Helping Your Business Connect & Thrive

Supporting Lorne’s recovery

The Lorne Stay & Win campaign is underway, with over $33,000 in local spend vouchers encouraging bookings through to late June.

The Council campaign was supported by Cadel Evans after the flooding and high fire risk impacted January trade and also led to the cancellation of the Surf Coast Classic event. 

Early marketing results have delivered:

• 47 businesses are now participating
• 100+ entries have already been received
• $3,000 in spend vouchers has been distributed in the first round of winners

With the campaign running through to 26 June, there is still a strong opportunity to drive bookings and in-town spend heading into winter. 

Supporting Lorne businesses over the coming months through visitation, promotion, or partnerships will play an important role in recovery.

Addressing Emergency Messaging and Business Impact

Council surveyed 68 Lorne businesses in January following the overlapping emergency events. 

83% reported that media coverage and emergency messaging about fires, closures or risk negatively impacted their business.

In response, Council has submitted to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the 2026 Otways fires, advocating for clearer, more consistent communication during emergency events - a key issue raised by local businesses.

Free Business Recovery Advisory Service

If the 2026 bushfires have impacted your business or trade, you can access free, confidential one-on-one support from a Business Recovery Adviser to:

• Navigate available grants and support programs
• Manage challenges with insurers or landlords
• Plan your recovery and next steps
• Access wellbeing and crisis support

Support is available in person, online or by phone, with the program open until 31 October 2026.

🌃 Arts Trail After Hours - add your event to the gig guide

Local businesses and venues are invited to take part in Arts Trail After Hours on Saturday 1 August from 4pm.

With over 300 creatives participating in this year’s Surf Coast Arts Trail, the weekend attracts strong visitor numbers across the region. In 2025, many of the busiest locations were those where businesses partnered with creatives to deliver events or experiences.

👉 This is an opportunity to tap into that visitation by hosting:

• Live music or performances
• Artist talks or demonstrations
• Pop-up exhibitions or creative experiences

You don’t need to be a visual artist — if your venue is hosting a creative event, you can be included in the official Arts Trail After Hours guide and ALL the marketing. 

Connect & Convert with Confidence

Not sure if your marketing is working?

This practical Better Business Skills workshop, led by three local marketing specialists from the Surf Coast Women in Business community, will help you simplify your approach and focus on what works. You’ll learn how to:

• Identify and reach the right customers
• Create content that connects (and know what to post and when)
• Use tools like social media and AI in a simple, effective way
• Build a clear, consistent marketing approach

You’ll walk away with practical actions you can apply straight away and more confidence in your marketing decisions.

📍 The Sands Torquay
📅 Tuesday 2 June, 9am - 12.30pm
💲 Free (registrations required)
☕ Light refreshments and networking included

⚠️ Limited places available - This popular workshop fills quickly. Register now to avoid missing out on practical marketing strategies you can implement immediately.

ATO online learning for small business

The ATO offers a free online learning platform  with more than 30 self-paced courses you can complete anytime and a chance to speak directly with a tax officer. Topics include:

• Record keeping
• GST and tax
• Cash flow management
• Running and growing your business

Courses use real-world examples, short modules and knowledge checks to help you focus on what’s relevant and build practical skills at your own pace. 

Mental Health First Aid – Expression of Interest open

Expressions of interest are now open for the Surf Coast MHFA 500 — a local initiative aiming to provide free Mental Health First Aid training to 500 community members.*

The program, delivered by Art of the Minds, focuses on building mental health literacy, reducing stigma and strengthening community support across the Surf Coast.

👉 Business owners and individuals are encouraged to register their interest and join this community-wide effort.

📅 National Mental Health Week: 3–10 October 2026

Tourism Talk Webinar: Digital Reality Check

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Bliss Agency are hosting a free webinar on how audiences are engaging online right now — and what that means for your business.

The session will cover what’s working across websites, social media and AI, and how to focus your time and effort to reach the right customers.

👉 A useful update for businesses looking to sharpen their digital approach ahead of winter.
📅 Wednesday 27 May, 2pm–3:30pm
💲 Free (for GORRT partner businesses)

⏰ CLOSING SOON: Applications close 31 May 2026

Don't miss your chance for up to 3 free one-on-one mentoring sessions with an experienced mentor.The program is designed to help you:

• Work through business challenges
• Build skills and confidence
• Take practical steps to move your business forward

Support is available across key sectors including agribusiness and regional tourism, health, circular economy, digital technology and advanced manufacturing.

Seasonal Insight: Preparing for winter

Visitor behaviour is shifting, with more price-sensitive travel, shorter stays and increased demand for value.

Local spend also typically drops over winter — from $186M in Summer 2026 (52% visitor spend) to $131M in Winter 2025 (41% visitor spend).*

Greater Geelong visitors contribute the highest overall spend, while visitors from Boroondara, Stonnington and Hepburn spend more per visit.

 👉 Time to consider:

• Midweek or off-peak offers
• Partnering with nearby businesses
• Targeting local and regional visitors

New acccessible cafes and restaurants map

Businesses can add their own details to the Surf Coast's new accessible café, bar and restaurant map. The map is now live. 

It allows you to showcase the accessibility features you already offer — and make it easier for more customers to choose your venue.

Accessibility doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing. You can include features such as:

• Step-free or wheelchair access
• Large print menus
• Accessible toilets (on site or nearby)
• Nearby accessible parking
• Any other features that help customers feel welcome

👉 Even small improvements can make a big difference and help more people feel confident visiting your business.

Getting started is easy: Simply fill out the short online form with your business details and the accessibility features you offer. It takes less than 5 minutes and helps more customers with access requirements choose where to dine across the Surf Coast.