SpringFest 2010

Festival Dates 16th September to 31st October

The Spring Garden Festival will be happening again this year but under the umbrella of SpringFest 2010. DRT have agreed that The Villages of Mt Dandenong should run this event and we will be co ordinating and promoting it with the Garden Festival committee. Funds from last year will be transferred from DRT to The Villages.

Along with the Garden events that took place last year, we will also be incorporating food, wine, art and crafts, family and any other kind of event that businesses would like to host that have a Spring theme.

The Spring/Summer Villages Events Booklet will come out in August and cover all events taking place over Spring and Summer but the SpringFest events that take place between 16th September - 31st October will be the hero events. Likewise on the website, SpringFest will be highlighted as a master event.

In March, the PR students at Swinburne University at Lilydale were briefed on the Festival as a project and will be submitting their work at the end of this month. It will be interesting to see their take on possible PR opportunities and hopefully a programme will emerge that we can put into action. Events are already being submitted to Regional Marketings PR company for any possible PR opportunities in the lead up to the Festival so the sooner we know about your event the sooner you can start getting some exposure for it.

If you would like to include an event in the programme please send details of your event to marketing@villagesofmtdandenong.com.au

We will keep you updated as SpringFest progresses.

General Business

European Wasp Problem - This has been a problem this year. Mark from Cream spoke to the Council and was told it is up to individuals to deal with it themselves. Although over for this year, we should be prepared for it to be a problem next year. A letter will be written to Council and notices shall be put up on eradication of wasps nests. John Ischia from Mangana has kindly offered to see to any nests that anyone finds.

Grant Applications - Grant Applications have gone into The Shire, Bendigo Bank and Woolworths for a variety of marketing projects and we will let you know how we go.

Letters - Letters have been submitted for road sealing in each village, underground power lines and an adjustment to hard rubbish collection times. The hard rubbish was on paths and roadways over the Easter break and looked unsightly.

Bushfire Funding - Discussions are still going on as to where the funding went that was allocated to the Dandenongs last year. We have not yet had a satisfactory answer.

Marketing Update

The Villages Website development is now being finalised and we are ready to start uploading all your information. You will receive on your email a PDF Form requesting various information about your business. Please take the time to consider this carefully in order to maximise your listing. You have a few weeks to get this back to us so you don't need to rush it. If you have a logo, images and videos, please send these as indicated on the form. If you don't have any images, there will be options for you in order to get the most from you listing. Please read the information that accompanies the form as it will be specific to your business type.

Village Offer Cards are ready to go to artwork so if your membership includes this you will also receive an email regarding the supply of information for this and the layout.

The Information Points are also being finalised at the moment so get your DL (210mm x 99mm) flyers/brochures ready for inclusion.

The Spring/Summer Events Booklet is currently in the planning stages and Spring Fest 2010 will be the hero event. It will be a 64 page DL size (in order to be accepted into the Melbourne Visitor Centre) and will feature all events taking place in Spring and Summer with a location map, articles and sections for attractions, accommodation, restaurants and shops. See the Spring Fest 2010 post for more information on how to get involved.

The Villages Map & Visitor Information

The Villages Map is now complete, printed and on it's way out to you. Thank you to everyone for their input and contributions to it. By pulling everyone's ideas together we have a great map to help visitors navigate their way around the mountain to all the wonderful things we have to offer.
All members will receive a supply of copies within the next week so keep an eye out for them. Please put them on display for visitors to pick up and feel free to hand them out.
The maps will also be available for visitors to pick up from locally at SkyHigh, The National Rhododendron Gardens, William Ricketts, Puffing Billy, Grants at Sherbrooke, The Olinda Golf Course and the DRT Information Centre at Upper Ferntree Gully. In Melbourne they will be displayed for pickup at The Melbourne Visitor Centre in Federation Square and also 30 Hotels around Melbourne.
You have been allocated enough copies to last you quite a while but when you run out, please email marketing@villagesofmtdandenong.com.au and we'll send you some more.
Non members can collect copies from Linden Gardens, 1383 Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Mt Dandenong between 8am - 1pm daily.
The next print run will be April next year so if you have any suggestions or come across other things that would be useful on the map please let us know.

Villages Masquerade Ball 2010

The perfect excuse to have a ball... at the Villages Masquerade Ball
On Saturday 12th of June, SkyHigh Mt Dandenong will transform into visions of a Venetian Carnivalé.
Doors Open at 7pm for canapés and welcome drinks, 3 course dinner with matched wine and beer and a host of entertainment featuring The Stiletto Sisters, Cirque Mystique, Chameleon Entertainment, Magician Anthony De Masi and dance the night away to Team X.

Wild Oak have generously donated the canapés and entreés, Pellegrino's the fruit and veg for all courses, Seasons at Cloudehill the desserts, Olinda Cellars the matching wines and beer and SkyHigh the venue, chefs and staff to make this a fantastic night.

All proceeds are going towards promoting the Villages in Melbourne and inter state so please support the businesses that are supporting the ball and also help us by send the email marketing material that was sent to you out to your mailing lists.

Tickets for the night are $99 for members and $120 for non members (booking fees apply). Tables of 12 and 10 are also available to book.
Get your friends or work colleagues together, have fun organising your mask and get dressed up for a fun night.
Go to www.villagesofmtdandenong.com.au for more information and to book your tickets.

If you need a mask you can purchase one from Mangana. If you choose one before this Friday 15th May you will be 30% off so get in there this week.

Luscious Lunches 2010

Luscious Lunches this year held between 10th March - 26th March 2010 drummed up some extra business for the restaurants and cafes that took part. Some restaurants experienced new customers that they hadn't been before and have since come again. With promotion in The Age, the local newspapers, flyers, posters and direct email marketing there was positive feedback to the menus offered by the restaurants and interest in another promotion later in the year as part of Spring Fest 2010. If your restaurant or cafe would like to take part in the next Luscious Lunches just email events@villagesofmtdandenong.com.au and let us know.