Got a desperate call to get immediate accommodation for a group of 12 from a Perth school yesterday, who were camping at Guilderton Caravan Park when the heavy thunder and lightning struck Perth.
I desperately tried to accommodate them in 2 other businesses where the owners were on site, but to no avail. I rung them back since the other operators told me they were full and gave them FREE emergency accommodation at Moore River Holidays for the night.
Got a call from Marita when they arrived to say how amazing the house and property was and it was beyond what they had expected and they are very appreciative to be out of the storm. Rona Chiera of Moore River Holidays
Guests:Clontarf Aboriginal College Girls with Marita and Kym
Archive for the ‘News’ Category
Clontarf Aboriginal College Girls are nuts about Moore River Holidays
December 7th, 2011 by Rona ChieraMoore River Chocolate Cafe update
November 21st, 2011 by Rona ChieraWe are close to finishing the extra driveway required for the chocolate cafe, the plans of the driveway need to be given to Gingin Shire for approval.
We have planted our fruit and nut trail, just like the Cadbury Chocolate Bar, so you can wander around the fruit and nuts trees at your leisure. We will be making some of our sweets treats and cakes from the fruit that is produced on our property and from the surrounding farms. Our architect, John Kestel, will be finalising the Chocolate Cafe drawings for council approval, then we can have the concrete slab down ready to start building the cafe.
Isabella, my highly allergic child has a school attendance record of 36% due to her daily swelling with allergies. Isabella has outgrown her nut allergy and her allergy reactions have grown into an allergy monster with an out of this world proportions,now that we do not know the trigger to her reactions. The school, unfortunately, is on high alert for her allergy reactions. Our school is handling the matter the best they can. Ronald McDonald House-Learning Centres have been helping us with her education in maths and Isabella and Sophia are both loving maths, so much so that they are helping other children with their work, when at school. I love the hurdles that come my way, no matter what hurdle gets in my way, I’m here to stay and I will find a way around it.
Gotta love McHappy Day!
Sweetest Streets of Australia this Halloween. Top 5 Halloween Tips.
November 19th, 2011 by Rona ChieraSweetest Streets of Australia this Halloween
We have the sweetest streets and neighbours in WA.
We are celebrating our 5th year of Halloween this October 2011.
This year, again, we have our makeup and costumes ready to travel along the sweetest street of W.A.
We come back and divide up all the lollies, chocolates, chips and fruits and we had kilos and kilos to divide amongst our group of kids. Therefore we claim to have the sweetest streets in Australia.
This is how you can enjoy Halloween, Trick or Treat, in your neighbourhood with safety and respect to your Neighbours.
Sweet Street Success is a great recipe that we are happy to share. Top 5 Halloween Tips.
1) 1 week prior you send a note to your Neighbours with details
Phone number and name of the parent supervisor on the walk
Day, Date and time of your walk e.g. 4pm-6pm
Estimated group size 2-12 kids
Group sizes: based on a bag of fun snack size chocolates that have 12 in a bag
Avoid more than 12 kids, as one bag of lollies keeps the costs low for our neighbours and under $3.
2) Invite other children on that street to join (BYO Parent)
3) Dress in Halloween costume and or make up
4) Respect your neighbour’s property, thank them, say trick or treat, even if empty handed.
5) Reverse Halloween. When Halloween falls on a weekend, do not trick or treat. Weekends are rest & recreation days for our neighbours and families. Send a note to your neighbours with a chocolate bar attached and thank them for being a part of your Halloween Trick or Treat Trail.
We have children with special needs, nut allergies and it does not matter if you give a little or a lot, it will all be divided up evenly at the end of the day amongst the children.
Our family have used Halloween as a way of saying hello to our Neighbours whilst experiencing allergies and children with special needs children. One of our Neighbours is a police officer they are thankful of the safety, respect and coordination of our annual event.
We are so thankful to our big brands of chocolates and lollies for promotional packaging the sweets for our neighbours to spoil us with.
So who wants to try and claim next year’s sweetest streets of Australia?
Rona Chiera
Moore River Holidays
Holiday Home Accommodation changes in Gingin Shire TPS9 Scheme
November 19th, 2011 by Rona ChieraI have forwarded a letter to Gingin Shire raising my concerns over the TPS9 changes to “holiday Home Accommodation” terminology.
Looking beyond the fact that we have holiday homes available for use all year round. We also have an investment that we do not want to see go down the gurgler either, so we as owners and the management of our homes is taken seriously. Do we not want affordable holiday homes in the Shire of Gingin? Can a Chalet, Cabin and B&B house as many people as they want? Could these restrictions make our guests look elsewhere for accommodation or simply bypass the Shire of Gingin altogether. Please note, that my property is a rural farm stay group booking specialist and we are excluded from these restrictions, however, speaking with owners directly and knowing the details, maintenance and care from behind the scenes, I feel I need to have a voice with them.
My letter of concern emailed on 15 Nov 2011 :
Lisa Edwards –Executive Manager of Town Planning and Development
Mr. Mike Aspinall and Councillor Team,
Gingin Shire TPS9 Proposal Objections and clarifications required at the Gingin Shire Meeting Tuesday 15/11/11.
1) I believe the Gingin Shire is discriminatory on the issue of the term dwelling to limiting the holiday house/home market to 6 -12 persons, when there are ZERO people’s restrictions on any other forms of accommodation dwellings, namely Bed and Breakfast, cabin, chalet, guesthouse, therefore I would like to see the person limitation removed from the TPS9.
2) Clarification of the term “holiday home/house”
3) I want to encourage the Gingin Shire to register all short term accommodation providers.
I am a farm stay in Caraban on rural premises.
I adhere to Australian Tax Office Guidelines
I adhere to DOCEP guidelines
I adhere to our insurance guidelines
I am on rural land but for marketing purposes I call myself a holiday home, but I am on a farm, so I am actually a farm stay, therefore the person restrictions excludes my dwelling.
I want to see registration of short term accommodation, so some of us can become accredited with the Tourism Council of WA, create a network of providers and to promote the affordable accommodation as an alternative to not having national branded accommodation companies. Registration is a positive move forward for growth and consistency in the Shire of Gingin.
I do not want to see the shire management of short term accommodation providers for the estimated 25% peak periods we have, made up with an uneven playing field of clauses to the detriment of what building they offer TPS9 proposal. Most of these TPS9 changes do not affect my property, but I feel I need to voice concern over discriminatory dwelling clarification used to decide the proposed accommodation in the TPS9.
EXAMPLE: Bed and Breakfasts who supply food in non commercial kitchens are currently restricted to 6 persons for accommodation. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons. They now can act as a holiday home disguised under the B&B banner. The Gingin Shire TSP9 proposal is going to divide tourism based businesses in accommodation and create an untrustworthy partnership amongst us all that we are trying so hard to build well through networking.
An example of networking: My property was booked out. I gave Sandy Lake Farm a quick call to see if they had a vacancy. They did. Through networking we managed to still secure that person to stay in the Shire of Gingin. They are a B&B, but can still provide similar services to what my property can offer. Now, in the TPS9 proposal, Sandy Lake Farm has zero person restriction and can easily be that same holiday home that I am running, and now the coastal houses on non rural properties can be restricted to 6.
Who deems it a “holiday accommodation” because in my case: we cater for school groups and excursions, special needs children, NAVY recreational trainings courses, sporting groups, visiting friends and family, family reunions as well as holiday accommodation. Therefore you may need to make it clear as short term accommodation facilities and not just refer to it as holiday accommodation.
0–Bed and Breakfasts who supply food in non commercial kitchens are currently restricted to 6 persons for accommodation. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons.
0–A Chalet has limited facilities. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons.
0–A Cabin self-contained unit similar to chalet but may lack ensuite facilities. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons.
0–“Eco-tourist facility” means a form of tourist accommodation that is designed, constructed, operated and of a scale so as not to destroy the natural resources and qualities that attract tourists to the location. The development should utilise sustainable power, have a low energy demand through incorporation of passive solar design, and provide for low water consumption, ecologically sensitive waste processing and disposal with low pollutant product.
0–“Farm stay” means a residential building, bed and breakfast, chalet or similar accommodation unit used to accommodate short-stay guests on a farm or rural property and where occupation by any person is limited to a maximum of three months in any 12-month period. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons.
