Annual Report 2019 - 2020

visitwollongong.com.au

Acknowledgement of Dharawal Country

We would like to acknowledge Aboriginal people and their cultural and spiritual connection to this land. Their stories are written in the land and hold great significance to Aboriginal people from the mountains to the sea. As you travel through the immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Dharawal Country.

Contents

Chairman’s Report 4

General Manager’s Report 5

Destination Marketing 6

Business Events 7

Major Events 9

International 10

People & Organisation 11

Visitor Information Centres 15

Reconciliation Action Plan 17

Financial Report 18

Front cover image: Chester See Back cover image: Callum Collings Internal cover artwork: Platypus Dreamings - Artist Richard Campbell Annual Report 2019-2020 3 Chairman’s Report

To say that those of us involved in Tourism and Hospitality Our challenge is to be innovative, creative and have had the most challenging year for decades, is an collaborative in how we encourage visitors to select absolute understatement! During 2019/20, like many in as their chosen safe destination. , we have faced some of the most devasting Bush It is my hope that other agencies in Wollongong will be Fires in history, damaging floods and then the effects of a willing to assist us in supporting the recovery of the world-wide pandemic. Tourism operators in Wollongong visitor economy in Wollongong, through improvements in have had to dig-deep during the last year and thus the infrastructure, collaborative programs and community support of our partners and stakeholders has been the engagement, to restore the opportunities for positive major focus for Destination Wollongong. economic development and employment. During the pandemic, Destination Wollongong considered Although we have experienced considerable postponement how it could best support the visitor economy industries, and some cancellation of events – there are good signs with the resources at its disposal, and assist in their that events are rescheduling and considering how ‘resumption and recovery’ – when that time came. they can operate in a COVID Safe way. Destination With the physical effects of the weather events and then Wollongong is particularly excited about the opportunities the necessary COVID19 travel restrictions, it has meant for this City in its hosting of the 2022 UCI Roads that those involved in tourism and hospitality have had to World Cycling Championships. Not only will this event learn to do business differently and the same has been the provide an incredible impetus for us all to benefit from case for Destination Wollongong. I have been very proud of accommodation and other economic benefits during the the organisation in their willingness to accept new ways event – but the lead-up activities and the championship to support their partners. The Visitor Economy Support legacy will put Wollongong on the world-map and leave Program, that was co-hosted with KPMG, was just one the City with a huge number of improvements and positive example of how Destination Wollongong reached out to changes. support those affected by the challenges of the fires, flood Whether it is the 2022 UCI World Cycling Championships and COVID19. or other major events that are beginning to return, Prior to the disruptions of 2020 and during the second Destination Wollongong looks forward to working with half of 2019, Destination Wollongong remained active the organisers in promoting this city and to generating a in its strategic pillars of partner and community wide range of economic, employment, community and engagement, event identification and promotion, business promotional benefits. tourism event acquisition, destination marketing and As usual I thank the members of the Destination encouraging investment in tourism facilities, resources and Wollongong Board for their commitment and ongoing infrastructure. support during this unique period. In November 2019 Destination Wollongong proudly We are very lucky to have a committed team at launched its Wollongong Press Play new Brand for Destination Wollongong – who this year have all had their Wollongong. The new Brand was well received, own personal challenges to face - but through it all, have and implementation was well underway when the been willing to assist each other and their partners and bushfires hit. It is fair to say that the full benefits of this stakeholders. I thank Mark Sleigh and all the members contemporary, innovative and exciting new Brand program of the Destination Wollongong team. Your dedication, are yet to be realised – but I have every confidence that commitment and never-wavering passion makes as COVID19 restrictions are lifted – Wollongong Press Destination Wollongong the appreciated organisation that Play will be well-placed to contribute significantly to the it remains. resumption and recovery of tourism in Wollongong. It is my sincere belief that soon we will be able to ‘Press Destination Wollongong is currently engaged in creating Play’ again and open up Wollongong to the world – and for new ways to think and new ways to act. I expect that we most of us, that day cannot come quickly enough. will see different styles of recreation, holidays and visiting, as the restrictions lift. There will be new opportunities to engage with NSW, the other states and (in the future) overseas travellers and it may well provide positive outcomes – albeit different to pre- COVID19. Colin Bloomfield Chairman

4 Chairman’s Report | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | General Manager’s Report 5 General Manager’s Report

