Objectives and Strategies

Outback Calling Ltd; Individuals, Communities and Organisations in the Bush; Supporters of the Outback... Inspiring and Empowering a Vital Outback…Together

A vital outback will require significant investment and a collaborative approach with a myriad of stakeholders. Outback Calling is committed to achieving tangible results to provide a lasting legacy for successive generations. 

KEY OBJECTIVES

  • Catalyst for Community Pride and Drive 
  • Advocate/Voice for the Outback 
  • Innovative/Entrepreneurial 
  • Marketing the Outback 
  • Develop Leaders

STRATEGIES AND PROPOSED INITITIATIVES

Mobilising Grassroots Leadership

A network of competent and committed rural residents forming Regional Advisory Committees: reading the pulse of the outback and recommending outback policies.

A grassroots mechanism for advising, refining and delivering on Outback Calling’s strategy and vision for outback revitalisation.

Key Strategies

  • Create and coordinate committees
  • Regular committee gatherings and Biannual National Conference to unite, envision and equip

A Consistent Voice in Canberra

A voice for the outback: strategic Research and Advocacy presence in Canberra to ensure the nation’s political leaders never see the outback as a constituency they can ignore.

Key Strategies

  • Outback Calling Research and Advocacy Unit based in the Nation’s capital
  • Create a network of representatives from a wide range of organisations with complementary objectives to ‘support’ ‘Outback Calling’s’ unit in Canberra – ie An ‘Outback Alliance’

Online Outback Resource Hub

A one-stop-shop for all things outback: www.outbackcalling.com is being developed to be an invaluable tool for visitors, residents, potential residents and potential investors. The place to go to learn about employment opportunities, education and leadership development, what’s on in the Bush, support in promoting Outback events, planning a trip, potential relocation to rural Australia, recent stories of revitalisation and innovation in the bush, investment opportunities and much more.

Key Strategies

  • Website development - expansion to create a comprehensive portal
  • Website assistant to grow and maintain current information

Positioning the Outback as a Lifestyle Option

Where urban Australians will be encouraged to consider rural regions as a legitimate and attractive lifestyle option. Outback Calling’s Marketing and Lifestyle Expo would promote the positive attributes of life in rural areas such as… community living, growing businesses and quality family time in the bush.

Key Strategies

  • Outback Lifestyle Expo roadshow in capital cities, accompanied by ‘virtual expo’
  • Advertising and Public Relations campaign to encourage a ‘bush’ change
  • Partnerships established to develop and coordinate Roadshows

Showcasing the ‘Best of the Bush’

The ‘Best of the Bush’ put on a national and global stage, highlighting innovation, ingenuity, resources, primary industries etc. A platform to showcase vital issues including water, food, Outback skills and know how – an ‘Outback Exposition’ as never seen before.

Key Strategies

  • Working together with existing organisations and infrastructures and establishing alliances to develop Expos
  • Potential creation of Outback Directories/Journals highlighting stories and case studies of Outback Innovations; Community Revitalisation; Investment Opportunities
  • The establishment of ‘Australian Rural Community Initiative’ Awards

Stimulating and Supporting Entrepreneurship

Budding entrepreneurs identified, coached and resourced to explore new opportunities. Successful innovations will generate employment and invigorate regional communities.

Key Strategies

  • Regional Innovation Awards established
  • Research A) the viability of a Foundation: low interest finance facilities to encourage new business PLUS B) the existence of parallel program that could benefit from an alliance with Outback Calling
  • Program established for regional committees to identify, cultivate and coach/mentor emerging talent

Raising a New Generation of Rural Leaders

Engender ownership among rural youth for the future of the outback. Identify and develop budding leaders who will venture to build business, infrastructure and communities in the bush.

Key Strategies

  • Form alliances with rural leadership organisations to craft an overall leadership development strategy
  • Outback Leadership Awards program researched and developed

Social Networking in the Bush

Create significant connection opportunities for residents of the Bush, and for those wishing to identify with and support the Bush.

Key Strategy

  • Develop an Outback Supporter’s Group/Club offering individuals and organisations networking opportunities, inspiration, camaraderie - identifying with and supporting the Bush

Grey Nomads Giving Back

Ensuring the thousands of skilled, resourced tourists traveling in some 350,000 RVs through the outback every year are not just passing through, but are investing back into the Bush.

http://www.thegreynomads.com.au/featurespages/nomadfever.htm

Key Strategies

  • Feasibility study
  • Strategic partnerships with caravan/motorhome companies and grey nomad clubs