0–“Guesthouse” means integrated premises for short-stay guests comprising serviced accommodation units and on-site tourism facilities such as reception, centralised dining and management, and where occupation by any person is limited to a maximum of three months in any 12-month period. New TSP9 has zero restrictions of persons.
6–“Holiday home/house” means a single house (excluding Ancillary Accommodation), which might also be used from time to time for short stay accommodation for no more than six (6) people (but does not include a ‘Bed and Breakfast’, ‘Guesthouse’, ‘Chalet’ and ‘Short Stay Accommodation Unit’). New TSP9 has 6 person restrictions.
Example: Holiday Homes in Guilderton mostly cater for 6 persons to 14 persons. We assess each individual’s requirement and pass them around to the most suitable accommodation venue.
6–“Holiday Home/House (large)” means premises conforming to the definition of ‘Holiday Home/House’ with the exception that the premises provide short stay accommodation for more than six (6) people but not more than twelve (12) at any one time.
There are 12 weeks school holidays, 11 days Public Holidays=26% peak period booking potential. The coast has 95% holiday homes, therefore this maximum 6 person holiday home clause will affect 100% of the coastal accommodation and 95% of the accommodation providers in the Shire of Gingin. The affordable accommodation, one hour north of Perth, that we are known for will be bypassing us as a whole and open the market to Dandaragan operators. The Indian Ocean Drive has had some downturn effect on operators in Shire of Gingin; this TSP9 restriction will no doubt cause a further decrease in visitors to our attractions and activities which our activities and attractions are all inland with the exception of Moore River Tours.
A Shire Example I have reviewed: You have until 1 January 2012 to complete your registration. We have put together a pack to provide you with more information and an explanation of what is required if you rent your dwelling as short term accommodation or a self contained premise. If you would like to have a pack sent out to you, please fill in the form below, or contact our Environmental Health team. Busselton Tourism Group is the registered organisation for tourism. If you are booking short-term accommodation then you should consider choosing an accredited holiday accommodation provider. Can we not over rule on short term accommodation providers in one area for the sake of the minority, who spoil it for us. We do want to look after our investment and feel like locals at the same time. Can we work together with registration and networking capabilities and create progressive partnerships with the TPS9 rule proposal?
I do not want a reply from you, just a progressive partnership with non discriminatory rules with the Shire of Gingin
Thank you Rona Chiera
PO Box 1626
Osborne Park WA 6916
Mobile: 0419 909 167
Moore River Holidays
Short term accommodation provider in the Shire of Gingin
N.U.T. No Uniform Today wants to be added to Wikipedia
September 16th, 2011 by Rona ChieraN.U.T. No Uniform Today, wants to be added to Wikipedia. I am not computer literate in the use of Wikipedia. Is there anyone who may take a look at how I may be able to add, N.U.T. No Uniform Today to Wikipedia as no one in the world is operating a No Uniform Today, FREE Dress Day, to help us promote allergy awareness?
I would love our community world to unite with the same simple message of N.U.T. No Uniform Today, because this style of promoting allergy awareness in our community takes up very little volunteer effort and time and has been easy for our international community of people, in our schools to understand and relate to. Let’s unite of this easy message, N.U.T. No Uniform Today.
Rona Chiera
Want N.U.T. No Uniform Today in your school for 2012?
September 16th, 2011 by Rona ChieraMc Donalds, Coles,Woolworths, IGA and many more partners are committed to supporting our communities, and they support us with a range of causes through fundraising and charitable partnerships. The overall value of community contributions is in the 100′s of millions including cash donations, fundraising time and management costs. A big thank you must go to all community members, customers and staff for supporting these initiatives. I followed an elderly man out of Woolworths the other day and he placed his token in one of the local schools boxes. Our local volunteers are hidden gems in the community and I enjoy thoroughly walking alongside you every day.
My dream with our N.U.T. No Uniform Today is to work with sponsors to help us with allergy awareness. Some of these sponsors include, Kraft, especially after participating in our peanut butter challenge at Princess Margaret Hospital, Nestle, Cadbury, Arnott’s, Mars, Ferrero. If I look in my pantry cupboard and fridge, I could easliy recall many more. These brands are not only great products, but I have also watched them improve their labelling to assist us with an easier way to identify if we are at risk of “may contain traces of nuts” contamination. Some new ways they write on labelling is, ” made on the same equipment as other products with nuts” and “stored in a facility that processes nuts” this is clearly a trust relationship we are seeing developing between the consumer and the manufacturer.