It is fair to say that this has been a year like no other for the Destination Wollongong are enabled by the long term tourism and hospitality industry. Our summer season was strategic support of Wollongong City Council, and we decimated by once in a generation bushfires and for the thank Cr Gordon Bradbery AM and his team of Councillors first time in memory, our region was actively encouraging for their ongoing support. visitors to stay away. We work closely with Wollongong Council on a daily basis, No sooner had the fires died down and we started to and pass on our appreciation to Greg, Kerry, Sue, Mark and hear about a pandemic by the name of COVID19, an event Emma especially for their support over the past twelve that would change all of our lives forever. Not only were months. visitors told to stay away, we were all told to stay home, My thanks to our Chairman, Col Bloomfield who has drastically changing the way the tourism and hospitality been instrumental in developing the strategic path for industries operated. the organisation over the past three years and worked Tourism and hospitality businesses have always been hard with the team on ensuring that the strategic plan is resilient and this year they have reacted like never before. delivered. ‘COVID safe’ became a phrase we have all learnt to live Col is supported by another eight amazing directors who with and through the responsibility of our operators and provide all of the support we require and allow us the the support of our local community; we now hope that freedom to turn our strategic plan into a reality. We know we are moving towards a sense normality as we enter the they are only a phone call away and are incredibly giving summer period. of their time and support. Thanks to each of you for your It’s not a year to celebrate record visitor numbers but it support and guidance throughout the year. is timely to thank our operators for their tenacity and The incredible team at Destination Wollongong continue resilience over the last twelve months. The Government to excel. It’s rare to work in such a selfless environment, has done their part with funding programs, in particular everyone works together to deliver each other’s projects Job Keeper, keeping doors open when times were tough and we enjoy a lot of laughs along the way. but without the strength and commitment of our small business owners, we would not be in the strong position we Let’s look towards 2021 with hope that the worst is behind are today as we head towards summer. us and we can begin to rebuild the visitor economy. Let’s continue to operate in a COVID safe manner ensuring Its now time to look forward to 2021 and far better days restrictions continue to lift and we return to a sense ahead. We are moving quickly towards Wollongong’s of normality as soon as possible. Most importantly, lets Olympic moment with the UCI Road World Cycling continue to work together championing Wollongong as the Championship and 300,000 visitors arriving in September place to live, work and play. 2022. The next twelve months we look forward to working with you to ensure we are “UCI ready” as a city to make the We know that hasn’t been easy but we hope better days most of the opportunity. are not far away and we look forward to supporting you all through the recovery process. More broadly in the events space, enquiries are as strong as ever in both the major and business event space and the second half of 2021 is looking very strong and the time when event operators will be able to host events in a brave new COVID world.

We are looking forward to a further easing of restrictions Mark Sleigh and the opportunity to ‘press play’ on our new destination General Manager marketing campaign. With self-drive being the primary method of transport whilst our borders are closed, Wollongong is perfectly positioned to capitalise on a population base of 5 million people looking for new experiences right on our doorstep.

4 Chairman’s Report | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | General Manager’s Report 5 Destination Marketing IT WAS A BIG YEAR FOR MARKETING, WITH THE LAUNCH OF OUR DESTINATION BRAND ‘PRESS PLAY’.

It was a big year for marketing, with the launch of our A renewed strategic focus on these platforms resulted in destination brand ‘Press Play’. The November launch was a commitment to deliver fresh, diverse content, which tied to a corporate breakfast and stunt by motocross obviously paid dividends. legend Robbie Maddison, which was telecast nationally on The global pandemic also required a re-think as to how we Sunrise as a lead-in to the Australian Motorcycle Festival. engaged on social media and with our partners. As a result, The brand was supported by a suite of seven video assets the pride-based campaign ‘We are Wollongong’ was born, addressing different industry sectors, a new website, resulting in isolation friendly content from our partners. dedicated social media campaign, wrap Similarly, the ‘Wollongong at Work’ campaign highlighted and a logo that was extremely well received in consumer the ingenious ways local operators pivoted during this surveys as part of pre-market research. time.

