11 April 2024

In this newsletter you will find opportunities to engage in new and existing local events, find out about key changes to new home energy requirements and get organised with handy checklists for business owners.

Online marketing course

Castlemaine Community House is offering an in-person course in online marketing. Run over ten sessions, facilitator Chakra Williams will teach you how to craft compelling content, identify what resonates, and master the art of capturing the online attention you desire.

Chakra Williams is a former software quality assurance analyst with expertise in website development, digital marketing and online software integration. He now focuses on helping small businesses achieve their digital marketing goals. 

Date: Fridays, 19 April to 21 June (10 sessions)
Time: 9.30am to 12.00pm
Cost: $75 (full) | $50 (concession)
Where: Castlemaine Community House - 30 Templeton St, Castlemaine 

Victorian Tourism Awards – enter now!

Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) is the peak industry body for the tourism industry. Nominations for their annual Victorian Tourism Awards are now open.   

Nominations close: 27 May 2024 
Finalists announced: 17 October 2024

Why enter? Entering the awards is similar to going through a business planning process as it encourages you to investigate issues, unpack and realign business objectives, and consider your values, positioning and future plans.

Although the effort required may feel like a major investment with no guaranteed reward, it is likely you will walk away from the experience with a more defined and objective view of your business. And, if you do win, the benefit of being recognised by industry and consumers for business excellence may be truly transforming.

Showcase Event – Callout for More Tastes!

Mount Alexander Tastes Showcase is on in the region from Thursday 25 to Monday 29 April. This pilot showcase is a forum supported by Business Mount Alexander to promote the amazing local food and drink industry. 

Mount Alexander Tastes Showcase will feature the producers and venues of the region, and the organisers want you to get involved!

It can be as simple as a special dish on your menu, a unique picnic basket full of produce from the region on sale, a special drink or cocktail, or open tasting of your produce.

Check out what is already happening here: www.bendigoregion.com.au/visit-castlemaine-maldon/mount-alexander-tastes-showcase

If you're not in the food or beverage industry, but you would like to support the event by displaying a poster in your shopfront, or you would like be involved as a sponsor, please contact the organisers on the link below.

FREE workshop on new home energy requirements from 1 May 2024

From 1 May 2024, a new national requirement will come into force for new dwellings and renovations, which will impact all plans being prepared from this date onwards.

Houses will need to achieve an Energy Rating of 7 stars instead of 6 stars. This reflects the new National Construction Code 2022 standards. This is a quantum leap and will require significant change to current practice. Whole of Home assessments also become mandatory on 1 May.

This workshop will outline the changes, show practical examples of how you can achieve this while minimising the impact of additional costs, and invite questions.

The workshop will be presented by Mick Lewin from the Mount Alexander Sustainability Group in partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council. Mick is an accredited and experienced NatHERS Assessor, a member of the ABSA Technical Advisory Committee and an accredited Residential Efficiency Scorecard Assessor.

Who should attend: Developers, architects, designers, builders, potential owner/ builders and any other interested parties.

Where: Ray Bradfield Room, Victory Park, Castlemaine
When: Monday 6 May 2024, 3.00pm to 4.00pm
Cost: Free

Five checklists to support your business

If you run a business you'll know that being organised is the key to success.  

These five checklists will support you in your operational processes and guide you with tips on improving your business. You'll find templates, links to support and access to a wealth of information on everything from funding to assessing risk, and everything in between.

1. Cyber security checklist – find out how cyber secure your business is and strengthen your business against cyber threats.

2. Sustainability checklist – tips on how to increase business resilience and employ good environmental and social practices.

3. Hiring employees checklist – make sure you meet Australian laws when hiring an employee.

4. End of financial year checklist – tick off your tasks for this important time for your business, and prepare for the following year.

5. Setting up your finances checklist – understand the steps to setting up your business accounts and find the tools and assistance you need to start managing your business finances.

Get involved in our local markets

We have some great regular markets in the shire which help create a vibrant community.  If you're a producer or maker, they can be a great place to test out a business idea, connect with local customers and build relationships with fellow stallholders.  

Wesley Hill Community Market
Every Saturday, 9.00am to 1.00pm at 149 Pyrenees Hwy, Castlemaine.

Castlemaine Farmers Market
First Sunday of the month, 9.00am to 1.00pm at Western Reserve, Forest St, Castlemaine and every Wednesday, 2.30pm to 5.30pm at Camp Reserve, Forest St, Castlemaine.

Maldon Market
Second Sunday of the month, 9.00am to 1.30pm at 1 Church St, Maldon

Castlemaine Artists' Market
Fourth Sunday of each month, 10.00am to 2.00pm at Western Reserve, Forest St, Castlemaine.

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Mount Alexander Shire Council
email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au  web: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au

Mount Alexander Shire Council acknowledges that the traditional custodians of this
land, the Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung peoples, proudly survive. We acknowledge their continued practice of custom and their close cultural, spiritual, physical, social, historical and economic relationship with the land and waters that make up
their country, which includes Mount Alexander Shire.