"Our Ramara" … Connecting Our Community

Posted Summer 2004

Ramara is a small rural township, just east of the City of Orillia. It is not well known and even in Orillia it is often referred to as "that community over the bridge" where the road crosses between two lakes to join Ramara and the City of Orillia. In the past, an obvious need had been identified for an all-inclusive complete information source about Ramara. There was no place in Ramara where people could obtain comprehensive information (e.g., no local newspaper).

In April 2003, the Ramara Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Ramara Public Library and spearheaded an initiative to develop such a unique database of information. The information will be gathered from within the township, thereby ensuring that the database contains accurate information regarding recreation, history and culture, tourism, business, government, social services, health and education, as well as all community-based organizations and associations.

The OHCC Community Animator facilitated the early sessions with many community members from many sectors. The one common theme was that the participants wanted the information to be gathered by the people in Ramara and be only about Ramara.

Early on, a presentation was made to the Ramara Council and the municipality has supported the initiative by sending a permanent representative to all meetings. In this way, the project would be complimentary to the Virtual Town Hall website that is under development in the County of Simcoe.

The "Our Ramara" Coalition is currently planning the development and maintenance of their web site and is meeting with service clubs and other organizations to possibly host an event for all of Ramara.

The "Our Ramara" Coalition has representation from the following community partners: MP of Simcoe North, MPP of Simcoe North, Township of Ramara - Council, Township of Ramara, Ramara Chamber of Commerce, Ramara Public Library, Ramara Centre, Community Development Corporation of Orillia and Area, Community Foundation of Orillia and Area, Ontario's Lake Country, Mnjikaning First Nations - Communications, Rotary Club, Historical Society, Friends of Ramara Public Library, Joyland Beach Community Centre, Orillia Fine Arts Association, Longford Mills Community Centre, Brechin Lions, Ramara Community Policing, Ramona Hall and Brechin Legion.

Mission Statement:

Our Ramara...Connecting Our Community
"Our Ramara promotes and encourages pride in Ramara's people, its history,
its culture... its unique rural and progressive character"

Objectives:

1. To develop and maintain database and website
2. To increase awareness of Ramara's recreation, history, culture, tourism, businesses, government, social services, health, education and all community based organizations and associations
3. To promote and encourage accessibility to all our information through all means possible
4. To encourage and enhance community and economic development
5. To facilitate and share information by linking community partners
6. To foster and enhance civic pride and harmony throughout Ramara
7. To capture and preserve the unique rural and progressive culture and character of Ramara

For more information, please contact Janet Banfield, chairperson (705) 325-5776 or banfieldj@yahoo.com