Fresh website design was supported by a number of A B2B Facebook Partner Group was formed to garner critical behind-the- scenes initiatives, with an emphasis on industry support and share ideas, after a survey revealed enhancing the user experience design through interactive half our partners had been forced to shut their doors. The trip planning elements for users. positive feedback regarding this initiative was outstanding and helped keep Destination Wollongong front-of-mind The visitor guide was also given a revamp, with a new- during particularly tough times. look A5 format in response to industry trends being well received. This was loyal to a core theme of playfulness Pivoting was also required in regard to our brand, with to complement our brand and included essential visitor virtual shutdown of the tourism industry leading us to information, themed destination content, partner create ‘Press Pause’ messaging across social media and advertisements and a directory. It was delivered on time television advertisements. and on budget. As part of the resumption of domestic travel at the end of Social media continued to grow and perform strongly, the financial year, focus shifted to showcasing Wollongong with followers by the end of the financial year at more as a safe place to visit and a focus on tangible co- than 101,000 across our three platforms and over 2.3 operative marketing campaigns which support the local million people reached. economy.

6 Destination Marketing | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | Business Events 7 Business Events DESTINATION WOLLONGONG CONTINUES TO ATTRACT AND SUPPORT BUSINESS EVENTS FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF INDUSTRIES.

AIME 2020 - Convention Centre TRADE EVENTS

AIME 2020 – The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo (AIME)

As the largest international tradeshow of its kind in Australia, each year the exhibition invites a community of over 4,000 suppliers and meeting and event planners to meet under one roof in Melbourne. The event turns the exhibition floor into a stage where major industry players meet senior influencers to connect, perform and prosper resulting in over 11,000 fact-to-face meetings over 3 days.

Destination Wollongong continues to invest and exhibit at this 3 day event to meet qualified buyers from Asia Pacific and the rest of the world which fosters connectivity and commerce.

6 Destination Marketing | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | Business Events 7 Associations Forum

The 14th Annual Associations Forum National Conference was held on the 14-16 July 2019 at the Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The conference welcomed over 500 attendees from 5 nations around the world over 3 days. The Associations Forum hosted the Conference Dinner & Association Awards at Australian Parliament House, and held 30 educational sessions featuring more than 60 speakers from the association and not-for-profit sector at the Canberra Convention Centre.

The Associations Forum National Conference commenced Welcome Function, Associations Forum Canberra in 2006 and is widely recognised as the premier meeting for the association sector in Australia and New Zealand.

Overview of reason for attending as per prospectus: • Raise corporate profile with associations • Exposure to leading association executives • Opportunity to network with not-for-profit organisations and increase conference leads and sales into the not-for-profit market

Our Exhibition Booth • Destination Wollongong used existing signage and furniture. 3 x Destination Event Videos were shown on rotation during the show on our booth. • Giveaways at our booth – Local Produce from Glenbernie Orchard was kindly donated by Jo for tastings. We hosted tastings of the World’s Best Apple Cider “The Howler” Darkes Cider and Non Alcoholic Cider “Little Blue”. We also offered fresh hand-picked apples. This allowed us to better engage with delegates and start a conversation around Wollongong and what else we have to offer. Delegates enjoyed the cider and learning more about Wollongong. • Marketing Collateral – Reasons to Conference in Wollongong as well as our Visitors Guide was provided to interested delegates. Associations Forum Canberra Convention Centre

Famils

Destination Wollongong partnered with DNSW Meet in NSW and the Professional Conference Association (PCOA) for a post conference famil following the 12th Annual 2019 Professional Conference Association Conference in in December last year.

The 2 day famil included Wollongong as the host destination, undertaking all logistical responsibilities for organising and hosting the famil with Key stakeholders (group transportation, accommodation, food/wine and entertainment) and PCOA assisted through promotion and registration via their channels.

Destination Wollongong hosted a variety of familiarisations for the business events sector, including Directions Professional Conference Organisers, Nectare Professional Events and The Fearless Organisation. PCOA Famil Dec 2019

8 Business Events | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | Major Events 9 Major Events DIVERSE PORTFOLIO OF EVENTS WAS ACHIEVED THIS FINANCIAL YEAR DESPITE A FEW MAJOR SPEEDBUMPS ALONG THE WAY.

Tribal Clash

The major events world for this financial year started A foray into a non-traditional sector – supporting with a bang and ended with a whimper, thanks to a the appearance of celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott in global pandemic. Nonetheless, a diverse portfolio was Wollongong for his show My Market Menu – achieved achieved and some exciting new events were introduced significant reach, with the program topping the SBS ratings to Wollongong before shutdowns occurred. the week it went to air.

