Published April 2023

Flinders Island Business e-News 

Furneaux Futures Forum - Island Vision

Do you have an idea or a solution to an Island challenge, maybe you would just like to share your business with the broader community?

During the Furneaux Futures Forum to be held on Flinders Island 7 - 9 June a key aspect of the program is the ‘Island Vision’ sessions where people can present their ideas and stories in an 8-10 minute talk (think TEDx style) and share their expertise and unique perspective on a topic they are passionate about. Topics of talks are totally up to you and could range from fishing and farming to arts and culture, and everything in between.

‘Island Vision’ is a great platform for sharing innovative ideas and inspiring stories. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact in the Furneaux Islands community and beyond. If you're passionate about sharing your ideas and inspiring others, we’d love to have you join in.

Please visit the website or contact us for further information

Jana - fibi.business.assist@gmail.com M: 0400 0917 86 or Sammi Sammi.Gowthorp@flinders.tas.gov.au M: 0421 667 157

Flinders Council, Flinders Island Business Inc (FIBI), and the Van Diemen Project have joined forces to organise the Furneaux Futures Forum designed to encourage entrepreneurship and business development throughout the Furneaux Islands community.

Islander Way Report

The Background Context and Community Engagement report of the Islander Way is now available for feedback.

The aim of the Islander Way project is to firstly, identify tourism-related challenges and issues on Flinders Island and secondly to co-design a future where the hosting of visitors generates positive and regenerative benefits back to the Island, its communities, and the environment, and also contributes to a flourishing local economy.

The next step is to develop a Draft Regenerative Tourism Framework in collaboration with Visitor Northern Tasmania (VNT) and other engaged stakeholders. This will also be made available for public comment.

Please visit the Islander Way website at https://www.islanderway.co/ to download the Report and leave your feedback by April 29 2023.

Image credit: Poem by Elvie Bowman, Lady Barron General Store, Flinders Island, 2021.

How to ensure your business is listed on the new Discover Tasmania App

Tourism Tasmania recently launched the Discover Tasmania app to enhance the on-ground experience of visitors in Tasmania and locals by helping them discover things to do, events and services relevant to their location and interests. 

The Discover Tasmania app enables you to widely advertise your Tasmanian business at no cost. To display your business, event, or service on the Discover Tasmania App, all you need to do is to create a free Australian Tourism Data Warehouse profile. If you already have a profile, your business is already listed on the app, ready for users to include your business as a stop on their Tasmanian itinerary.

If you would like support to create your listing, please review the guides and help videos available from Tourism Tasmania, or contact atdw@tourism.tas.gov.au. Alternatively, please phone Tourism Tasmania on (03) 6165 5286 or if you are a FIBI Member, please contact FIBI for assistance info@fibi.org.au

The Discover Tasmania app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free via the Apple App Store and Google Play.

To promote the app via your digital channels Download the industry toolkit.

To find out more visit the Tourism Tasmania corporate website.

Flinders Council 2021-2031 Strategic Plan Review

Flinders Council is reviewing the progress their 2021-2031 Strategic Plan.

Share your insights and perspectives to help Council better understand community needs by completing this short survey to help inform their review of the 2021-2031 Strategic Plan.

Complete the Survey here - the survey will take approx. 10 minutes to complete.

Entries now open for the 2023 WorkSafe Tasmania Awards  

If you have developed a workplace health and wellbeing initiative, an injury management system or created an innovative work health and safety solution, the 2023 WorkSafe Tasmania Awards are your opportunity to be recognised.

The Awards are open to Tasmanian businesses, organisations and individuals that are leading the way in workplace health, safety and wellbeing, with the following nine categories to choose from:

• Excellence in work health and safety systems
• Excellence in implementing a work health and safety solution
• Excellence in work health and safety culture
• Excellence in contributions to work health and safety
• Excellence achieved by a health and safety representative
• Excellence in injury management
• Excellence in an individual’s contribution to injury management
• Excellence in a workplace health and wellbeing initiative
• Leadership Excellence Award.

Entries close 11.59pm, Wednesday 10 May 2023.

Finalists and winners will be announced at a dinner presentation during WorkSafe Month in Hobart on Friday 3 November 2023 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor. 

For more information and to enter, visit WorkSafe Tasmania or call 1300 366 322.

Tasmanian Survey of Business Expectations 2023 Q1

This quarterly survey is administered by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry with support from the Tasmanian Government. As a long-running survey, results will be used to identify trends and help inform planning and support options for businesses. 

Complete the survey here before it closes.

How to get involved - Off Season

With the Off Season campaign now live, it's time to promote your Off Season offer. Find out how by downloading the Amplify Your Offer industry toolkit 

It is important that your Off Season offer is displayed on your website/booking platform. If you require assistance with this, Digital Ready is offering free 1 hour coaching sessions. Book your session here. 

Haven't created an Off Season offer yet?

There's still time to get involved and leverage the Off Season marketing campaign. You can add an offer to your ATDW profile anytime until the end of the Off Season (August). Visit the Tourism Tasmania website to find out how.

Employee Contracts

What do you need to do? First time employing someone? 

If you are not sure, Fairwork Australia has a handy on-line tool to use to create a contract. 

Also, FIBI has mentors to consult, to help you get it right. Please contact FIBi for further information info@fibi.org.au

How prepared are you for leaving your business?

Many people in business think they are invincible or will die in/on the job.

Having a plan in place for your business not only takes the hassle out for those left behind, but actually comes as a relief to many. 

They can now look forward knowing that if they are seriously sick or need to step back, they have a plan in place.

There are many issues to think about not only about what to do with the business but what about your personal financial situation.

If you need further advice talk to your accountant or contact FIBI.

That Furneaux Feeling

That Furneaux Feeling

"To access the best of the Furneaux Islands, however, you need a whole extra layer of local knowledge, and that takes time and earned trust. I try to be worthy of this place by moving slowly, listening to the human and other inhabitants, and giving blood to the granite and insects who demand an offering. I am thankful for the scratches and bites, for hopefully they mark me as one who is prepared to sacrifice something to be part of this, one who moves on island time."

Beautifully written article in the Forty South magazine by writer, poet and photographer Sonia Strong. Read the full article here.

*Image credit: "Storm Force, Flinders Island". Photo by Craig Smith.

How Flinders Island residents developed a taste for mutton bird, or shearwaters, a meat that tastes like a mix of seafood and chicken

"Like an eel on legs - Flinders Island residents love to eat mutton birds" ABC story by Mim Hook and Lucie Cutting. Watch here.

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FIBI acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we reside today, the palawa people of the trawulwai Nation, and recognise their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture of the islands. We pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging.