Speech 6 - Launch of the revamped "Spa Country Around and About" (2003)

 

LAUNCH OF THE REVAMPED

 “SPA COUNTRY AROUND AND ABOUT”

(Speech written and delivered by Warren Maloney, as Mayor, on Monday, 2nd June 2003 to the Tourist Operators at the Daylesford Visitor information Centre)

 

 My friends and neighbours,

 

Advertising publishing is as hard as it gets in both the advertising and the publishing industries. There is no easy 10% off the top as with an advertising agency. There is no “publish and be damned” reversion as with the crusading publishers.

 

Advertising publishers put their precious parts on the butcher’s table with each issue, combining subservience vs inspiration with their advertisers, at the same time as attempting to provide “niche-driven” food thought to a readership that generally finds it difficult to read past 10 lines.

 

And when you do get it right, your closest supporters follow their words of congratulation usually within a period of 1 year with lines like “Have you thought about a different layout?” or “Have you considered adding competitions for children?”

 

I have enormous respect for advertising publishers. In this Shire, we are fortunate to have 2 good advertising publishing companies (“Around & About” and “Lost”), both of whom stand in front of their industry and deliver excellent results.

 

Kim Lyden and Gary Ashley may dream of a quiet life of hosting lovers and dreamers in their wonderful “Orient Express” style accommodation. But they are prepared to put their priority time into producing “Spa Country Around & About”, into making its layout, its advertising, its articles, its distribution vital assets in promoting the accommodation, food, wine, retail, transport, and eco-tourism opportunities of our Shire.

 

And today, they are back next to the butcher’s table with more than a face make-up. Their magazine has been to the gym to gain in size, been to the resort to gain in health, been to the shops to gain in colour and been to the streets to make it relevant.

 

Kim and Gary, well done!

 

 I am sure that there will be negative comments passed by negative people. Of course, listen to them as you will to the overwhelming, genuine, encouraging comments from so many of your friends and neighbours and from the businesses and visitors who are very, very grateful for “Spa Country Around & About” and who are learning to understand your vision.

 

This very different Hepburn Shire Council and its officers pledge their support for your work. We will work together to bring economic development and jobs to our Shire and cohesion and information to our residents – the Hepburn Club. We are on the team.

 

It gives me a particular pleasure to say today 

“I formally launch the new look, the new approach, the new substance of Spa Country Around & About”.

 

 



 

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