The biggest new event secured was the Australian Economic impact for the financial year reached Motorcycle Festival, held over three days in November and $26.75 million before the pandemic hit, resulting in the attended by 18,000 participants. This was complemented cancellation of events such as Crossfit Down Under, by 11,300 at the Australian Supercross Championships Spiegeltent and the Wollongong Triathlon Festival. Our that weekend. Given this festival has alternated between immediate goal is to reschedule 75% of the major events Sydney and Melbourne every year, it was a coup to secure it portfolio. for Wollongong and we hope it returns. While a legacy project was not completed during the year The first ever Super Rugby matches were held at WIN due to long lead times, much work and pending results Stadium just before COVID lockdowns and, similarly, this await in regard to the Cringila Hills precinct and broader is another high-profile piece of content we’re hoping will mountain biking reform for the . return. Destination Wollongong worked closely with Cycling Our goal of multi-year deals was accomplished via Australia in preparation for the 2022 UCI Road World partnerships with Hockey Australia and the fast-growing Championships. This included stakeholder engagement international sporting event, Tribal Clash. International for preferred booking agents, assessing tenders by event coverage was achieved with this event, Super Rugby, operators and negotiating bolt-on national events for Ocean 6 Surf Lifesaving and Supercross. 2022.

Regular events such as Yours and Owls and the Illawarra From an administrative perspective, significant work went Folk Festival continued, while mass participation events into development of the 2021-26 Major Events Strategy, such as the Australian Cross Country Championships and including industry surveys, a revision of priority event Australian Indoor Hockey Championships, hosted over a sectors, the intention to secure another global event over rolling three-week program, delivered strong economic that period, and measures of success that capture broader impact. goals.

8 Business Events | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | Major Events 9 International INTERNATIONALLY AUSTRALIA RATES NUMBER 1 FOR SAFETY AND WORLD CLASS NATURE.

Tourism Australia’s Marketplace SEA Australian Indusry Webinar NSW July 2020

TRADE EVENTS INTERNATIONAL

During the 2019/20 financial year, Destination Wollongong FAMILIARISATIONS held over 185 face-to-face meetings with key Trade and Destination Wollongong hosted 14 Aussie Specialist agents Travel decision makers at the following Trade Events: from USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, • Tourism Australia’s – Australia Market Place Italy and New Zealand. These qualified Aussie Specialists South East Asia held in Malaysia, actively sell Australia as a preferred long-haul destination • Destination NSW’s Focus on China in Sydney to Western travellers with many of them being frontline During Covid-19, Destination Wollongong had the retail agents as well as a mix from wholesale and online opportunity via Tourism Australia South East Asia (SEA) to travel agents. participate in an Aussie Specialist Agent training webinars Through familiarisation visits, the agents have first-hand showcasing NSW experiences. Wollongong and Grand experience with quality Australian tourism products, Pacific Drive products where featured in a webinar to over enhancing their ability to promote and sell Australia. 405 Travel Agents who specialise in selling Australia from South East Asia (SEA) and over 150 Travel Agents in India.

The webinars are in collaboration with key Australian tourism suppliers who have been working in the SEA & Indian markets and the purpose of the training webinars is to; • Provide updates on the latest / new products / Covid-19 practices ensuring safety • Keep Australia top of mind for when the market bounces back • Showcase key destinations, products and experiences to South East Asian (, Malaysia and Indonesian) and Indian Aussie Specialist Agents.

Tourism Australia offered a spot to Destination Wollongong based on eligibility, suitability and recent DNSW SEA trade event participation within the past two years.

Aussie Specialist International Famil

10 International | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | People & Organisation 11 People and Organisation DESTINATION WOLLONGONG CONTINUES TO BE THE EMPLOYER AND BUISNESS PARTNER OF CHOICE, THANKS TO SUPPORTIVE INTERNAL INITIATIVES AND TOP-TIER EXTERNAL PROGRAMS.

Jo Stephan

TEAM MEETINGS STAFF REVIEWS

The year has involved many successful team meetings The Staff Review process was completed for 2019/2020 discussing projects, brainstorming sessions and general and consisted of two meetings throughout the year and a business updates. During the COVID19 restrictions Team Staff Satisfaction Survey. Meetings continued via Zoom and increased in frequency. The initial review focuses on: These frequent meetings united the Team during a very difficult time. • Review of the previous 12 months • Goal setting for the next 6-12 months Some of these meetings and brainstorming sessions • Discussing training and personal development options included: • Addressing any questions or concerns • Website Development • Review of current position description • Brand Launch • Completion of the Staff Satisfaction Survey • Tourism Week The follow up meeting, less formal, targeted: • Reconciliation Action Plan • KPMG Business Support Program • How each staff member was tracking against their • COVID19 Strategy goals • Refocused on targets for the remainder of the year The weekly staff meetings are an open forum for all team • Discussed any new projects that may have arose members to be involved by participating in the discussion and planning of Destination Wollongong’s direction.

