NEWS UPDATE 2025/26:
Kaniva & District Progress Association office bearers:
President: Leah Gordon
Vice President: Liz Savannah
Secretary: Courtenay Wallis
Assistant Secretary: Teagan Chaston
Treasurer: Jenny Goodwin
Committee Members: Maria Ahilaras, Katrina and Glenn Smith.
KDPA thank everyone who has supported them with a support membership throughout 2024/25. KDPA is 100% volunteer run and relies on membership subs of $30 per year. 

Wiregrass Heritage Trail Project
In 2024, KDPA was awarded just under $15,000 for the Wiregrass Heritage Trail project. These funds will allow us to bring to life a mural, walking trail and permanent exhibition of Percy Leason's cartoons, offering locals and visitors a glimpse into Australia's social history.

Kaniva Water Tower Project
KDPA has applied for funding with Tiny Towns in both 2023 and 2024 for funding to paint the Water Tower. Unfortunately both applications were unsuccessful. This exciting project aims to share the story of the underground water systems and the Territory Water Aquifer, connecting the narrative of our region’s landscape, big windmill and the natural history of the Big and Little Desert National Parks.

Small Town. Big Art. Big Stories. 
Kaniva and District Progress Association is presently seeking funding to activate the eastern end of Commercial St. Back in 2020, as part of KDPA's strategic plan, we identified several walls that would be suitable for murals, so far all three applications have been unsuccessful, but we are continuing to lodge applications. Ultimately, two prominent blank walls at the eastern end of Commercial Street were selected for their ability to increase foot traffic along the street. Full details Mural Project

​About us
Kaniva and District Progress Association endeavours to further the success of business and tourism. It is largely known for its social media promotion, which aims to target the Melbourne and Adelaide market through strategic destination marketing. Although the outside dollar is highly valued and depended on by several of the Commercial Street businesses, the greater goal through the promotion of a positive and cohesive community, is attracting investment into businesses and attracting new participatory residents and skilled workers. KDPA also provide promotional support to businesses in what continues to be turbulent times along with advocating as a united voice for a variety of issues. The organisation provides a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration. In addition, KDPA provide promotional support to volunteer community organisations and celebrate the heritage and agricultural stories of our area.

KDPA statement of purpose;

• To provide a platform for community consultation and promotion of Kaniva & District.
• To further the success of all business and tourism in Kaniva and District.
• Advocating to West Wimmera Shire Council in the development of improved amenities and liveability.
• To facilitate community development and encourage a feeling of civic pride.

Support membership
Please support KDPA with a support membership, valid from 1/7 - 30/6 annually. Fill out the form below and make your payment by direct deposit to: Kaniva & District Progress & Action Association BSB 083088 Acc 588327484

About KDPA
Kaniva & District Progress Association were named as West Wimmera Shire Council, Australia Day 2020, Community Group of the Year. In 2023, we had over 60 members which is made up of a cross section of retail businesses, tourism businesses, agri-businesses, trades, community groups and residents. We undertake a variety of community partnership projects and work to promote all community events, services, businesses and volunteer opportunities. Your involvement can help shape Kaniva’s liveability. Just five meetings a year with subcommittees to help move ideas forward! 

We have several projects that we need assistance with:

• Executive positions.
• Writing grant applications, scoping projects and quotes.
• Content creation, photography and video for print and digital media. 
• Creating games and tours for the Actionbound App.
• Decorating the town for Christmas and for special events.
• Dropping off brochures to neighbouring information centres and local visitor hotspots.

​If you would like to help with any of the above, we'd love you to be part of our association. We also welcome any suggestions for guest speakers as part of our general or public meetings. 

History
​Kaniva and District Progress Association was formed by the local business people in 1911. It was responsible for many initiatives including getting the Post Office, Kaniva Caravan Park development and the Memorial Swimming Pool. Other initiatives included a day passenger train, a tree plantation at the western end of town and the formation of the Kaniva Ambulance, Kaniva is fittingly described by historians of the day as the 'self-help town'. 
​
The Progress Association has undergone many name changes, but has been operating in its present format for the last 24 years. In 1999 West Wimmera Shire Council assisted 2 town groups, Kaniva and District Advancement Committee and Kaniva Traders and Promotions Association to merge, creating a town progress association. Both groups had strong numbers and the Beautification Committee had wound up after finishing the main street re-development. WWSC Manager of Economic Development Bill Barber, assisted to write a statement of purpose and help to create a new group that would be incorporated with public liability insurance, that could access funding and act as an umbrella group for community groups. At the same time the group would build community capacity, help shape the future direction of the town and raise issues through a single united voice. Over the years, the group looked at all issues that affected the town including doctor shortages, street lighting, footpaths, maintaining vital services and running ‘Meet the Candidates’ forums. Later on Manager of Community and Economic Development Mary-Lu Amos worked collaboratively with KDPA, providing advice and support to the group for many years, both at formal and informal meetings.

