Campfire Stories
Message fromour CEO
There was a bit of debate in Base Camp, aka our office in Newcastle, about the title of our inaugural newsletter.
Campfire Stories was ultimately chosen, though, because the Reflections team loves getting around the fire pit and having a yarn
and this publication is all about sharing our stories with our valued tourism partners – not only to inform but perhaps even to spark new ideas and joint projects.
This edition focuses on two projects that have kept our team busy.
The first project centres on our efforts to build an energy-efficient park of the future, our ambitiously named North Star Park, via a raft of initiatives at our popular Seal Rocks park. With an initial $2 million investment, we are driving change in our operations to help protect the environments in our care for future generations.
The second project is a bush tucker garden that is one of the many cultural tourism programs occurring in our parks. The program forms a part of our first Reconciliation Action Plan under Reconciliation Australia’s framework and we can’t wait to see it grow bigger and better.
Enjoy this issue and don’t forget, life’s better outside.
Nick Baker, CEO
Park North Star
“One of our mottos is ‘Say It, Do it’, and with the North Star Park we intend to do just that,” Nick says. “We are gathering data on energy efficiency that will improve not just our Seal Rocks park operations, but those across our growing portfolio of parks and reserves. The good news is that while it’s a hell of a task, we have started, and we are committed.”
Imagine a holiday park that runs on solar and electric power, doesn’t waste a drop of water, and is energy efficient, even in peak guest periods.
Welcome to Reflections’ energy-efficient North Star “park of the future” at Seal Rocks, a pilot project that CEO Nick Baker says will change not just the operations of Reflections, a certified social enterprise on the path to B Corp status, but will raise the eco bar across the industry.
Reflections has set a goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2029 across all parks by using energy management, data management systems and metering and benchmarking.
It has recruited respected sustainability consultant Ryan Dillon to put a micro lens over its 39 holiday parks, camping grounds and unique accomodation measuring the efficiency of appliances and upgrading assets, to develop the ‘North Star’ park.
Ryan’s work will guide Reflections’ Revolving Sustainability Fund, which has an initial $2 million investment. Reflections can expect to have a cost-saving of $377,000 in one year, which will be reinvested into further energy efficiency improvements.
Reflections parks have been set challenges to help achieve the emission and cost reductions that will be independently verified using the International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol (IPMVP®), the gold standard for energy efficiency projects. Watch this (green) space.
Plants as Weapons
The development of Reflections’ first Reconciliation Action Plan has given root to a growing cultural tourism program across its parks.
Bush tucker garden ingredients have blossomed on menus around the country thanks to passionate and curious chefs and MasterChef contestants.
Reflections is also playing a role in delving into the land cultivation practices of the Traditional Custodians of the 12 First Nations it operates upon.
Forster Reflections’ Park Manager Justine Syme partnered with Aboriginal educational provider Deadly Ed to plant a bush tucker garden, divided in sections: tools and weapons, edible, and medicinal.
The successful pilot garden is just one of many Indigenous learning activities on Country in Reflections parks under a Cultural Tourism Program developed in partnership with Crown Lands.
The program is a part of Reflections’ first Reconciliation Action Plan, one of four attained under the framework of Reconciliation Australia.
“Each year we welcome 2 million guests from Australia and abroad and we have an opportunity to introduce them to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories and wisdom,” Reflections CEO Nick Baker says.
QR codes at Forster Reflections allow guests to learn more about the Aboriginal cultural uses of native plants in the new bush tucker garden.
Justine, who contacted Deadly Ed with the help of Reflections’ Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Cheryl Newton, is thrilled her park now has a connection to Country.
She’s not alone – many other Reflections parks are linking with local Aboriginal education providers to host activities and cultural tourism initiatives in park.
For example, Jimmys Beach Reflections has installed a cultural art trail by Worimi Artist Tyson Jolly, allowing guests to view Tyson’s art depicting local wildlife, learn the name of local animals in Gathang language, and scan a QR code to learn about the cultural significance of local wildlife.
Reflections’ Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Cheryl Newtown, and Worimi artist Tyson Jolly
Business for Good
Hot showers are something that we take for granted, but for those sleeping rough they can be difficult to access.
In an effort to ease this problem in Byron Bay, Reflections has partnered with Byron Shire Council to jointly fund the installation of hot water at the amenity block at Banner Park Reserve, Brunswick Heads.
The aim of the initiative is to provide hot water to help people who are sleeping rough and looking for work.
Hot water is now available daily in the public amenity block at Banner Park Reserve between 6am and 11am. To support water conservation, showers will run on a timer.
Banner Park Reserve is maintained by Reflections for the local community and is part of the 15 acres of public reserves that Reflections looks after in the Byron Shire using proceeds from its holiday parks.
