, community feeling and recreation opportunities do you want in Broome's future?
The Shire of Broome is developing a Community Plan and needs your input.
They're looking at things like community, culture, arts, sports and recreation in Broome over the next five years.

How you can be involved:

Do an online survey
The online survey will take 10-15 minutes to complete. Find them on the Shire of Broome website, http://www.broome.wa.gov.au/

Interactive Workshops on Different Topics

Broome's Community - Tuesday 30th November, 5pm - 7:30pm, Function room Shire of Broome
Sport & Recreation - Wednesday 1st December, 5pm - 7:30pm, Function room Shire of Broome
Culture & Arts - Thursday 2nd December, 5pm - 7:30pm, Function room Shire of Broome

Women of Pearling Statue Unveiled

The Women of Pearling Staue will be unveiled today at 5:30pm on the Roebuck Bay Foreshore, Hamersley Street. It is in recognition and dedication to the women who contributed to Broome's pearling industry. The statue will oficially be unveiled by Hon. Wendy Duncan.
For more information see: http://www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au/events_monthly.asp

Turtle Time

It's the time of the year that the turtles start to turn up on the shores around Broome, Eco Beach and Eighty Mile Beach. Conservation Volunteers Australia are running Turtle Monitoring Programs over the next few months. 


Programs include a combination of some of the following:

• Turtle Tagging 
• Egg Counts
• Surveys
• Nest and Beach Temperature Monitoring
• Identifying Animal Tracks
• Hatchling Monitoring
• Flipper Tagging
• Body Measurements

For more information, check out http://broomevisitorcentre.com.au/accom_result1/conservation-volunteers-australia/

BVC

Tourism Awards Cover All Seasons

Tourism industry representatives and guests from around the State gathered last night at Burswood Entertainment Complex Grand Ballroom for the prestigious Western Australian Tourism Awards – the State’s highest honours in tourism excellence.

The Gala Dinner, attended by some 900 guests, saw the coming together of the top tourism businesses throughout Western Australia.

The evening, hosted by Linney’s Ambassador and Getaway host Jason Dundas and Channel 9’s Louise Momber, featured a spectacular “Four Seasons” theme complimented by dazzling entertainment.

The tradition of the Brand family’s long standing involvement in the tourism industry in Western Australia continued last night with Lady Brand being accompanied by Dr. Jennie Bickmore-Brand to present the prestigious Sir David Brand Awards.

The Sir David Brand Award for Tourism, recognising the outstanding achievement by an organisation in promoting or servicing the Western Australian tourism industry, was won by Willie Creek Pearl Farm. Jon Jessop, who has had a long association with tourism in Western Australia, won the Sir David Brand Medal for Outstanding Contribution by an Individual and Frances Jones won the Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal.

Six businesses were inducted into the WA Tourism Hall of Fame having won their respective categories three years in a row. These were Cable Beach Club Resort & Spa, Challenger Institute of Technology – Marine Training Centre Fremantle, Fremantle Prison, Perth City YHA, Surf Life Saving Australia and Willie Creek Pearls.

Tourism Council WA CEO, Graham Moss said that “there had been an increase in the number of entrants into the Eco and Cultural tourism categories. This is pleasing as these tourism experiences are certainly gathering popularity.”

Moss, who is also the Chair of Judges for the Awards, said that “the standard of submissions were especially high this year which positions WA for success in the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards which will be held on the 11^th March 2011 in Perth. He said that hosting the National Awards in Perth was a great opportunity to showcase WA tourism to an estimated 600 interstate tourism operators who will attend the Awards.

