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Pokolbin & District Vignerons Association Inc.
Incorporated in New South Wales under the Associations Incorporation Act, 1984. Incorporation No: INC9877186
PO Box 180, Cessnock, NSW 2325
exec@pdva.com.au www.pdva.com.au
4th March 2002
Dear Vigneron or Tourism Operator,
Please read this important newsletter and for more information visit our web site www.pdva.com.au
We are writing to introduce a new initiative to promote and market wines made and grown within the Pokolbin & District Pipeline area. Achieving strong recognition of Pokolbin, Hunter Valley is a primary aim of this association.
A number of very successful local associations in the Hunter Valley focus on promoting discrete growing areas. Amongst these are the Broke Fordwich Winegrowers Association (set up with support from the HVVA), the Upper Hunter Vineyard Association and more locally the Lovedale Chamber of Commerce. These groups have had remarkable success in branding and promotion, both with local fairs and special events in Sydney. Wine consumers are now very conscious of and recognise these districts.
It should be clearly understood that we do not intend to replicate or attempt to replace the role of the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association. We intend to work with the HVVA, who are the peak body for the Hunter Region representing the region on relevant issues at State and Federal levels. We also hope to receive support from the HVVA as do the other local associations.
The association is incorporated and a committee has been formed, made up of representatives from all corners of the Pipeline District. The pipeline is commonly referred to as the Pokolbin pipeline so we feel that the association name clearly and best reflects the area being promoted which already has strong recognition in our target markets.
We have a number of exciting initiatives which, going beyond promotion, include combining our purchasing power for winery and vineyard supplies, equipment, freight, chemicals etc. We have also started discussions with a major financial institution for our members’ wines to go on line and sell direct to their corporate and business customers by direct funds transfer.
Those other local associations referred to, whose success we wish to emulate, have extremely high levels of membership and are truly representative of their areas. Therefore it is important that we achieve similarly high membership levels, to assist this we have set minimal membership fees and propose that all marketing, events and promotions will be self-funding on a user-pay basis. There is also an Associate Member category for wine-tourism and accommodation operators.
Your support is required to ensure that this important district has a single, unified, democratic and representative voice. Regarding your voice we have adopted association rules which include one vote only per member regardless of their size or turnover and a joining fee of $25 with annual fees of $75 for Voting Members and $40 for Associate Members. We ask you to return the Membership Application to us by mail; in most cases we will be able to provide a nominator and seconder for you.
An early objective will be to achieve a consensus and democratic resolution of the sub-regional Geographic Indicator which would then allow us to focus on promoting wines made within the district from grapes grown within the district. This will give us good “brand” integrity which is a very marketable commodity as recent medal and trophy wins have shown. There is already a submission before the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation GIC for a Pokolbin subregion; which is supported by this association.
We can assure you that your views are important and will be listened to, we see this association as being member driven and two-way communication is critical so, to that end, we intend to hold monthly member meetings. A Membership Application form and extracts from the Objects of the Association are enclosed. For more information contact an association member some of whom are listed below in alphabetical order or visit the web site.
Regards,
Tish Cecchini, James Davern, Mark Davidson, Jos De Iuliis, Robyn Drayton, Camille Farrell, Brian Gallagher, Gerry Hatton, David Hooke, Joe Jones, Ian Kalnins, Karl Lehtonen, Bob Lusby, John Malloch, Martin McMurray, Ross McDonald, Max Patton, Ken Sloan, Paul Stuart, Glen Thomson, George Tsiros, Carol Wright.
Back to Home Page Objects Application for Membership Assoc. Rules
Labeling conflict Frequently Asked Questions Marketing initiatives etc. Committee