Due to COVID19, this year has been unprecedented but overall the Team has remained extremely positive and worked together to support each other and our partners.

10 International | Destination Wollongong Annual Report 2019-2020 | People & Organisation 11 EMPLOYER OF CHOICE

Destination Wollongong continues to strive to be an employer of choice. Focusing on work/life balance, respect, opportunity for growth and development, employee welfare and a collaborative working environment to ensure staff are supported throughout the year.

In 2019/2020 Destination Wollongong; continued to offer an Employee Assistance Program, staff development opportunities, working towards completing their first Reconciliation Action Plan whilst offering a flexible working environment for employees.

Destination Wollongong Team

PARTNERSHIP

The collective investment by 171 financial partners enables us to undertake a range of marketing initiatives which helps drive a direct spend in our region. During 2019/20 we had 20 new partners joining the membership program, generating in total $104,333.

Destination Wollongong held two partner functions, and a brand workshop to launch and promote ‘Wollongong Press Play’ giving our partners the insight, knowledge and networking opportunities to promote the new brand though their products and business.

During this financial year and these unprecedented times, Destination Wollongong continued to work closely with all tourism and business partners to support them through the unforeseen challenges that our city and region experienced.

Destination Wollongong partnered with KMPG to create a ‘Visitor Economy Support Program’ which our tourism partners had the opportunity to leverage with financial/ business advice.

To continue to support our partners, Destination Wollongong extended an additional 6 months FREE partnership to the partnership program for 2020/21 and updated our partnership partner prospectus to suit the current climate for the tourism industry.

Partner Function and Workshop

12 People & Organisation | Destination Wollongong Waterbike stunt at Wollongong Harbour with Robbie Maddison during the Tourism Week breakfast

TOURISM WEEK 2019

The second Tourism Week of this era was held in 2019, from 1 to 9 November 2019, again using the slogan - ‘Tourism – Everyone’s Business’.

The week coincided with the launch of the new Destination Wollongong ‘Press Play’ branding and included a launch at the WEC and a Branding Workshop with our partners. An Indigenous Tourism Workshop was held at the Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation and was very successful in engaging with ATSI tourism providers.

During the week, Tourism Accommodation Australia hosted a local General Managers’ lunch and Skydive celebrated their 21st anniversary.

The week culminated on the Friday with a Symposium, Tourism Week Breakfast Function featuring John O’Sullivan speaking to an audience of decision-makers and partners and a cross-promotion with Robbie Maddison of the Supercross event that was staged, that weekend, at WIN Stadium.

Around the region – partners engaged with the week, presenting special events as promotions of tourism attractions and accommodation.

Extensive media coverage occurred during the week, including an impressive wrap-around the Illawarra Mercury and a great deal of digital media coverage.

Not only did the week succeed in celebrating the benefits of tourism to the Wollongong, Illawarra and NSW economy and employment numbers, the week also reinforced the importance of a healthy visitor economy and a fuller appreciation of ‘Visitors’, including leisure, business, sport, cultural, events and visiting friends and relatives.

Tourism Week Breakfast Function interview with racing champion Troy Bayliss

Annual Report 2019-2020 | People & Organisation 13 Gumurra Cultural Day

MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING

Destination Wollongong continues to engage with the During 2019/20, the MOU’s produced activity-of-note with community by establishing mutually beneficial Memoranda the following organisations: of Understanding with significant local community groups. • Cancer Council NSW Southern Region The MOU’s motivate the two organisations to work • Disability Trust together on various projects that benefit the City and the • Gumaraa Region. • Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation The organisations that DW have relationships are varied • IRT but all provide significant benefits to the area and by • Rotary Club of Wollongong creating co-operative projects together – valuable • Rotary Club of Illawarra Sunrise synergies are generated. • Southern Youth and Family Services • Flagstaff Group

STATISTICS

The tables below relate to the number of visitors, nights and expenditure for the total international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors to Sydney Surrounds and South Destination Network year ending March 2020.

