Explore the power of artificial intelligence without needing a tech background.

Join us for our next Better Business Skills workshop:  No-Code AI Tools for Businesses - a practical, hands-on session, designed to show how Ai can streamline your business, boost productivity, and save time.

Whether you’re in retail, hospitality, professional services, or working from home, this session will introduce you to accessible AI tools that can transform the way you work.

👉 What You’ll Learn

In this 2-hour interactive workshop, you’ll get to:

✅ Understand what AI is and how it applies to small business

✅ See real-world examples of local businesses using AI successfully

✅ Compare leading AI platforms: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and more

✅ Create content and visuals using AI tools

✅ Build your own CustomGPT — no coding required

✅ Use automation to streamline tasks and operations

Connect & Collaborate

Arrive early at 12.30pm for light refreshments and networking with local business owners and support teams. The workshop kicks off at 1.00pm.

📢 Event Details

When: Thursday 13 November 2025 | 12:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Surf Coast Shire Council, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay

Cost: Free (registrations required)

This workshop is a collaboration between Surf Coast Shire and the City of Greater Geelong. Businesses from both regions are welcome.

🔗 Register now to secure your spot

📩 For questions or accessibility support, contact: business@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

This festive season, Surf Coast Shire is encouraging the community to look local first when buying Christmas presents, and your business could be front and centre!

Council is partnering with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism (GORRT) to launch a Buy Local Christmas Campaign, showcasing the amazing range of gift options available right here on the Surf Coast.

A dedicated online landing page will promote featured businesses across Shopping, Wellness, and Active gift categories.

👉To be featured, your business must:

✅Be located in the Surf Coast Shire

✅Offer physical gifts or experiences (retail, wellness or active categories)

✅Be listed with GORRT (free or paid listing)

👉Create a FREE listing here

📌 Please note: Cafés and restaurants are not included in this campaign, as the focus is on tangible gifts and packaged experiences suitable for Christmas giving.

This is a fantastic opportunity to boost your visibility and connect with shoppers looking to support local.

🎄Share the Surf Coast Spirit:

There will also be a number of festive community events coming up, as well as Christmas decorations across the shire.

To make sure that you keep up to date with everything planned, follow us on our social media channels.

With warmer months fast approaching, now is the time for local businesses across the Surf Coast Shire to review and update their seasonal fire preparedness plans. 

Whether you operate a café in Lorne, manage a B&B in Aireys Inlet, or run a home-based business in Winchelsea, having a plan in place can protect your people, property and profits.

The Victorian Government is urging businesses to act now to strengthen their resilience against fire and other emergencies. This includes identifying risks, having clear evacuation plans, and communicating your safety procedures with staff and customers.

If you're in tourism or hospitality, the CFA’s Fire Ready Kit offers tailored resources to help you prepare your business and ensure your visitors know what to do in an emergency. It covers practical steps such as property maintenance, signage, and communication plans.

👉Free Online Webinar: “Preparing Your Business for Fire Season”

Join emergency management experts for a free online session on Wednesday 30 October, focused on business continuity, insurance, and how to stay informed during fire events.

👉Register here

Looking to cut energy costs and boost your sustainability credentials? 

With energy prices continuing to rise, now is a great time for businesses to explore renewable options.

The Victorian Government, through the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, is offering generous rebates on solar PV systems to help businesses and community organisations cut costs, reduce emissions, and invest in long-term sustainability.

Whether you’re running a café, warehouse, office, or managing a local facility like a school or aged care centre, these new incentives can make a significant difference. And with additional Commonwealth rebates also available, your business could see installation costs reduced by up to 35%.

👉What types of sites qualify

 Examples of eligible system sizes include:

✅ 30–50 kW: local government offices, aged care facilities, retail sites

✅ 50–100 kW: aquatic centres, schools, hospitals, warehouses

✅ 100–200 kW: large commercial/industrial rooftops and factories

🔎 To find out more and check your eligibility visit energy.vic.gov.au

From 14 October, Microsoft ended all support for Windows 10, so if your business still uses Windows 10, it's time to start planning.

👉Why it matters

Running a business on unsupported systems increases the risk of cyber-attacks, data loss, and costly downtime. Whether you're managing bookings, sales, or customer records, secure and reliable tech is essential for staying operational and competitive.

👉What you can do:

✅Upgrade to Windows 11 – The best option for improved speed, security and software support.

✅Use Extended Security Updates (ESU) – A paid, short-term option for critical protection.

✅Replace outdated devices – Older computers may not meet Windows 11 requirements.

🛠️ Next steps:

• Check compatibility via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
• Back up your data securely
• Get advice from your IT provider or a trusted local tech expert

For more information visit: www.microsoft.com

This October, over 10,000 visitors will descend on the Surf Coast for the Amy’s Great Ocean Road Gran Fondo and UCI Gran Fondo World Championships.

👉Road closure reminder:

The expanded race program includes an additional road closure on Thursday 16 October between Lorne and Eastern View. This is ahead of the traditional Sunday race day. Check the event website for full traffic details so you can plan for staff, deliveries, and customer access.