SteamRanger "Advertiser" editorial

[ranger@camtech.net.au (bob green)]

Following a successful "Railfare" to open the Mt Barker to Victor
steam season, the return to the rails of F251and some stirring by
SteamRanger's new Corporate Manager Mark Batten, SteamRanger got some
useful coverage in the local press this week, culminating in a
complimentary leading editorial on Saturday.

Here's hoping the Tourism Minister reads her paper!



EDITORIAL (The Advertiser, Saturday May 29)

SteamRanger is just too nice to lose

Every tourism operator in South Australia knows two things: there is
very much of great appeal to sell here; the market is narrow and
survival is often marginal. Yet so many do persist to the benefit of
visitors and locals alike.

If the SteamRanger tourist train now operating from Mount Barker to
Strathalbyn, Goolwa and Victor Harbor was able to call on an eastern
seaboard catchment area it would probably be comfortably in the black
working out its marketing plan for the next five to 10 years of
assured prosperity. Instead, after so many previous buffets so
gallantly overcome, it is again under threat.

We do not reflexively argue that the Government should pump more money
into the operation.

We do very strongly urge the Government and its quasi-government
tourism authorities to have a look - starting this day - to see what
can positively be done to promote a real State asset. 

Are visitors - individuals, groups, conventions -sufficiently aware of
the joys of a SteamRanger jaunt?
Are State VIPs steered towards the simple pleasures of this ride?

It may not warrant a large cash injection, but SteamRanger
emphatically deserves the support of a Government which reflexively
gets behind less worthy, less engaging enterprises.

One of the positive features of the State Budget was increased funding
for tourism marketing.

SteamRanger would surely be a worthy recipient of support, not in
subsidy payments but in professional support to spread the word about
a most enjoyable experience.







Robert J. Green
Grange, South Australia
Tel: (08) 8353 3532