How this group plans to bring new life to a small town

FOR the past 12 months a group of business owners has been working to breathe live back into this sleepy hamlet.

BRIGHT IDEA: Tania Paul helped start the Yarraman Business Group with the aim of bringing more investment and economic activity to the town. Picture: Michael Nolan

FOR the past 12 months a group of business owners in Yarraman has been working to breathe live back into the sleepy hamlet.

Tania Paul from the Yarraman Caravan Park teamed up with the owner of the Royal Hotel and a handful of merchants to start the Yarraman Business Group.

"We saw the need for the something that is focused on business and helping them understand the importance of training and networking," Mrs Paul said.

"We are still chasing more members and our idea is to support the Progress Association and do things like facilitate training programs for businesses, whether that be on digital marketing, how to use Facebook or how to set up a website."

Mrs Paul reckons it's too easy for business owners to become complacent.

"It's easy to get into a rut but when you network and listen to other ideas that people have then you run a better chance of being able to continue and grow," she said.

The group secured a grant from the Toowoomba Regional Council for the Yarra Man, the large wooden head near the pub.

It will commission a sculptor to build nine similar heads to be placed at eye-catching locations around town.

The public will be invited to paint the statues, each with a unique design, similar to the painted cows found in Shepparton, Victoria.

One idea is to place three at each of the town approaches while another suggestion is to line them up along the ridge of a hill so they look out over town.

All of this is geared towards generating interest in Yarraman and giving tourists a reason to stop.

At the start of the year the business group took on The Yarraman Junction, a community magazine previously run by the Progress Association.

Mrs Paul has a background in publishing and she has brought together contributors to promote Yarrman and its people.

To get involved in the Yarraman Business Group call 0409 504 383.

Originally published as How this group plans to bring new life to a small town