Tourism back on track

TENTERFIELD Shire Council will attempt to bring the Tenterfield and District Visitors Association back on track by appointing a new committee and tourism manager.
The move follows the shock resignation of former tourism manager Jen Gacoigne.
Mrs Cascoigne had been appointed as Tenterfield’s tourism manager for three months this year, before she announced her resignation on 18 April.
Mrs Gascoigne, the wife of council’s director of engineering services Dennis Gascoigne, took the role after former tourism manager Patti Ainsworth passed away.
She was appointed during a time of turmoil for the Tenterfield and District Visitors Association committee, after an annual general meeting was found to have been unconstitutional.
During council’s recent (15 May) general meeting, councillors carried a motion to establish a new lease agreement with TVA including the appointment of a new committee and tourism manager – now to be known as a tourism officer.
The report’s conclusion found council had for many years supported the Tenterfield and District Tourism Association, both through funding and in-kind assistance.
“Despite the difficulties experienced by the TDVA over the past six to nine months, the visitor information centre has remained open seven days per week and a number of very dedicated volunteers have held the operation together to the best of their ability,” the report stated.
“However, this situation cannot continue and for the association to become fully functional its constitution needs to be updated in line with current legislation, a new committee needs to be formed and the tourism manager recruited.
“Provided these steps are taken and scheduled in July 2013, it is recommended that council continues to support the TDVA and work productively and progressively with the association.”
Applications for the position close on Friday, 31 May.