‘Destination Ky’ is the phrase describing the new forward-thinking tourism campaign that Kyabram District Health Service is hoping will boost tourism and employment in the area.
KDHS, in conjunction with Campaspe Shire Council and Kyabram Chamber of Commerce, premiered a collection of promotional videos on Thursday, May 23.
About 50 hospital staff and guests gathered in the Kyabram Plaza Theatre for the special viewing of three videos aptly named ‘Destination Kyabram’.
The videos aimed at promoting Kyabram as a tourism destination and attracting employees to KDHS, were jointly funded by the Federal and Victorian governments under the Flood Recovery Grants Program.
Attendees were warmly welcomed by KDHS deputy chair Michelle Sing and chief executive Anne McEvoy, who introduced the videos.
“Our goal was to highlight the benefits of working at the KDHS, showcase the facility, and highlight some of the lifestyle options available in Ky,” Mrs McEvoy said
“Working collaboratively on a project like this highlights the connection we all share … regardless of our role in the community, we’re all important to growing and servicing our population, and we need to continue to work together to be the best we can be.”
The first and second videos starred KDHS staff Ali Dobson, Shani Clark, Tara Fleming, and Casey Guiney, who showcased the hospital’s work life and environment.
The third video shown, titled ‘Kyabram Livability’, showcased tourist locations such as the Silo art, Kyabram Fauna Park, the shopping district, and Plaza Theatre, and included footage from the 2024 Taste and Tunes Festival.
Mrs McEvoy introduced and thanked the staff in front of and behind the cameras who made the video production possible: Ali Dobson, Shani Clark, Tara Fleming, Casey Guiney, Tayla Quick and Zach Norris.
Kyabram Chamber of Commerce president Dee Stagg said the aim of the videos, especially the tourism-focused version, was for Kyabram businesses to use the video to promote the town and “entice people” to Kyabram.
“Everyone is short-staffed in Kyabram … so, it’s a good thing to put out there to say, ‘You have something to do if you want to come and live in Ky,” Mrs Stagg said.
Campaspe Council economic development manager Astrid O’Farrell said the video's focus was to highlight all that Kyabram has to offer.
“If you’re in Melbourne, and you’re looking for a job in Kyabram as you’re googling, the only thing that shows up is a map,” Mrs O’Farrell said.
“So, what we’re hoping is that businesses will look at this video and say, ‘We should do our own,’ and sort of put Kyabram on the map, because there’s a lot to offer here.”
Kyabram-born Shani Clark was one of the few staff members who starred in the promotional videos.
“I grew up here, went to school here, went to uni and came back and stayed — so to be able to showcase what Ky and the hospital has to offer, and to encourage people to move to the area and experience the same joy that we get out of living here, is really good,” she said.