Total Overnight Visitors Year ended March 2019 Year ended March 2020 VISITORS (‘000) 3,848 4,034

NIGHTS (‘000) 12,713 13,167

EXPENDITURE (M) $1,773 $1,889

Domestic Day Visitors Year ended March 2019 Year ended March 2020 VISITORS (‘000) 7,772 8,847

EXPENDITURE (M) $723 $804

Total Overnight & Day Trip Visitors Year ended March 2019 Year ended March 2020 VISITORS (‘000) 11,620 12,881

NIGHTS (‘000) 12,713 13,167

EXPENDITURE (M) $2,495 $2,693

Source: Tourism Research Australia (TRA)’s International Visitor Survey and National Visitors Survey via Destination NSW. Note: Figures reported for year ended March 2019 and June 2020 are for Sydney Surrounds and South Destination Network.

14 People & Organisation | Destination Wollongong Visitor Information Centres SOUTHERN GATEWAY CENTRE BULLI CONTINUES TO MAINTAIN A LEVEL 1 AVIC ACCREDITATION

Southern Getaway Centre View

OUR VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES

Wollongong Visitor Information Centre operates within the Southern Gateway Centre Bulli Tops 7 days a week 9am to 5pm, and continues to maintain a Level 1 AVIC accreditation.

Annual Report 2019-2020 | Visitor Information Centres 15 KEY OPERATIONAL INITIATIVES

Team Activities The significant impact of the 2019/ 20 summer bushfires & COVID-19 reflected in the decreased visitor numbers to our Centres compared to previous years. During COVID-19 our Visitor Information Centres ceased face to face operations from March - June but continued to maintain an online presence with a committed approach to maintaining strong relationships with our Partners and adjoining Tourism bodies.

During this period, we took the opportunity to review our Level 1 Visitor Information Centre at the Southern Gateway Centre and the operations. This included a staged approach to investment in its display, sales and guest facilities, external organisational relationships and activation. All of the suggested actions are designed to maximise the visitor experience and ensure the ongoing relevance of this venue.

An ongoing future development of the Centre will continue, as tourism returns to normal.

Visitor numbers to our Visitor Information Centres; • 30K SGC

Provided visitor information and a range of specialised responses; • 2,700 Phone call enquiries • 1,700 Email enquiries Southern Gateway Centre Audit & Monthly Reports for the AVIC Network continued through to March’ 20, > Continued monthly Zoom meetings

Dee Kramer

16 Visitor Information Centres | Destination Wollongong Reconciliation Action Plan

Platypus Dreamings - Artist Richard Campbell

Aware of the importance of engaging with this region’s Despite the very real COVID19 challenges, achievements First Peoples and encouraging indigenous tourism activity, so far include: Destination Wollongong engaged with Reconciliation • Developed an Aboriginal Traineeship proposal – that Australia to prepare, have accepted and deliver its first will be considered for implementation post COVID19. formal Reconciliation Action Plan. • Celebrated National Reconciliation Week, with A Reconciliation Action Working Group was established, a number of important initiatives – including a including management and partner representation – and Reconciliation video that has enjoyed extensive with an Aboriginal elder and Aboriginal staff members on coverage. the group. The RAWG met monthly and was instrumental in • Engaged closely with ATSI groups and organisations co-ordinating activities and events this year. involved in reconciliation. • Planned DW Cultural Awareness Training for staff, that occurred in September 2020. • Worked with DPC and IWAAC on an Aboriginal Tourism Business Development project. • Implemented various strategic projects – including a Reconciliation Business Plan, Anti-Racism Policy improvements and a Respect protocol. • Initiated Acknowledgement of Country signage at various locations - including the Information Centre, administration offices and on the motor vehicle. • Ensured that printed collateral and social media activity included indigenous acknowledgements.

Destination Wollongong is committed to expanding on this Plan in subsequent years, to ensure the valuable potential achievements of Reconciliation can be fully realised.

Annual Report 2019-2020 | Reconciliation Action Plan 17 Financial Report

WOLLONGONG CITY OF INNOVATION LIMITED TRADING AS DESTINATION WOLLONGONG

ABN 83 002 291 590

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35 54 Financial Report | Destination Wollongong WOLLONGONG CITY OF INNOVATION LIMITED ABN 83 002 291 590

36 Annual Report 2019-2020 | Financial Report 55 37 56 Financial Report | Destination Wollongong 38 Annual Report 2019-2020 | Financial Report 57 39 58 Financial Report | Destination Wollongong Destination Wollongong Partners for 2019/2020

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