Reflections CEO Nick Baker said the role of Reflections, the only holiday park group in Australia that is a certified social enterprise, is not only to nurture land on behalf of the NSW public but also to do ‘business for good’ as a profit-forpurpose organisation.
“As a Crown Land Manager and a social enterprise, Reflections reinvests profit from holiday parks into public nature reserves for the enjoyment of the local community, and we also partner with community organisations on initiatives that benefit the community,” Nick says.
A win for guests ProjectPet
One third of all Australian households include a fur baby, so it follows that more than two thirds of Reflections properties (33 out of 39) welcome dogs as guests.
In furry good news, guests checking in to our parks can now book directly for their dogs, rather than having to telephone or email our parks to advise of their dog’s attendance.
Considering the saving cost and convenience, it’s a win-win for guests and pooches.
Destination North Coast’s General Manager. Michael Thurston, said the decision by Reflections to upgrade its website to enable direct pet bookings was something that pet owners had long hoped for, and provided peace of mind as they planned their travels.
“Pets are an integral component of so many consumers’ lives and as the leading caravan and camping region in NSW, we feel it fitting that they can now be accommodated for when the original booking is made and enjoy the ideal, year-round climate that our region offers with their owners,” Michael said.
“We feel that this customer-centric innovation will lead to increased visitation and a more buoyant visitor economy.”
Reflections North Haven
Reflections CEO Nick Baker and Byron Shire Mayor Michael Lyon
Reaching for the stars atKeepit
Whether you’re soaking in a “star bath” or snuggled in bed gazing upwards, the night sky will feel close enough to touch at Reflections’ planned “Big Sky Dreaming” tourism project at Lake Keepit.
The precinct of eight star-gazing tents is taking shape with $2m in grant funding from the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Activation Fund, and a co-contribution of $500,000 from Reflections.
The planned precinct maximises one of Keepit’s biggest untapped advantages: clear, star-studded night skies and no light pollution. Guests will be
able to check into their star-gazing tent, designed with a window above the bed, use a telescope to admire the Milky Way - or enjoy it from a bath on the deck of their luxe tent.
Reflections is working with the local Kamilaroi people and local stakeholders to finalise details of the “big sky” tourism offering and scoping the possibility of including a Star Bar and conference facility.
It is estimated that the precinct could attract more than 45,000 visitors and around 6,200 visitor nights each year, contributing $1.675m to the economy.
There’s a lot of love for Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve, the iconic Central Coast landmark that has been a beacon of safety for seafarers and the broader community and public since 1903.
In September, Reflections became the new caretaker of the Lighthouse and its Reserve, including three accommodation properties, and is working alongside the local Reserve volunteers to ensure it is protected and remains open to the NSW community.
Reflections has established the Norah Head Reserve Community Liaison Group, which includes 14 community members, including two descendants of previous lighthouse keepers at the much-loved Norah Head site.
Reflections CEO Nick Baker says Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve is one of the Central Coast and NSW’s most prominent Crown Land reserves.
“Located on Darkinjung Country, this architecturally significant lighthouse and its three cottages are located on almost 20 hectares of coastal nature reserve making it a significant landmark and a highly popular tourist attraction,” Nick says.
“Reflections manages public (Crown) reserves and reinvests any profits back into the land it manages, so the appointment will help maintain Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve as a shining jewel for the Central Coast.”
Reflections staff and the passionate Reserve volunteers were joined by the local community on November 18 to celebrate the 120th birthday of ‘Lady Norah’ with the cutting of a special cake, community barbecue, lighthouse tours, whale-watching and face-painting for the kids. All proceeds will be reinvested in Norah Head Lighthouse Reserve.
Not sure who Reflections is, or what we do in your community?
Here’s what you need to know:
We are a Crown Land Manager and we reinvest profits back into the 24,000 acres of public land we care for.
The remaining
Reflections has a head office, or “base camp” in Newcastle.
of land in our care is where we operate our 39 holiday parks, campgrounds and unique accommodation, from Ferry Reserve (Brunswick Heads) in the north to Eden in the south, and inland.
First Nations and has a Reflections operates on
Reconciliation Action Plan it developed under the framework of Reconciliation Australia.
Reflections? 94% 6% 55 350 12 Who is
of the land in our care is nature reserve, and we work with local councils and community groups including Landcare to protect it. We care for 45 reserves in coastal and inland NSW.
With a team of people in its parks. and it employs
Our Cultural Tourism Program, developed in partnership with Crown Lands, shares Aboriginal cultures in our parks. Programs that are run include yarning circles, didgeridoo playing and bush tucker gardens.
We don’t develop our parks with restaurants or shops. Instead, we encourage our guests to check in and check out their local surrounds and support local businesses, i.e. the café, bakery, restaurant, newsagent etc.