"The Mirror" publishes own home page
"The Mirror" now featured on the World Wide Web following the publication of its own home page.
Located at www.promaccom/themirror the home page is headed by the familiar "Mirror" masthead and includes information about the newspaper itself as well as about its parent firm South Gippsland Publishing Company Pty Ltd.
Proprietors Robert and Jenny Best commissioned their computer systems manager, Foster web developer John Todd to create "The Mirror's" home page.
"First John helped to upgrade and to network the company's computer system and then he got us online with our own email address.
"Now 'The Mirror' appears not only in local newsagents and general stores each week but also on the Internet, a very exciting step forward!"
The home page includes colour images of the "The Mirror's" Station Road office, and of its staff members.
Links take users to other pages that detail the newspaper's circulation and its advertising rates as well as the commercial printing services offered by the company.
The page includes an email form that clients can use to forward copy, news tips, letters to the editor and sports results, to lodge advertising and to arrange printing jobs.
As time goes by, the front-page story and main photograph of the current edition of "The Mirror" as well as access to that week's classified advertising will also be available online.
The home page is indicative of the huge changes technology has brought to newspaper production.
"Fifteen years ago "The Mirror" and all printing jobs were set in hot metal using a Linotype machine, a method which has been used for about 100 years," Robert said.
"Now the whole company is substantially computerised, with all copy set up electronically as are the accounts.
"Pages and printing jobs are made up either on the computer or by using traditional cut-and-paste composing techniques.
"South Gippsland Publishing Company Pty Ltd has become more technological during the past decade-and-a-half and first an email address and then a home page both seemed to be logical progressions.
"There are more and more computers out there in the community and we wanted to be able to offer our clients, readers and correspondents the ability to communicate with us electronically too."
"The Mirror's" home page developer John Todd has been "mucking around with computers for more than 20 years.
"I started pulling computers apart and putting them back together again just to find out how they worked," he said.
"I really got into computer technology when the World Wide Web came along and I think I was one of the first South Gippsland customers of the Internet service provider TPG.
"I had established a holiday accommodation business in Foster known as Stockyard Creek Cottages and I could see the value and potential of a web presence as an advertising medium with global access.
"There was no-one around in the local area who could make web pages so I taught myself how to use Hyper Text Markup Language and produced a web site for the cottages," John said.
"I learned a lot about web page design and construction during the development of my own site and, as new programs and techniques have come along, I have updated the site and the way it's made.
"The web site is effective and now more than 30 per cent of bookings come through the Internet.
"Then my partner Kate Fooke started working as the journalist at 'The Mirror' and Robert asked me to look over the existing computers in the office.
"I built Kate a basic computer to write her stories on out of new parts and old bits salvaged from machines that were found dumped in a city rubbish skip.
"Then I networked the four computers in the office, solving the problem of three different operating systems and providing staff with the ability to transfer files between the computers as well as with an internal mail service.
"Robert and Jenny asked me to help set up Internet access and an email address for the company, and soon after that a 'Mirror' home page too.
"Digital imaging, electronic faxing and character recognition are the next electronic refinements to be considered.
"I have made quite a few web pages now for friends and businesses, including 'The Mirror' and also PBE Real Estate Foster," John said.
"My criteria for an effective site is first and foremost a quick download, easy navigation, a pleasing appearance and plenty of succinct information.
"There are many web sites that are full of whizz-bang features such as animations and soundtracks but they take far too long to download and often have no substance behind the first screen.
"People go to the 'Net to find out about things and the faster the information is provided the more effective the site is."
Robert and Jenny can also see the potential of the World Wide Web and they believe "The Mirror" is one of the first country weekly papers in Australia to have its own home page.
"People can find out a lot of what they need to know about 'The Mirror' and South Gippsland Publishing Company Pty Ltd in their own time," they said.
"And they can contact us instantly at a touch of the Send button."
A 20th anniversary and Foster PBE goes online
Foster real estate agent Bruce Richards has celebrated his 20th anniversary in the land sales business with the launch of the PBE Real Estate Foster web site.
The web site at www.pbefoster.com.au includes more than 600 listings, complete with colour images and descriptions of each property as well as panoramas of South Gippsland's townships, coastal areas and farmland.
Designed, constructed and maintained by Foster web developer the site is fast to download from the Internet, is easy to navigate through and provides vendors and purchasers alike with 24-hour electronic access to the local property market.
Bruce said the PBE Real Estate web site was "an exciting development, especially for me considering that not all that long ago I was computer illiterate!
"We really are in the technological age now and I felt that it was important to keep up with the times.
"The web site allows potential clients to go on a tour of the district and to look at colour images of nearly every property the firm has on its books, no matter where in the world they happen to be," he said.
"The site has been up for a week and already it's showing signs of working as more and more enquiries are coming in.