2010 Western Australia Tourism Awards Winners & Medalists

CATEGORY 1 – Major Tourist Attractions

Gold – Perth Zoo

Silver – Rottnest Island

Bronze – The Bell Tower, Home of the Swan Bells,

CATEGORY 2 – Tourist Attractions

Gold – Sandalford Wines

Silver – Western Australian Museum

Bronze – Bibbulmun Track

CATEGORY 3 – Major Festivals and Events

Gold – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association

Silver – Sunseeker Australia Cup

CATEGORY 4 – Festivals and Events

Gold– Argyle Diamonds Ord Valley Muster

Silver – Australia Day Skyworks Celebrations

Bronze – Sandalford Wines – Spandau Ballet & Tears for Fears

CATEGORY 5 – Ecotourism

Gold – Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises

Silver – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat

Bronze – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association

CATEGORY 6 – Heritage and Cultural Tourism

Gold – Fremantle Prison

Silver – Two Feet & a Heartbeat

Bronze – Donnelly River Cruises

CATEGORY 7 – Indigenous Tourism

Gold – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat

Silver – Home Valley Station

Bronze – Uptuyu Adventures

CATEGORY 8 – Specialised Tourism Services

Gold – Natural Olive Oil Soap Factory

Silver – Fremantle Prison Gift Shop

Bronze – Tree Top Walk Gift Shop

CATEGORY 9 – Visitor Information and Services

Gold – Swan Valley Visitor Centre

Silver – City of Perth i - City

Bronze – Kununurra Visitor Centre

CATEGORY 10 – Meetings and Business Tourism

Gold – Esplanade Hotel Fremantle

Silver – Hyatt Regency Perth

CATEGORY 11 – Major Tour and/or Transport Operators

Gold – Adams Coachlines and Swan Gold Tours

Silver – Veolia Transport WA Pty Ltd

CATEGORY 12 – Tour and/or Transport Operators

Gold – Kimberley Wild Expeditions

Silver - Pearl Sea Coastal Cruises

Bronze- Wine for Dudes Wine Tours

CATEGORY 13 – Adventure Tourism

Gold – Ningaloo Reef Dreaming

Silver – Windward Balloon Adventures

Bronze – Three Islands Whale Shark Dive

CATEGORY 14 – Tourism Marketing

Gold – Geographe Bay Visitor Guide

Silver – Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association

Bronze – Top Trails WA

CATEGORY 15 – Tourism Education and Training

Gold – Quinlan’s Hospitality & Tourism Training Centre – Challenger Institute of

Technology

Silver – Central Institute of Technology

Bronze – Home Valley Station

CATEGORY 16 – Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services

Gold – Café Pronto

Silver – Sandalford Wines

Bronze – Matilda Bay Restaurant

CATEGORY 17 - Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Boutique Breweries

Gold – Sandalford Wines

Silver – Saracen Estate Incorporating Duckstein Brewery Wilyabrup

Bronze – Elmar’s in the Valley

CATEGORY 18 – Tourist and Caravan Parks

Gold – Exmouth Cape Holiday Park – Aspen Parks

CATEGORY 19 – Backpacker Accommodation

Gold– Blue Reef Backpackers – Exmouth Cape Holiday Park – Aspen Parks

CATEGORY 20 – Hosted Accommodation

Gold – Cape Howe Cottages

Silver – Wildwood Valley Villa and Cottages

Bronze – Loose Goose Chalets

CATEGORY 21 – Unique Accommodation

Gold – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat

Silver – Injidup Spa Retreat

Bronze – Forest Rise Eco Retreat

CATEGORY 22 – Standard Accommodation

Gold – Perth Ambassador Hotel

CATEGORY 23 – Deluxe Accommodation

Gold– Kununurra Country Club Resort

Silver – Jarrah Grove Retreat

Bronze – Habitat Resort Broome

CATEGORY 24 – Luxury Accommodation

Gold – Pinctada Cable Beach Spa Resort

Silver – Smiths Beach Resort, Yallingup

CATEGORY 25 – New Tourism Development

Gold – Nullarbor Links

Silver – Wilderness Getaways

Bronze – Skydive Jurien Bay

CATEGORY 26 – Qantas Award For Excellence in Sustainable Tourism

Winner – Eco Beach Wilderness Retreat

Sir David Brand Award for Tourism

Winner – Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Sir David Brand Medal

Winner – Jon Jessop

Sir David Brand Young Achiever Medal

Winner – Frances Jones

FACET Golden Guide Award

Winner – Sean Blocksidge

Let's talk about the weather

November so far has proven to be blissful in Broome. The days have been in the mid thirties, the nights warm, but not too hot... A cool breeze has been blowing off the Indian Ocean at night, cooling down those lucky people who sit and watch the beautiful Cable Beach sunset.

Today we are forcast for thunderstorms, very exciting! The thunderstorm season is an amazing time of year here - get your cameras out!

