July 2025

A Look at July Highlights

A Message from Our CEO, Leanne Down

As we step into August, I’m pleased to reflect on another productive month at the Committee for Wyndham. Every initiative, event, and conversation continues to reinforce our mission—to advocate, connect, and educate our members and the broader Wyndham business community.

July highlights included a members-only tour of the Wyndham Law Courts, offering valuable insight into our growing justice precinct, and a powerful leadership session with EQ Leaders that sparked fresh thinking around authenticity and communication.

Our latest podcast featured Samuel Fragapane from All Green Nursery & Garden, sharing insights on innovation and resilience in family business.

We also shared key updates from local MPs to keep our members informed on developments shaping the region.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to host our 12th Annual Economic Update Lunch this August. Registrations are now open—join us for expert insights and networking with leaders from across the region.

Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to what we’ll achieve together in the months ahead.

Warm regards,
Leanne Down
Chief Executive Officer
Committee for Wyndham

Inside the Wyndham Law Courts:

A Members-Only Tour

On Tuesday 22 July, Committee for Wyndham members had an exclusive opportunity to tour one of Victoria’s most significant infrastructure projects—the new Wyndham Law Courts.

Located in East Werribee, the $271 million facility is now the largest court complex outside Melbourne’s CBD. More than a legal hub, it marks a major step forward for access to justice in Melbourne’s west.

Members toured the modern facility, which houses 13 courtrooms, mediation suites, and dedicated areas for the Magistrates’, Children’s Courts, and VCAT. Designed with the community in mind, it offers child-friendly spaces, quiet rooms, and enhanced accessibility such as a Changing Places facility.

More than a court, it will support vulnerable residents, create jobs, and reinforce Wyndham’s role as a key hub for justice and community services.

Thank you to Lizzy Jacobs for documenting the day with photos and to Court Services Victoria for guiding members on the tour.

There are several job opportunities available at Wyndham Law Courts and state-wide. If you or anyone you know may be interested, visit the following links - Custody Jobs (with Salaries) - SEEK and www.careers.vic.gov.au

Equine Encounters:

Leadership Beyond the Boardroom

On a crisp winter morning at Rock View Ranch, Committee for Wyndham members joined EQ Leaders for a powerful leadership experience that stepped well outside the boardroom.

The morning explored emotional intelligence, connection, and trust through hands-on activities with horses. Guided by the expert EQ Leaders team— finalists in the Wyndham Business Awards—participants discovered the impact of non-verbal communication and embodied leadership through quiet, grounded exercises.

No slides, no lectures—just the presence of horses, meaningful reflection, and lasting insights into leadership through presence, not just strategy.

Thank you to EQ Leaders for hosting such a memorable session, to our members for embracing the experience, and to Lizzy Jacobs for beautifully capturing the day.

Proudly Supporting Excellence in Manufacturing and Transport

On Wednesday, 30 July, Committee for Wyndham CEO proudly attended an event hosted by the Economic Development Team at Wyndham City Council to present certificates to the 2025 Excellence in Manufacturing and Transport category finalists for the Wyndham Business Awards.

We’re honoured to sponsor this important category, recognising a sector that drives innovation and economic growth in our region. Congratulations to our finalists: ArcStructural Pty Ltd, Desi Kothi Ice Cream – Clayton, Outwest Concrete & Building Supplies, and Oyo Movers.

We’re also thrilled to celebrate our Committee for Wyndham members recognised across multiple award categories:

Business Person of the Year: Emma Costin – EQ Leaders
Excellence in Education and Training: EQ Leaders
Excellence in Retail, Tourism and Hospitality: Werribee Open Range Zoo
Excellence in Manufacturing and Transport: Outwest Concrete & Building Supplies

A special thank you to our members supporting the awards through sponsorship: All Green Nursery & Garden, Commonwealth Bank, Kenstra, The Gordon, Victoria University, Williams Landing – Cedar Woods Properties Limited, and Western United Football Club.

Together, we’re building a thriving, innovative, and resilient business community in Wyndham.

Want to celebrate local business excellence? Join us at the Wyndham Business Awards!

Purchase Tickets Here

Only a few tickets left until SELL OUT!

Join us at Shadowfax Winery for an exclusive lunch with Luke Yeaman, Chief Economist at Commonwealth Bank, who will share expert economic forecasts to help your business navigate uncertainty. Proudly sponsored by Williams Landing, Cedarwoods, and Commonwealth Bank, this event offers valuable foresight and the chance to connect with leaders from Wyndham and beyond.

Why Attend?

Gain clarity on complex economic trends impacting Australia and Wyndham.
Hear from Luke Yeaman, a seasoned economist with 25 years of experience
Equip your business with the knowledge to navigate an uncertain economic landscape.