Well done
Rona Chiera
High Tea & Tarot party plates in BIG supplies at Idealhomewares.com.au,
September 14th, 2011 by Rona ChieraTo cater well, for our High Tea & Tarot, I searched High and low for High Tea plates, which are becoming desperately short in stock. I needed 10, so I called Maxwell and William direct and Melissa was most helpful. I found a great site, that says, if you can’t find it anywhere, just ask! Well, I couldn’t find 10 plates anywhere, It meant I had to go around Perth and collect 1 or 2 plates from different shops, so I took up the offer on www.idealhomewares.com.au website and contacted them. In a matter of minutes, I was responded to and my 10 High Tea & Tarot plates are on their way. They deliver on their promise that is stated on their website. Well done Dean & team. Best service I have had in a long time.
High Tea & Tarot ladies, we are almost ready for a great girls weekend in Gingin, heart of the Moore River region Weekend! From Rona Chiera of Moore River Holidays
We guarantee a fast, convenient and reliable home delivery service every time you order.
Can’t find what you’re looking for anywhere?
If you’re looking for something in particular, please let us know about it and we will gladly find it for you. Contact us
Alternatively you are welcome to phone our Balaclava shop on 03 9525 9557 during business hours and speak to one of our friendly staff members. www.idealhomewares.com.au
14/09/11 Thanks Dean, I have successfully received my online order of our High Tea and Tarot plates. Very Happy
Moore River Holidays traffic on Indian Ocean Drive
September 14th, 2011 by Rona ChieraAccording to Mainroads traffic along Indian Ocean Drive has increased to out of this world numbers and we are just at the beginning stages of growth for self drive to the north of Western Australia. Moore River Holidays website traffic has also increased 114.30%. We have been fortunate in this part of Western Australia to see an increase in traffic, especially when the economy is down as we have never seen this amount of cars on our roads ever. We thank you for experiencing the outdoor playground of Western Australia. If Moore River Holidays is ever booked out, we will offer you alternative accommodation to look at and we showcase our local attractions in the Turquoise Coast and Moore River regions of Gingin.
Nut Allergy Awareness whilst on holidays
September 13th, 2011 by Rona ChieraNut Allergy Awareness whilst on holidays is a blog that is coming soon. Please feel to write about your experience if you wish.
Cheerio for now
From
Rona Chiera
Rona Chiera is nuts about our community. A positive advocate for allergy awareness
September 13th, 2011 by Rona ChieraWhat is it that is driving me to be the advocate for allergy awareness in our community you may ask?
Having been blessed with identical looking twins, Isabella and Sophia, I noticed when sending them into the school environment you had a 50/50 chance of knowing which twin had the nut allergy. Their class teacher and their friends knew which one was which, which equates to around 30 people in a school that educates close to 1000 students is 3% who know which twin is highly allergic.
My husband is a custom sheet metal manufacturer, running his own business and his customers are international, national and local food manufacturers. He outfits and custom manufactures their equipment and commercial kitchens and now enjoys the confidence of building allergy aware equipment without really thinking about it anymore. He has seen Isabella become almost lifeless after reacting to a trace of peanut. He can see firsthand the effort food manufacturers place on their own businesses to ensure cross contamination is minimised.
I am, Rona Chiera, Isabella and Sophia’s Mum, who is also the main person who goes to the grocery store to purchase food for our household. I became that loyal to the big brands of foods whilst being an allergy aware Mum. With this, I am very loyal to my local brands and together I enjoy an excellent mix of fresh foods that my family loves to eat.
Just by pure accident and the turn of events that have happened in my family I have naturally become a positive advocate for allergy awareness in our community.
FAST FACTS
I am an allergy aware Mum of identical looking twins
I participate in my school and community
I Created N.U.T. No Uniform Today out of a need
Our business specialises in equipment made for food manufacturers
I am the main grocery buyer in our household
I continue to live and breathe allergy awareness on a daily basis with my daughter, Isabella
Rona Chiera
CEO of Positive Peanuts