Watch the video below to hear former Kaniva Shire Councilor Rod Coutts talk about the inspirational and holistic community collaboration behind the main street re-development of the eighties.

Past Chairs of KDPA and key projects:
At the first meeting held on 13th April 1999, Joan Thomas took on the initial role of chair, with Lyn Powell taking on the position after the AGM was held in the same year.  Each chair has helped to set the direction of the group. Here are the Chairs and years served with KDPA’s key project achievements during the term.

• Lyn Powell - 1999. The millennium party, Centenary of Federation event, signage, Beaufort to the Border Western Highway Enhancement project, investigating Kaniva Caravan Park upgrades.

 

• Judy Wheaton - 2002. The group focussed on a supportive role for community groups and the creation of the WINK community calendar flyer.

 

• Rohan Brennan - 2004. The group assumed the responsibility for the running of the Kaniva Car Show, investment into the Kaniva Community Roadhouse. The group applied unsuccessfully for highway signage and Kaniva Caravan Park upgrades.

 

• Lyn Powell - 2006. Town Entrances with Kaniva College, Merging the Kaniva Tourism Group, Encouraging new businesses, See Australia Touchscreen Kiosk.

 

• Allan Heslop - 2008. Improvements to the Information Centre, brochure racks, website, Information Centre exterior signage, Public Internet Access computer kiosks. Maddern St picnic area upgrade, shade structures, jumping castle, main street banners, nativity scene, motel and hospitality folders, postcards.

 

• Kelvin Moar - 2010. Garage Sale, Shoe Collection display cabinets, Brochure storage & display units, Information Centre interior interpretive panels, Touchscreen, Kaniva weather website, Guest Speakers, Christmas bows, Sheep Art support.

 

• Robert Niehus - 2013. Community consultation, Budget and advocacy plan. Information panels and signage for the Information Centre.

 

• Lyn Powell - 2014. Instigating the re-development of the Kaniva Wetlands and Fauna Park. Bird and orchid paintings, advocating for Windmill garden upgrades and KCR pavement markings. Tourism famille of West Wimmera, Silo Art expression of interest.

 

• The group went into caretaker mode in 2016 when no office bearers were found. 

 

• Julie Finch - 2018. Pick My Project -  Silo Art Trail  for Kaniva and Serviceton, Linking the main street to the Cultural & Tourism Project. Sheep Art Trail, New street banners, Re-designed Christmas Bows & Spirit of Christmas display.

 

• Kelvin Moar - 2020. Destination Marketing Plan and new logo re-brand, Kaniva Konnection project for digital connectivity including new touchscreen, website, walking tours & games, QR codes, Easter Bonnet Parade, Kaniva Optimism covid recovery project. ‘My idea is’ consultation. Lobbying WWSC for Caravan Park upgrade.

 

• Charlie Ferrier - 2021. Re-evaluating and analysis of KDPA statement of purpose and activities. Contributing group submissions to various council plans/ strategies including Tourism, Business and Economic development, Sport and Recreation, Digital Realities, WMT marketing. Projects included solar tree lights, ‘Eat, Stay, Play’ covid recovery project including ATDW listings, Visit Victoria digital marketing training, Sheep Art Restoration & Repair covid recovery project, Living Local project building on Love Where You Live campaign. Membership drive. Steampunk, Henley on Lake Wallace, Coronation Sheep Art promotion, Welcome BBQ.

 

• Marlene Carter - 2023. Coffee and chat, fairy lighting in main street plus windmill corner uplighting, Maddern St railway pedestrian crossing, Percy Leason Wiregrass project. 

• Leah Gordon - 2025.

Of course, no group would be able to exist without the important roles of Secretary and Treasurer. Since 1999, many have given significant hours of voluntary service over many years.Secretaries over that time have included Judy Wheaton, Darren Maddern, Andrew Taylor, Ian Smith and Helen Hobbs. Treasurers have included Les Wheaton, Andrew Taylor, Wimke Dodson, Judi Rabon, Nicole Winking, Russell Thomas. 

