March 2006
Field Day Followed by Vintage Fun
With more than 100 exhibitors expected, a Wine Tasting Marquee and Beer Tent, kids’ fun activities and live music by local winemakers’ band Big Crop, the 2006 Landmark Wine Industry Field Day will be bigger and better than ever.
So far it has attracted exhibitors from around the State and New
Zealand with a number of exciting new technologies that will be shown for the first time in WA.
This is the best opportunity for winemakers, viticulturalists and anyone involved in the wine industry to talk direct to suppliers in one place.
Remember; Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6 at Cowaramup Oval.
Then, don’t forget to celebrate the vintage on Sunday, May 7 at
Vintage Stomp, at Voyager Estate.
Landmark Turns Platinum for Wine Industry
Landmark has proven its
commitment to the Margaret River Wine Industry by being the first to take on the new top tier of commercial membership at Platinum level.
Membership fees are a crucial part of the MRWIA’s funding.
In recognition of this, the
Commercial Membership was
re-structured in 2006 to ensure the businesses that support the
Association get benefits in return.
Landmark Margaret River branch manager Ken Wrigglesworth said taking MRWIA membership was one way of giving something back to the local wine industry.
“We are very committed to the
Margaret River wine industry and all the members associated with this group,” Mr Wrigglesworth said.
“With the opening of our new branch in Margaret River late last year we made a commitment to support and work with local agriculture, education and sporting groups which play such an important part in local communities.”
MRWIA president Ron Fraser said the Association relied on membership fees to assist its work in promoting
Margaret River wines and its behind-the-scenes work in pursuing best practice across the region.
"It is important that corporates who conduct business with wineries and grape growers acknowledge the
necessity of a strong, viable industry association that can be the
representative voice for the wine
industry,’’ Mr Fraser said.
The Value of Sponsorship Support
Like any sustainable business, the MRWIA spends a lot of time number crunching. When planning events, coordinating staff resources, ticking off the wish list of office requirements – everything always comes down to the budget.
When money is needed, one obvious answer is to find a sponsor.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (Business Sponsorship Survey, 1999) found Australian companies paid $466.5 million on sponsorship in 1997. It is likely that figure has significantly increased eight years on.
The brutal fact is, without sponsors, many events and projects would not get off the ground.
In 2005, the MRWIA was boosted by more than $60,000 in sponsorship. That figure merely accounts for financial contributions, so consider all of the Associate Sponsors, who give contra support with free use of
equipment or services.
The dollars soon add up.
While sponsors are generous in their support, their contribution is not completely altruistic.
The ABS study found companies benefited through improved good will, publicity, increased customer
awareness and increased business opportunities or sales.
Let’s face it; no business can
afford to give money away without an appropriate return on investment.
To continue a sponsorship
relationship, the MRWIA must show the arrangement works for both
parties.
This is where the membership must help.
By supporting our sponsors,
members show appreciation for the sponsors’ loyalty to the wine industry, which can carry preferential treatment for members.
It also strengthens the MRWIA’s ability to maintain the arrangement and to seek other corporate
supporters.
With sponsorship, the MRWIA can keep event costs down and invest in future projects that will ultimately
benefit the membership.
Sub Committees Plan for the Future
With planning, environmental and technical issues taking a larger focus for the Margaret River wine industry, the MRWIA has moved to create two new Sub-Committees to properly respond to these issues.
The Technical and Environment
Sub Committee met for the first time in its new form last month, while the
Planning Committee is seeking
members, under chair Peter Wood.
Mr Wood said the Sub Committees were split because there were too many issues on the table, and all required careful investigation.
The Sub Committees play an important role in the Association’s work behind the scenes in ensuring quality and future sustainability of the Margaret River Wine Region.
``The benefits are not immediately tangible but it’s vital the Association has input into things like regulating
chemical use, buffer policies, water use,’’ Mr Wood said.
Technical Issues Under the Spotlight 
According to chair Curtin University A/Prof Mark Gibberd, the new
Technical and Environment Sub Committee will focus on a small number of critical issues.
“We need two to three strategic
issues to focus on, and the Wine Waste project will be one of those,’’ he said.
With Dr Gibberd’s presence on the Wine Industry Association of WA’s
technical committee, communication and cooperation between the two
associations should improve.
"It will help Margaret River keep its finger on the pulse of what is
happening at state and national levels,’’ Dr Gibberd said.
"Ideas germinated here will be
exposed to constructive criticism and subsequently gain support at state level.’’
Current Sub-Committee members are Murray Edmonds (Evans & Tate), Bruce Pearse (Vasse Felix), Tony Proffitt (AHA Viticulture), Leah Clearwater (AHA
Viticulture), Tom Wisdon (Selwyn), Dave Rankin (Vinepower) and Peter Wood (Stella Bella).
Nominations are welcome,
particularly from those with a technical winemaking role to ensure the group has skills in both viticulture and
oenology.
Planning Input to Protect Vines
Planning issues are a hot topic in Margaret River and they need
dedicated input, according to chair Peter Wood.
Citing examples such as the Augusta-Margaret River District Town Planning Scheme, Townsite Expansion policy and Urban Rural Interface, Mr Wood said members’ legitimate vineyard operations need to be protected against non-rural pursuits.
“I don’t think it’s too strong to say the future of agriculture is under threat by urban expansion and people coming here for ‘lifestyle’,’’ he said.
“We have a young wine industry and the future must be protected through strategic planning. Planning issues have cost too many producers a lot of money but with positive dialogue with Local Government, the Association can help streamline planning processes.’’
Mr Wood is keen to hear from
potential sub-committee members who have an
interest in planning
issues, and willing to network with the broader membership to ensure all opinions are
examined.
The New Margaret River Wine TravelClub
Planning holidays or traveling to wine events will be easier with the best deals on offer through the new Margaret River Wine TravelClub.
The Margaret River Wine Industry
Association and Travellers Choice have formed this exciting alliance, which was launched at Flutes last month.
With free membership to the Margaret River Wine TravelClub, MRWIA members will be offered exclusive travel offers, assistance in planning their travel itinerary as well as specialised group touring.
As part of the alliance,Travellers Choice will contribute to the MRWIA a percentage of its commission, ensuring a continual income stream to help with the marketing and operations of the Association.
To strengthen its commitment,
Travellers Choice is now also a
Silver Commercial Member.
MRWIA president Ron Fraser said the alliance was a great example of two industries working
cooperatively to benefit all
involved.
“Not only will our members be able to plan their holidays with expert assistance and offers, but we can work with Travellers Choice to secure the best packages for
travel to events such as Wine
Australia 2006 in Sydney,’’ Mr
Fraser said.
Travellers Choice General Manager Member & Marketing Services, Lyn Le
Provost said the benefit of this
approach was the ability to provide very targeted travel offers.
