They first met at the proposed tourist information centre in Murrumburrah to view the Gold Trail display before settling into the comforts of the Commercial Hotel in Murrumburrah.

The group considered three options for the structure of the regional gold trail committee, being an incorporated association, a company or a voluntary regional committee under section 355d of the Local Government Act 1993.

Forming a company requires ministerial approval, while an incorporated association is not necessary as Councils can form voluntary regional committees under the section 355d of the Local Government Act.

Young General Manager Peter Vlatko and Gold Trail instigator Kim Johnson moved that a recommendation be made to each Council that they form a section 355d Regional Organisation of Councils (‘GOLDROC’) under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding that Mr Vlatko will draft and send to each of the Councils. This decision was carried unanimously as the best way to move forward by those in attendance.

The first meeting of GOLDROC is planned for November and they are looking to invite the NSW Tourism Minister Jodi McKay, Tourism NSW as well as the Mayors and General Managers from the six councils that are part of the Gold Trail project to the launch.

An interim Gold Trail Regional Advisory Committee was formed with Chair: Brad Thorsby, Secretary: Shannon O’Connor with committee members, Kim Johnson -Young Barbara Manion - Boorowa, Auburn Carr - Weddin, Cherie Norton, Yass, Misty Gardiner - Forbes and John Wade from Harden.

The Regional Advisory Committee will be responsible for the coordination of regional and local inputs, marketing, funding, sponsorship and project management.

The Gold Trail project will promote the region as a ‘super-destination’, as a cultural, historical and educational experience, to add value and another dimension to a visit to the region.

The Gold Trail has had a promising uptake in the six shires involved with Harden, Boorowa and Young all establishing local committees and having conducted meetings already. The councils of Weddin, Yass and Forbes are still deciding how their local committees will be formed.

The Gold Trail concept has provided a great opportunity for the councils involved to come together and to share ideas which are sure to pay dividends for many years to come.

The next regional meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at the Grenfell Historical Museum.