Registrations open to Committee for Wyndham Members and broader business community.

Don’t miss your chance—secure your place today via the link below.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKET HERE

Business Leaders Lunch - Save the Date

9th September 2025

Join us for our final members-only Business Leaders Lunch for 2025, featuring keynote speaker Ryan Ling, General Manager of Pacific Werribee. Ryan will share the centre’s transformation journey—from major developments to the evolving retail landscape—and how Pacific Werribee is positioning itself as a leading destination in Melbourne’s west.

Guests will also hear from Rob Corneby, General Manager Leasing at Cotton On, who will lead an exclusive in-store talk and tour at Cotton On Pacific Werribee. Rob will offer a behind-the-scenes look at how one of Australia’s most recognisable retail brands continues to adapt, grow, and lead in a rapidly changing environment.

Members will receive a separate email to register within the coming days.

The Committee for Wyndham is committed to keeping you informed about the recent activities of our local sitting Members of Parliament, sharing updates on their work and advocacy across the region. Each MP has provided information relevant to their respective districts, offering updates into the issues and initiatives shaping their local communities. While not all activities are listed here, you can subscribe to each MP's updates for more detailed and regular information.

By sharing these highlights, our goal is to keep the Wyndham community informed about important developments and initiatives that support growth and opportunity across the region.

Joanne Ryan MP

Chief Government Whip

Federal Member for Lalor

July marked the opening of the 48th Parliament. Joanne had the honour of nominating Milton Dick MP as Speaker. She also delivered her Address-in-Reply speech, highlighting priorities for one of Australia’s fastest-growing electorates.

The Albanese Government is progressing key legislation on cost-of-living relief, supermarket reform, cheaper home batteries, and HELP debt relief, benefiting over 19,000 local residents. Major reforms in aged care, Medicare, and early childhood education are also underway.

Locally, the Government is delivering:

$125 million for the Wyndham Ring Road
$57 million for the Ison Road Rail Overpass
$41.75 million for Ballan–McGrath–Greens Road
$13.2 million via Roads to Recovery
$2.3 million for cycling and pedestrian projects
$500,000 each for Werribee Islamic Centre and Galvin Park Pavilion

Congratulations also to the Melbourne Vixens on their national netball championship victory!

Dylan Wight MP - Tarneit District

Progress on West Tarneit Station

We’re pleased to share an update on behalf of Dylan Wight MP, Member for Tarneit, on the significant progress being made on the new West Tarneit Station.

The project has now reached an exciting milestone with the construction team beginning to establish site access, including the development of a temporary construction road from Leakes Road into the site.

With site preparation underway, full construction is set to commence in August. Delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project, the new station will be a vital addition to the V/Line network on the Geelong Line—enhancing public transport connections for our growing community.

For ongoing updates and to subscribe to project notifications, visit: bigbuild.vic.gov.au

John Lister MP - Werribee District

Local projects and business engagement

We’re pleased to share an update on behalf of John Lister MP, Member for Werribee, highlighting recent developments across the local community and key infrastructure projects.

In late June, Mr Lister welcomed Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs, Danny Pearson, to take part in a business roundtable hosted by the Committee for Wyndham. The session brought together local organisations including Wyndham Community and Education Centre for a robust discussion on economic growth, investment, and local priorities. A special acknowledgement goes to Igor Bitonde, who attended as part of his work experience with Mr Lister’s office.

The Allan Labor Government has introduced several new measures to support Victorian businesses — including raising the payroll tax-free threshold from $900,000 to $1 million, effective from 1 July.

Mr. Lister, joined by Minister D’Ambrosio, and Minister Carroll announced a $10 million Energy Innovation Fund to support food, beverage, and manufacturing sectors in adopting efficient electric technologies. This move aims to reduce energy costs by easing gas demand. Mainstream Aquaculture is a local business excelling in energy-efficient operations.

On the infrastructure front, key local projects continue to progress — including the Ison Road Overpass and Extension, upgrades at the Ballan Road/Greens Road and Werribee Main Road intersections, and the West Gate Tunnel Project. With the tunnel set to open later this year, travel times for commuters in the west are expected to be cut by up to 20 minutes. Mr Lister is arranging a behind-the-scenes tunnel tour for local logistics businesses — more information to come soon for CFW members.

To stay up to date, follow John Lister MP on Facebook and Instagram, or contact his office at john.lister@parliament.vic.gov.au or (03) 9741 1133.

