NEWS UPDATE: KDPA thank everyone who has supported them with a support membership throughout 2023/24. KDPA is 100% volunteer run and relies on membership subs of $30 per year. This year the group received a $10K funding allocation from West Wimmera Shire Council to assist with operating expenses. Support memberships also help to cover ongoing costs including the annual hosting fees for Kaniva website and associated digital licenses, maintaining the Sheep Art Trail, ongoing printing costs of brochures and financial contributions necessary to accessing grants.
Wiregrass Heritage Trail ProjectThis year, KDPA was awarded just under $15,000 for the WiregrassHeritage 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 ProjectKDPA has also re-applied for funding with Tiny Towns funding to paint the Water Tower. This exciting project will 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. 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.
For more information contact Chair Marlene Carter, Treasurer Russell Thomas or Secretary Helen Hobbs, Ph 0429 888 250. Or Email us.
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
Read our 2024 newsletter here.
Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
About KDPA Kaniva & District Progress Association were named as West Wimmera Shire Council, Australia Day 2020, Community Group of the Year. We presently have 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 always need assistance with:
Writing grant applications, scoping projects and quotes.
Content creation, scanning, 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.
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 Rabone and Nicole Winking.
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.