October 2025
Award winning bespoke creations in Coburg North: Adam & Arthur
Tucked away in Coburg North, design duo Adam & Arthur are redefining and keeping alive, the centuries-old craft of straw marquetry. Founded by industrial designer Adam Goodrum and French artisan and cabinet maker Arthur Seigneur, the studio transforms hand-dyed rye straw into bold, contemporary works that have gained international acclaim. The technique used is a ‘lost and found’ craft, reimagined into incredible functional art pieces. Whilst the partners don’t always agree, they challenge each other to push their techniques and creations, blending meticulous craft with striking modern forms.
Their unique furniture items are recognised worldwide with pieces acquired by the National Gallery of Victoria and recognised with multiple accolades, including the Vogue Living VL50 Product of the Year 2025, and the 2024 Melbourne Design Week Award. Pieces are designed and crafted on consignment with each piece taking months to produce.
Grants and funding
CSIRO Kick-Start program
Access matched funding and collaborate with CSIRO’s leading researchers to tackle technical challenges, develop innovative solutions, and fast-track your business growth.
Digital Jobs program
This program provides manufacturing and construction businesses with access to free training to upskill employees with digital skills.
Discounts on costs of installing a small-scale solar battery
Small businesses can now get a discount on the upfront cost of installing a small-scale solar battery.
Creative Australia funding
Record Label Development Scheme to support holistic development and success of Australian music artists – up to $125,000. Apply here.
Marketing and Manufacturing Grants matched funding for eligible record labels to support marketing, promotion, manufacturing and distribution costs – up to $10,000. Apply here.
Victorian Production Fund – Games
Funding up to $500,000 to bring your innovative digital games to life across PC, consoles, mobile, and immersive platforms.
Business Victoria grants and advice
Looking for current State Government grants? Visit Business Victoria to see what’s available.
If you missed the Small Business Bus, you can still access a similar 45-minute business advice session here: Business Advice | Business Victoria
Marketing and Promotion: Creating Content that Converts
This 90-minute session helps business owners create authentic, human content. Learn how to write social posts, website copy, and emails that speak directly to your customers with clarity and personality. You’ll also discover how to use AI tools to streamline content creation while keeping your unique voice consistent and effective.
When: 10am - 11.30am
Wednesday 22 October 2025
Where: Balam Balam Place
15 Phoenix Street, Brunswick
Events
AI and sustainability
NORTH Link, in collaboration with the La Trobe Business School, brings a unique blend of industry engagement and academic insight to explore how emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are shaping the future of sustainability
When: 7am - 9.30am
Tuesday 7 October 2025
Where: Digital Innovation Hub
Jenny Graves Building
La Trobe University, Bundoora
Monthly Women in Business networking event
Time for coffee and conversation at O'Hey Cafe in Coburg! Join us for the next Merri-bek Business Women's Network Coffee Conversations event.
When: 10am - 11.30am
Tuesday 7 October 2025
Where: O'Hey Café, 44 O'Hea Street, Coburg
Merri-bek bold business gathering: Moving to planet positive business
Join local business owners for a practical conversation about using resources more responsibly, from recycling and reuse to ethical materials, local production, and circular models. If you’re curious about doing business in a smarter, more sustainable way, come along and join the conversation. Business leaders sharing their stories include:
- Mario Milici, Founder and Creative Director, UpShop Industries
- Gabrielle Pestinger, Owner, Wholefoods Unwrapped Collective
- Marshall Waters, Founder, Rewine
When: 5.15pm - 6.45pm
Thursday 9 October 2025
Where: Rewine
522 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
Emergency Management and Community Safety Expo
Come and meet your friendly local emergency services and learn how to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event of an emergency. Salvation Army will host a FREE BBQ and there will be information stalls and activities for all ages at this free community event.
When: 10am - 2pm
Saturday 11 October
Where: Coburg Civic Centre
90 Bell Street, Coburg
Save the Date! Merri-bek end of year business gathering
Join businesses from across Merri-bek to celebrate a year of hard work, achievements, and connection.
Let’s toast to a successful 2025 and share what’s ahead for the new year.
A formal invitation with full details to follow.
This is a chance to unwind, connect, and celebrate our vibrant local business community—don’t miss it, hold the date in your diary now!
When: 5.30pm - 7.30pm
Tuesday 9 December 2025
Where: Post Office Hotel
229-231 Sydney Road, Coburg
Event tickets will be released mid-October at Business Merri-bek | Humanitix
More news
Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners program
Get 6 free sessions with a mental health coach who understands small business. Beyond Blue’s NewAccess for Small Business Owners program offers free, confidential support for small business owners feeling stressed or overwhelmed about everyday life issues. Available by phone or video call, with no GP referral required.
Make every container count — for your business, and your community
Local businesses in Merri-bek can recycle smarter by partnering with KARI Foundation’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) Depot in Coburg North. Get the full 10c refund per container instantly and help create local jobs and support Aboriginal-led programs. KARI offers free bins and scheduled pickups from your workplace or events, making recycling easy and impactful.
Guides to protect Apple, Google and Microsoft devices
The Australian Cyber Security Centre, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and Cyber Wardens have come together to create 3 cybersecurity guides to help small businesses secure their accounts and devices.
If your business uses Apple, Google or Microsoft, download these step-by-step guides for the latest information on cybersecurity.
ATO courses
The Australian Taxation Office has a range of online support on offer, to assist you in developing and strengthening your small business.
Six ways to spring clean your small business
Spring cleaning is a big focus this time of year, so why not take some time to give your business a once-over? There are lots of ways you can refresh your business and ensure you’re running as efficiently as possible.
Congratulations
Congratulations to SHOP225 who has been ranked 28th best pizza in the world. Proudly representing Pascoe Vale on the global pizza map!
Congratulations to the Sydney Road Business Association for being nominated as a finalist in the Mainstreet Australia Awards for their digital marketing campaign ‘Stories of Sydney Road’. Sydney Road Brunswick Documentary by Guido Pezz.
Congratulations to Wonder Pies in Coburg North, which has been named a State Finalist in three categories at the Telstra Best of Business Awards:
- Accelerating Women
- Building Communities
- Outstanding Growth
Congratulations to Royal Nut Company on 38 years – celebrate with them on 7 October with 10% off storewide at their Brunswick store!
Has your business won an award? Let us know at business@merri-bek.vic.gov.au so we can help celebrate and share your success.
Media mentions
The Age’s Good Food showcasing Upper Lygon’s bustling restaurant scene:
Charrd
Dodam
Catalogue Coffee
Times New Roman
Taverna
98 Lygon
Daphne
Bar Elsie
Monthly economic insights
Business conditions are on the up!
Small business conditions are slowly but surely on the mend, according to the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO). The latest Small Business Pulse shows a 0.6% increase in August 2025, marking the second consecutive quarterly lift. Over the past 12 months, the index is up 0.2%, signalling a small, gradual but steady shift in business sentiment.
Official data out recently showed the Australian economy grew at its fastest pace in two years in the June quarter as consumer spending finally responded to lower borrowing costs and cooling inflation. Many small business owners are now trying to move from a “survival mode” mindset to one that’s more focused on how to do things differently - using technology and innovation - to contain costs and protect long-term margins.
The ASBFEO also reports seeing small businesses push toward diversification especially in sectors that have been doing it tough for a while. Small business operators are actively exploring new markets, products, or services to create more resilient and future-proof operations.
Quick links
Business Merri-bek acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways in the area known as Merri-bek, and pays respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging, as well as to all First Peoples communities who significantly contribute to the life of the area.