"Many clients come from outside the South Gippsland district and now I am able to refer them to the Internet where they can see for themselves just what's available from their own home or office computer."
Bruce was working as the former Shire of South Gippsland rate collector in 1979 when district agents Russell Allison Real Estate offered him a job at its Foster office and a complete change of career.
He decided to take up the challenge because of the idea of combining going out and about with some office work was very attractive.
Though formal qualifications were unnecessary at the time, Bruce nevertheless took his new profession very seriously and undertook a real estate agent's course by correspondence through the Yallourn College of Technical and Further Education.
During the 1980s the South Gippsland farming community was thriving and the townships in the old shire were going ahead.
There was plenty of work available and demand for homes, farms and turnout blocks was strong.
Bruce went on to work for PBE Real Estate in 1983 and became a director of the PBE network in 1985.
In 1986 he sold his share of the network and, together with his wife Teresa, Bruce bought PBE's Foster branch outright.
Land prices rose steadily until the early 1990s and then remained static for four or five years before dropping as farming commodity prices and the general economy fell.
The number of jobs also declined during this period following changes such as the amalgamation of local government and the withdrawal of services from rural areas.
Bruce said the market is now showing signs of picking up and the demand for beach properties and farmlets is actively growing because of low interest rates, the forthcoming Goods and Services Tax and greater economic confidence.
"The market for farms and houses in South Gippsland is static but holiday houses and small acres are being eagerly sought, particularly by Melbourne buyers," he said.
"During the past week I've been able to refer people to the PBE Real Estate web site and they can see for themselves just what's around.
"Early next year the firm's Main Street office will be fully computerised, allowing us to generate receipts, listings and all of the other documents associated with the real estate business.
"Clients can contact us by email now as well as by telephone, facsimile and in person, and of course through the web site.
"Going online has been a wonderful 20th anniversary achievement and I thank John for his participation in getting PBE Real Estate Foster up on the World Wide Web for everyone to see."
PBE Real Estate Foster principal Bruce Richards is pictured with Foster web developer John Todd who has designed, constructed and will maintain the newly launched the www.pbefoster.com.au web site.
Promaccom - explore South Gippsland via the Internet
Are you planning to explore South Gippsland and want to know just where to stay and what to see and do while you’re there?
Then log on to www.promaccom.com.au and enjoy an easy-to-navigate and quick-to-download exploratory tour of the best South Gippsland has to offer, including the world-famous Wilsons Promontory National Park.
Created and maintained by a team of three resident South Gippslanders, the Promaccom Internet site features plenty of images and accurate information about the entire Promontory Coast district, including an interactive map and touring tips.
Visitors to Promaccom will also find details about more than 30 different accommodation places ranging from self-contained country cottages and bushland retreats right through to ocean beach houses and caravan parks.
They will also be able to see for themselves many of the local towns and renowned beauty spots, like Foster and Fish Creek, the beaches of Waratah Bay, Port Franklin’s fishing fleet and the tall mountain forests of Tarra Bulga National Park.
Promaccom is the brainchild of Foster web developers John Todd and Blair Donaldson, together with journalist Kate Fooke who writes the Promontory Coast district’s weekly newspaper “The Mirror”.
John and Kate also run Stockyard Creek Cottages in Foster and the Sandy Point Beach House, two of the quality accommodation places that may be found at Promaccom.
The site was launched in March of this year and immediately began to rank highly in all of the major search engines, recording more than 1000 hits a month from all over the world.
John, Blair and Kate believe the Internet is the perfect vehicle to promote tourism in any region, as people can see exactly what’s being offered, check availability and book their accommodation or service from the comfort of their own home.
”We have had our own web site in operation for about four years and now we receive about 30 per cent of our bookings directly from the ‘Net,” they said.
“Another 20 per cent of our bookings are secured through directing people who are making inquiries about accommodation in South Gippsland to our site.
“Promaccom is based on the concept of allowing local tourism providers to pool their resources with the common aim of helping the local industry to grow.
“A site like Promaccom allows tourism providers to take effective advantage of the burgeoning use of electronic communications.
“Those taking part in Promaccom have formed a network that not only offers quality services and products to the visiting public but also allows members to confidently refer enquiries to others within the group.
“In return Promaccom members are guaranteed a high profile on the World Wide Web in a site that not only looks great, but is also a comprehensive directory of the entire district.
“The group’s membership fees go into a group advertising pool which is spent on promoting the Promaccom site as a whole.
“Ads have already been placed in publications like the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria’s monthly publication ‘RoyalAuto’, ‘The Age’, the Victorian Government’s ‘Education News’ and AAA Tourism’s ‘Experience Victoria 2000/2001 Guide’ as well as ‘The Mirror’.