We hope to see you in Broome soon.

BVC

http://broomevisitorcentre.com.au/pages/climate/

Mango Festival Program Now Online

Mango Festival Program now online and it's making us here in Broome hungry for Mangos!

Lions Club of Broome

Mango Festival 2010

                                                                  

MANGO QUIZ NIGHT

Thursday, November 25 from 7pm at the Broome RSL, Robinson St.

Tickets $10 from Kimberley Windows in Shady Lane. No door sales.

Get a team of eight together to share in thousands of dollars worth of prizes. BYO snacks, bar facilities available.

Proceeds provide playground equipment for Broome primary schools.

GREAT BARTENDERS OF BROOME

Friday, November 26 from 7pm at Zeebar, Sanctuary Road.

Tickets $10 from Zeebar and Zoo Café, or at the door.

Watch Broome’s best bartenders in action preparing mango cocktails. Complimentary champagne or beer on arrival, door prize and raffles. Compered by George Manning and music by DJ.

Proceeds to prostate and breast cancer research.

MANGO JAMMING

Friday, November 26 from 6.30pm at Goolarri Media, Blackman St.

Entry $15, food and bar facilities available.

A host of local bands performing, hosted by Stephen ‘Baamba’ Albert.

Proceeds to Broome Disability Group.

MANGO JAMS, CAKES AND CHUTNEYS

Saturday, November 27 from 8am to noon at Broome Boulevard, Frederick St.

Entry $2, tasting $2.

Come and sample the work of Broome’s best amateur cooks. Entries of home-made mango jams, cakes and chutneys accepted between 8am and 9am at the venue. Category winners receive a $100 Woolworths voucher.

Proceeds to Lioness Club charities.

MANGO TASTING

Saturday, November 27 from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Matso’s Broome Brewery, Hamersley St.

Entry $2.

Sample a host of mango varieties from around the Kimberley, get advice on growing mangoes from expert horticulturalist Kim Courtenay and buy your own grafted mango trees.

Proceeds to the Royal Flying Doctor Service. 

GREAT CHEFS OF BROOME

Sunday, November 28 from 10.30am to 2.30pm at The Mangrove Resort Hotel, Carnarvon St.

Tickets $40 per head from Mangrove reception.

Watch Broome’s top chefs compete for this prestigious title and $1250 in prize money. Enjoy a complimentary champagne or beer on arrival, a sumptuous buffet brunch and be in the running to win the Linneys pearl door prize. Compered by George Manning and live music.

Proceeds to the Kyle Andrews Foundation.

 Info Here:http://www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au/events_monthly.asp

Death or Glory Burger

How far would you go for a burger? This blog follows the journey of two guys on motorbikes touring the country, rating burgers as they go... Check it out!

http://lotburger.com/2010/10/19/death-or-glory/

Racing the World 100

Are you or anyone you know going to be doing the "Racing the Planet 100" through the Kimberley?

Let us know about it!

http://www.4deserts.com/100/kimberley/ 

Can Kylie the mango outshine the Kensington Pride?

This is what we're all about this November - Mango Mango Mango


Check out the below info on a new breed of Mango - yum!


http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201011/s3061104.htm?site=kimberley

Mango Festival - November 25 - 28

One of our favorite times of the year - November brings with it the fruition of the Mango trees around Broome. Each year Broome suffers a bout of Mango Madness during the Annual Mango Festival. 




This year it is Broome's 24th Mango Festival, and will see the same fantastic Mango events in Broome 2010. 




For more info on What's On, check out our website;




http://www.broomevisitorcentre.com.au/events_monthly.asp

Have you seen us lately?

Have you seen the Broome Visitor Centre lately? It's a far cry from the old DC3 aircraft we used to be in! This year we have really put some life in the centre.

We were lucky enough to have the interior walls decorated by the very talented Yane from Yane Sotiroski Photography, Nigel Gaunt from Red Dirt Photography and Jim from Delphoto. It has injected some amazing Broome colours into the place.

We have also installed some new slide shows, to give you some ideas about how to spend your time in Broome.

Our retail section is also growing - come and check out our range of local and imported goods, pick up some pressies or maybe just something for yourself!

Come and check it out - hope to see you soon!

BVC