NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS — As the summer tourism season begins to wind-down, the Owl House Board’s work ahead for 2017 is about to kick-off.
This past November at the Owl House Foundation’s Annual General Meeting the new Board for 2017 was elected while over the same month the first annual Advisory Committee summit took place. Both the Board and the Committee worked together to discuss objectives, recommendations, and implementation strategies.
“Preservation and promotion are the key concerns of the Advisory Committee, to ensure that this cultural tourism jewel continues to be a visitor magnet for local and international visitors. An excellent visitor experience will also ensure the continuing, positive economic impact for the village and the region,” says the Advisory Committee’s Chairman Philip Todres.
Many existing directors were re-elected bringing continuity and experience with the Owl House Foundation to the Board including: Annemiek Schep, Willie Oliver, Peet van Heerden, and Municipal representative Leonie Fouche. The list of directors that have joined the mix to bring fresh local talent to the table include Nieu-Bethesda and surrounds residents Philip Olifant, Patty Coetzee, and Kevin Watermeyer.
Head of the Graaff-Reinet Museum Anziske Kayster has also been elected on, and brings additional experience from serving as a founding Visionary Team member during the 2015 initiative. “Heritage has been my passion for many, many years and to serve as director on the board of the OHF has provided me with an opportunity to apply my passion to something new and exciting. I cannot help but to anticipate amazing collaborative efforts between the local museums and The Owl House and look forward to it,” says Kayster.
Shortly after the general election, the Board internally voted in Kevin Watermeyer as the Vice Chairman and re-elected Peet van Heerden to lead as Chairman for another term. Van Heerden has seen the Advisory Team evolve into a valuable asset for the Owl House, “We are excited to see such a dynamic team of professional people that bring invaluable knowledge and resources. I’d like to commend my fellow Board members for their continued dedication to the Owl House and Nieu-Bethesda and salute the hard work coming out of the Advisory Committee. Together we are achieving more.”
The Board is also pleased to announce that 2016 saw the highest number of visitors to the Owlhouse since records started being kept in 1996 – an astounding 15 347 people visited the museum last year with 2885 visiting in December alone! The implications of this for Nieu-Bethesda are obvious.
Both the Board and the Advisory Committee continue to work towards their 2017 key objectives and deliverables while steadily maintaining regular operations and management and will be meeting again in the village soon.
“It’s incredibly encouraging to see a locally-based Board work in tandem with a professional Advisory Committee. The Owl House can benefit greatly from this balance while we continue to forge ahead to get the space to the next level. The team is like a line of racehorses ready at the post eager for the starting bell,” says Advisory Committee member Shawn Graaff.
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