“As Promaccom’s membership grows, its advertising will be extended according to what its members want, in order to maximise exposure.
“The Promaccom group offers prospective members a range of options, from free line-listings to display advertisements.
“Especially-designed and -built home pages are available too, with individual web addresses that can also be used by each of the tourism service and accommodation providers as part of their own advertising campaigns.
“The Promaccom site is about us; the people directly involved in tourism here in South Gippsland who have been prepared to venture into the new technology to improve both our own businesses as well as help tourism in general to grow in this district,” John, Blair and Kate said.
“We also offer stand-alone domain name registration and hosting, web page design and construction, technical support and advice, small office computer networking and digital imaging.
“One-on-one training is also available in a wide range of computer applications including word processing, accounting packages, database development, graphics and Internet use,” they said.
“We can provide not only technical but also practical advice and help to both existing and prospective tourism providers in this district and in other regions, too.
“An effective web site similar to Promaccom can be set up very easily and at surprisingly low cost.
“For more information about the Promaccom web site as well as any of the other computer and accommodation advisory services we supply contact us at jtodd@tpgi.com.au or on 5682 2493.”
Promaccom wins Gippsland
Business Awards tourism prize
South Gippsland’s own definitive online travel guide, www.promaccom.com.au has won the 2001 Federation Health Gippsland Business Awards’ tourism prize.
The website was locally designed and built and offers the prospective visitor an information-packed directory to South Gippsland and Wilsons Promontory.
Promaccom was among four finalists chosen for the Awards’ tourism category; the others being Sundowner Lodge Guesthouse and Restaurant at Venus Bay, Broughton Lodge Bed and Breakfast at Jindivick and Déjà vu Bed and Breakfast at Lakes Entrance.
Promaccom principals Kate Fooke and Blair Donaldson received an elegant cast-metal trophy and a framed certificate at the Awards’ presentation evening held in Traralgon on Friday May 4.
Promaccom principals, at right,. Blair Donaldson, centre, and Kate Fooke, left, grin with absolute delight after receiving the 2001 Gippsland Business Award for Tourism.
The tourism category was sponsored by Employment Innovations Victoria.
The evening was attended by more than 400 Gippsland businesspeople, with Victorian Small Business Minister Marsha Thompson as guest speaker.
In accepting the tourism award, John said, “thank you to all of the members of the Promaccom group.
“We believe that the Internet is definitely the way for businesses to go in the future and the Promaccom website is proof of how well it can work.
“We have demonstrated the power that the Internet can give to small businesses, enabling them to mix it with the big boys on a level playing field.”
The Promaccom website includes comprehensive details of many of the district’s accommodation places, as well as pictorial tours of South Gippsland’s townships and beauty spots.
The site was launched in March 2000 and during the past year has received well over 6000 server sessions and about 200,000 hits every month.
| 1.2 million hits plus on Promaccom website |
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Christian Zahra MP Federal Member for McMillan
Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister for Regional Development &
Transport
7 March 2003
PROMACCOM PRAISED IN PARLIAMENT FOR
CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL TOURISM
South and West Gippsland are two of the most physically beautiful places in
Victoria and services such as promaccom.com.au are making an important
contribution to developing the tourism potential of the region, Federal Member
for McMillan Christian Zahra told Federal Parliament yesterday.
Mr Zahra made the remarks during a speech on the Industry, Tourism and Resources
Legislation Amendment Bill 2003
"We have incredibly important natural tourism assets in South Gippsland and West
Gippsland from the mountains up past Noojee all the way down to Wilson's
Promontory in the south."
"These tourism assets are becoming internationally renowned and we are seeing an
increasing number of people coming to our district from overseas," Mr Zahra told
the House.
"This is all good news for us in South and West Gippsland. We recognise the
importance of this industry, and we welcome people to come and visit."
Mr Zahra said that both South and West Gippsland contain a great suite of
tourism businesses and tourism associations, which are helping to develop the
region and create jobs and new opportunities for local people.
"I want to pay tribute to a website which promotes tourism in South Gippsland
promaccom.com.au. It promotes Wilson's Promontory. in particular, but South
Gippsland more generally," Mr Zahra said.
"It provides details in relation to accommodation, the history of the district,
touring maps, information on places to dine and information on guided tours."
"It is an outstanding tourism website and I must admit that I have used it
myself to source accommodation. I found it very easy to use and very practical"
"The people mostly responsible are Kate Fooke and Blair Donaldson. On
behalf of our community I thank those people for putting the site together, for
having the initiative and a bit of dash."
"It is very important for our region to have an Internet presence that provides
excellence in customer service and readability and I say 'well done' to all
involved in doing that."
"As the local Member, let me say how proud I am to represent an area with so
many go-ahead people and so many go-ahead businesses. These people are prepared
to take risks to develop the enormous tourism potential of our region."