Trung Luu MP - Western Metropolitan Region

Supporting Our Community During Challenging Times

As the Shadow Assistant Minister for Police, Corrections and Crime Prevention, Mr Trung Luu would like to acknowledge the recent reports involving childcare centres across Melbourne’s west have understandably caused concern and distress in our community.

Childcare services are essential for many families, helping parents balance work and daily life. When issues arise, it impacts not only families but the wider community.

Together with the Committee for Wyndham, we are committed to keeping community informed and supported. That’s why Mr Trung Luu is sharing trusted resources from WestCASA, which offers confidential counselling and support. You can contact them at 9216 0444 or visit www.westcasa.org.au.

For families directly affected, a dedicated advice line is available at 1800 791 241 (7 days, 8am–9pm weekdays, 8am–5pm weekends).

More information is also available at: www.vic.gov.au/childcare-centres-investigation.

Please remember, support is here, and you’re not alone.

At the Committee for Wyndham, being Your Business Voice means staying informed about local developments and investments. This enables us to more effectively advocate on behalf of our members, connect them with opportunities to support the local community, and share updates from our Members of Parliament to ensure you remain well-informed.

Welcome to Our New Members and Thank You to Our Renewing Members!

We’re excited to welcome our newest members and thank those who have renewed. Your support helps us connect businesses, share knowledge, and advocate for the Wyndham region.

What we do:

Advocate: We represent our members’ interests to drive economic growth
Connect: We create opportunities for businesses to connect and collaborate.
Educate & Promote: We provide valuable insights and share the story of Wyndham to support growth and sustainability.

Ready to become a member? Click to find out more

Member Spotlight: All Green Nursery and Garden Podcast

We recently sat down with Samuel Fragapane, CEO of All Green Nursery & Garden, for a rich episode of the Committee for Wyndham Podcast.

Samuel shared All Green’s journey from a small family business to a leading name in Melbourne’s garden and landscaping industry—along with valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and staying connected to community. He also gave us a sneak peek at some exciting projects ahead.

Whether you're a business owner or simply inspired by stories of growth and innovation, this episode is well worth a listen.

Watch or listen to the full conversation here

Job Opportunity - McCarthy Plumbing

Administration Assistant Trainee – 2025
McCarthy Plumbing Group is seeking an enthusiastic trainee to start a paid full-time Certificate III in Business. No prior office experience needed. Gain hands-on experience, mentoring, and career opportunities at our Laverton North Head Office.

To apply, send your cover letter and resume to resumes@mccarthyplumbinggroup.com.au.

All Green Nursery and Garden Launches Smart Farm Pilot with Local Schools

All Green Nursery & Garden has launched a 10-week pilot with Wyndham Tech School and Warringa Park School, blending Smart Farm tech with traditional horticulture.

Students gain hands-on experience in sustainable farming while supporting All Green’s Locally Grown initiative. This program strengthens education-business ties and lays the groundwork for a scalable, long-term model—growing futures together.

Victoria University and Mercy Health Formal Partnership

CEO Leanne Down attended the launch of a formal partnership between Victoria University and Mercy Health to enhance education, training, and employment pathways in Wyndham. Congratulations to both organisations on this important collaboration.

By leveraging local hubs like VU’s Werribee and Hoppers Crossing campuses, the alliance will expand student placements in nursing, allied health, and related fields—supporting workforce growth and improving community wellbeing.

This collaboration strengthens ties between education, health services, and the community, driving economic growth and better access to quality care in the region.

Photo credit: Eko Hermawan - VU & Mercy Health enter into formal partnership | Victoria University

Build Your Brand: Content Creation for Small Business Owners

Struggling with content creation? Join local branding photographer and coach Lizzy Jacobs for a free, hands-on workshop that makes planning and creating content simple and stress-free.

You’ll learn:

Tailored content ideas
Time-saving planning techniques
Easy strategies to boost visibility and build client trust

Lizzy helps small businesses show up online with confidence. This workshop offers a sneak peek into her popular Brand Builders program, where content creation becomes collaborative and fun!

Werribee Rotary Club

Werribee Rotary Club is now accepting applications for its annual Community Grants Program. Selected groups will receive funding later this year, with President Lyn Fava highlighting the program’s role in strengthening community connections.

Running a business takes time and effort. That’s why we’ve gathered key tools and resources to help you navigate challenges, find opportunities, and stay ahead—so you can focus on what you do best.

Buying for Victoria - The go-to platform for suppliers interested in working with the Victorian Government. Find out more here.

Grant - Wyndham City Council offers a comprehensive list of grants and funding options available to you. Find out more here

Business Victoria - Access expert guidance, services, and skills to start, manage, and grow your business. Find out more here.

Wyndham City Tenders - Find and apply for current tenders here

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