Kaniva Puppet Shop is one of the businesses featured in a series of new short branded films, as part of the “Eat, Stay, Play” campaign, created by Chris Hilder of Cholly Media in collaboration with Helen Hobbs from the Kaniva and District Progress Association.
One of the films featured Julie Finch, who shares her journey to Kaniva and the creation of her European-style Puppet Shop. The film tells how Julie’s passion for puppetry not only sparks children’s imaginations but also serves as a therapeutic tool.
Kaniva and District Progress Association held its Annual General Meeting last Wednesday.
Marlene Carter presented her report as Chairwoman for 2023/24 as follows.
“As my year as Chair has come to an end, I would like to give a report on what has been happening with KDPA in the last 12 months.
Firstly thank you to our secretary Helen. The work you do to continually promote Kaniva; from the accommodation places, the eateries, the Silo Art, the painted sheep, applying for grants, communicating with people involved in tourism over a wide area. (I’m sure there are people who dread hearing your voice on the other end of the phone!) Without you Helen, there would be no KDPA group.
Currently we have 54 members. Thank you to Chris, our treasurer for keeping our financial records up to date, and providing us with lovely nibbles at all our meetings at the motel.
This year, we have run several stands at the Kaniva Show and Christmas Market selling Silo Art Calendars, plus the Easter Market and the Nhill Air Show. (Let me say that no-one gets past our table without Helen speaking to them!) We started our monthly Coffee and Chats and this has been very successful. There was a New Residents BBQ held at the Wetlands (very successful). Decorated Houses with Christmas Lights – Maria and I drive all around the township two times, looking at who has made an effort to put lights up. We give out 30 boxes of chocolates, so that is another trip around town to deliver them. The recipients really seem to appreciate this gesture.
Our main project for the year has been getting the three extra trees done with fairy lights and the coloured up lighting for the windmill. We have been raising money to go towards the fairy lights in the trees by collecting bottles and cans. We have finally got permission from the council, and we have the lights and they should be installed very soon. We applied for a grant for the water tower, (unsuccessful).
We applied for a Telstra grant for projection lighting for the water tower – Telstra withdrew the grant. We have also advocated for uplighting on the Silo Art.
I have driven Helen around town, and up and down every street while she took notes of the vacant building blocks. We held a housing meeting with Wayne Street as part of Wimmera Southern Mallee Development Association.
We thank the West Wimmera Shire Council for their $10K from the Community Support Fund. We thank the Nhill Free Press for their $500 advertising allocation and the LINK Neighbourhood House for their support of our meetings and organisation.
Helen applied for a grant in 2022 for a Percy Leason project – this was unsuccessful. She reapplied this year and was successful for nearly $15K.
Helen and I have spent many hours on the phone, we have had our laughs and even cried, but we keep going. I have received copies or every email she has sent (My computer is full). Helen, on behalf of our members, thank you for your tireless work and being so passionate about tourism. Kaniva would not be known for its Silo Art and painted sheep if it wasn’t for you.”
Office bearers for 2024/ 25 are: Chair – Marlene Carter, Vice Chair Russell Thomas, Secretary Helen Hobbs, Treasurer Russell Thomas, Assistant Treasurer Charlie Ferrier.
This article appeared in the Nhill Free Press & Kaniva Times, 31 July 2024.
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