Business Expansion Planning + Grant
Heifer Station
Heifer Station, NSW
A winery in the Orange region west of Sydney, Heifer Station is looking to continue its recent growth to capitalise on opportunities arising from increased visitation to the region, and increasing consumer interest and participation in food and wine tourism experiences.
Heifer Station aims to expand its cellar door to triple its current capacity; develop infrastructure to be able to host large outdoor music events, and build two luxury cottages – a significant investment.
Project purpose
The objectives of the planned expansion are:
Increase capacity by 200% to enable the business to service growing visitor numbers to the region
Increase wine sales
Enhance the region’s profile as a leading food and wine destination.
Increase overnight stays and expenditure in the region
Attract new visitor markets to the area including events, corporate groups, and domestic High Value Travellers, international traveller groups and special interest markets
Increase local employment
Project overview
Heifer Station contracted Tilma Group to assist with securing grant funding for components of the expansion. Tilma Group worked closely with Heifer Station to develop the business case and project plan for these developments to assist with grant applications.
The project plan covers:
Project scope: description/objectives/elements/location
Project budget: costs/time frame/milestones
Project management: project proponent/project management team/stakeholders/ implementation methodology/regulatory approvals/communications strategy
Risk management
Procurement
Evaluation/compliance/audit
The business case covers:
Project concept
Project proponent to establish credibility to deliver project and sustain it as a successful business.
Project location
Project rationale
Project elements
Economic benefits
Strategic and marketing benefits
Social benefits
Value for money
Project support
Financial projections
Project delivery
The largest challenge with this project has been changes with the funding program mid-way through, impacting on the process and the ability to submit in a timely manner. Working with many varied stakeholders to secure necessary funding means that timelines can be impacted and external influences are heightened.
Consistent and regular communication with stakeholders was critical with this project.
Project outcomes
Heifer Station expects to be able to deliver the following outcomes:
86% increase in visitor numbers
Infrastructure available to attract large events to the region
Over $650,000 injected into the local economy per year from wages, wine making, equipment and supplies
Additional $4m injected into the region from direct expenditure by the business, event organisers and visitors
Creation of 8 new FTE jobs
Additional 150 casual jobs from major events
“Tilma Group have a multi-disciplinary team, all of whom are experts in their field. Their team were able to provide us with very professional funding applications and award submissions, one of which has resulted in us recently being awarded Gold at both the 2019 Regional and NSW Tourism Awards for Tourism Wineries, Distilleries and Breweries. We could not put a price on the significant growth this acknowledgment has created for our business.”
Referee
Michelle Stivens
Owner/Director, Heifer Station
1034 The Escort Way
Borenore NSW 2800
0407 621 150
michelle@heiferstation.com
www.heiferstation.com
Tourism Development Grant
Yarriba Dreaming
Warrijum Spiritual Journey Tour Experiences
Uncle John Long, an elder of the Ugarapul people of the Scenic Rim region in southeast Queensland, and one of the last of his people to have lived in the traditional way, wanted to share his culture via a tour and wellness experience of places that helped tell the story of the warrijum (bunyip), such as a bora ring (spiritual portal) and a birthing place, and with wellness activities such as the use of healing stones, sitting rocks (Indigenous meditation), and spiritual connection to the land.
Project purpose
Uncle John wanted to share his first-hand knowledge and experience of his Indigenous culture with Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike to ensure it would not be lost.
Tilma Group helped Uncle John apply for funding from the Indigenous Tourism Fund to get his tour and cultural activities business launched, and progress his wish to share his culture into reality.
Project overview
The grant application sought funding to support business planning and launch, including
market analysis and product development detailing by a consultant with extensive experience with regional tour businesses
tour guide training
development of marketing assets.
These inputs would help Uncle John develop a commercially viable business (detailed business planning), and provide exceptional visitor experiences (tour guide training).
Project outcomes
Tilma Group was successful at securing the requested amount of $28,000 in unmatched funding for the project. Unfortunately, while the grant application was being assessed, Uncle John passed away, a terrible loss of a beautiful soul. Prior to his passing, Uncle John passed the reins to his grandson Kruze, who had worked alongside Uncle John for years in delivering cultural experiences. The funding body was willing to provide the funding for Kruze to begin the business.
With the funding, Kruze was able to hire Savannah Guides, Australia’s leading tour guide professional development provider. The product development expertise provided by Savannah Guides will set up the tour business in the way that is the most likely to be financially viable into the long term, based on market demand analysis and identification of direct-marketing partnerships (e.g. tapping into existing groups of travellers, such as business event venue partnerships).
Kruze joined Indigenous tourism businesses from across the state at Tourism & Events Queensland's Emerging Indigenous Experiences Field School which provided targeted training to help to elevate their offerings and make sure customers are left with unforgettable memories.
Mt Barney Lodge are now partnering with the new tour business, now called Yarriba Dreaming. Yarriba means walking together.
Referee
Dr Neil Hockey
Kula Services
0427 576 480
neil@kula.org.au
Tourism Award Submission
Spirits of the Red Sand
Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards
Spirits of the Red Sand
Spirits of the Red Sand delivers emotionally-powerful Aboriginal storytelling experiences by bringing history to life in a re-enactment of a true story 'roving theatre'-style across a variety of settings within an historical village, combining history and Aboriginal culture in world-first truth-telling experience.
By day, education and corporate groups are welcomed for interactive cultural education programs with hands-on participation in cultural activities, ancient ceremonies, cultural awareness workshops, and team-building incentives
Project purpose
As tourism award submission reviewers for Queensland Tourism Industry Council in 2019, we were so impressed when we read about Spirit’s heartfelt mission in their submission. Though their passion shone through, we could see gaps in how their submission was written that we knew we could help improve. That year Linda took her family to experience Spirits and was completely blown away by the best tourism experience she’d ever had! We had to help!
Project overview
We convinced Spirits to let us try and help win the recognition their innovative experience deserved by offering a significantly reduced rate for our help.
Using the foundation of Spirits 2019 submission, we dug deep into their business planning, achievements, innovations, motivational drives, and their story to draw out a submission that would tick all the judge’s boxes.
Project outcomes
Watching the awards ceremony livestream from home we leapt with celebration when Spirits won the 2021 Queensland Tourism Award for Aboriginal Tourism ...and then won Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards in early 2022! Such an exciting moment for such deserving innovators!
Now Spirits of the Red Sand’s goal is to be recognised as Australia’s best tourism experience...
““We owe such a huge amount of thanks to you - Kushla for writing the Red Sands story so eloquently and with such passion, it is a true talent! - and Linda for offering your services at a discounted rate. You wonderful ladies have helped Spirits more than you could know.” ”
Referee
Kerryn Collins
Head of Marketing & Business Management
Spirits of the Red Sand
0424 001 477
kerryn@greataustralianexperiences.com
www.spiritsredsand.com