Friday, September 28, 2012
A Star News Group publication
BUCKETS & BOUQUETS PAGE 12
MAKING MUSIC p17 ON FRIDAY
New campaign to promote retailers
Go local: Geelong Retail Network’s John Sisley, the Independent’s Bernard Perry and Mayor John Mitchell give the campaign their tick of approval. Picture: Tommy Ritchie 87383 retailer, it will also encourage a culture of service excellence in greater Geelong. “Keep reading the Independent in subsequent weeks to find out how to nominate businesses and
to read why everyone should shop local.” Mr Galpin said participation in Shop Local Geelong was free for retailers, with the City and the Independent providing marketing,
advertising and editorial support. Retailers wanting more information should contact the Independent. “Let everyone know you’re committed to service excellence
with Shop Local Geelong,” Mr Galpin said. Shop Local Geelong is also backed by the city’s chamber of commerce and its Geelong Retail Network.
BUDDING Surf Coast councillors are standing to install an entirely new council at the October municipal elections. Torquay candidate David Bell said a “complete change of council” was needed to adequately represent the community’s views after the current councillors failed to support the community’s view on a number of issues. “Local council is meant to be the closest thing to a true representation of democracy,” he said. Winchelsea ward candidate Heather Wellington said there was a “greater opportunity under the new ward system to be better engaged with the community”. “We should be getting more understanding around council table of the smaller communities and what their needs are,” Ms Wellington said. Ms Wellington said the previous council had a “problem” reflecting the needs of the varying communities. The new councillors should demonstrate a high level of “skilled leadership” to effectively manage the shire, she said. Winchelsea candidate Jeff Dans said “finding a balance between supporting coastal towns and rural areas” was important under the ward system. He said issues in Moriac and Winchelsea had “been overlooked” by the current council. Torquay candidate Merrin Wake said the new council needed to “bring the local back into local government”. “Council should be the voice for the community and should stay away from political agendas,” Ms Wake said. Anglesea candidate Margot Ann Smith said the current council had failed to “engage the community in planned projects”. “We should be looking at how we can improve our planning and communication processes for our constituents.”
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A NEW community campaign aims to reinvigorate Geelong’s retail sector while encouraging excellence in service standards. Shop Local Geelong will tell shoppers why they should support the city’s retailers while awarding and recognising them for outstanding customer service. The Independent and City of Greater Geelong have joined forces to launch the campaign, covering all the municipality. Independent managing editor Tony Galpin said Shop Local Geelong aimed to help retailers deal with the dual challenge of online competition and a generally flat economic cycle. “It’s no secret many traders are finding business conditions tough at the moment. We thought it was the right time for a campaign telling shoppers about the advantages of dealing with their local retailers,” Mr Galpin said. “It’s all about face-to-face customer service, after-sales support, value and supporting the local businesses creating a vibrant retail sector in Geelong. “The retail sector is our largest employer, too, so Shop Local Geelong is also about jobs.” Mr Galpin said the campaign would feature a monthly Independent Shop Local Customer Service Award. “As well as recognition with a story and picture in the Independent, the winner will receive a $1000 advertising package combing the region’s highest circulating newspaper and its EasyFinder business directory. “While the award will be welcome acknowledgement for any
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