Ongoing projects

• Digital marketing commencing: Kaniva website 2005, Youtube 2008, Facebook 2010, Twitter 2012, Instagram in 2013
• Coordinated and developed many PR flyers and signage projects over the years.
• Implementing several community consultations, 'Meet the Candidate' forums, Politician visits, ABC broadcasts and general media stories.
• Advocating to federal, state and local government for a variety of issues that impact the town and district.
• Town decorating projects for Christmas and Easter.
• Supplying brochures to visitor hot spots.

Privacy Policy
We are a voluntary organisation and do not collect data, except for the membership details as a requirement of being an incorporated body. Our website however does use third party apps to function but although that data is statistically analysed, it is not stored by Kaniva and District Progress Association. Those apps include; Weebly, Tawkto, Open Weather, Youtube, Vimeo, Actionbound, TripAdvisor, Google, Scribd, Contact form, Direct registration, Social Media Stream.

Progress Association formed 1911
A couple of interesting historical notes from this newspaper article found below on Friday 10th February 1911:

• This is the founding meeting of the Kaniva Progress Association in February 1911.
• Percy Leason's father, J. C. Leason, was elected the Association's first Secretary and Treasurer.
• One of the Association's first campaigns was lobbying for a new Post Office.
• Another major priority was securing a town water supply, an issue that would remain important in Kaniva for many years.
• The association was already advocating for strategic public land on top of the hill to be reserved for future water infrastructure.

KANIVA PROGRESS ASSOCIATION FORMED

A meeting convened by Mr Bond was held in the Mechanics' Institute on Monday last for the purpose of forming a Progress Association, a fair number being present. Mr Bond said the idea of the meeting was to form a Progress Association, which would be a great benefit in many ways at the present time. Personally, it would be a great help to him at Council meetings. Often things in the town were required, and if a deputation came forward from such an association to wait upon the Council, it would make matters easier. In the past, the work had been left to a few individuals. They were not as young as they used to be, and he thought the time was now ripe for the formation of such an association, which would be an advantage to the town as a whole.
Mr Ord was then voted to the chair and said they had all heard Mr Bond's remarks. He believed the association would be beneficial in many ways, both public and private. Mr Harris moved that a Progress Association be formed at Kaniva. The motion was seconded by Mr J. C. Leason and carried. Mr Bond then moved that all present form a committee, with power to add to their number. The motion was seconded by Mr Powell and carried.

The election of officers then took place and resulted as follows:
President: Mr Maynard Ord
Secretary and Treasurer: Mr J. C. Leason
The annual subscription was fixed at one shilling on the motion of Messrs Harris and Leason.

General Business
Mr Bond spoke of the Post Office movement. A motion had already been carried at the Council table that application be made for a new Post Office, and he thought a similar application should be made by the Association. He moved that application be made to the Commonwealth Postal Department for a new Post Office. The motion was seconded by Mr Dent and carried.

Mr Harris said there had been much discussion regarding a town water supply. He thought an estimate should be obtained and that representations should be made to the Water Trust regarding the use of the well and tanks. An Urban Water Trust should be formed and the matter properly investigated. A water supply was very necessary and would be a great advantage to the town. Whatever had to be paid in rates would be offset by reduced insurance costs. The water was available; what was needed was adequate storage and distribution. If a deputation waited upon the Council, no doubt something could be achieved. If access to the existing well could not be obtained, it would be necessary to sink one of their own on top of the hill. After discussion, it was decided on the motion of Messrs Tolliday and Hume that the President, together with Messrs Bond, Harris and the Secretary, form a sub-committee to investigate the matter and report to the next meeting. Mr Harris also referred to the allotments on the hill that had been sold to Mr Brooks. He thought an application should be made by the Association opposing the sale, as, should the water supply scheme proceed, that location would be the most suitable place to sink a well. Mr Powell agreed that something should be done regarding the blocks on top of the hill. The sooner action was taken, the better, and steps should be taken to have the land reserved. He moved that the Association take immediate action to support the Water Trust in its objection to the sale of these blocks. The motion was seconded by Mr Kiely and carried.
​
It was further decided that meetings of the Association be held on the first Monday of each month at 8.30 p.m.​