🎁 Unwrap Cardinia | 💙 Cardinia Support | 📸 Economic Snapshot Data l | 🎄 Festive Season News | 📋 Government announcements & programs | 🤗 Business support information No images? Click here ![]() December 2023 Welcome to the December edition of our business newsletter! Welcome to our December business newsletter! We have exciting opportunities tailored for your business growth this holiday season. As Christmas is a busy time, and we've curated a list of local businesses offering last-minute gift options. Support local establishments and find unique gifts for loved ones. Don't forget to add your own business to the What's On Cardinia directory! Cardinia Support provides various community services like financial counselling, mental health support, housing aid, and more. Explore Cardinia's economic snapshot and stay updated on news and tips for memorable celebrations. Apply for Tiny Town Grants and learn about safeguarding personal data in the digital world. Why not enrich your knowledge with upcoming free workshops? Wishing you a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year from the Economic Development Team at Cardinia Shire Council!
Local business announcements![]() Unwrap Cardinia 2023Does your business have any special offers or events for Christmas? The festive season is a wonderful opportunity to showcase your business! You can submit all events and special offers to our What's on Cardinia website that is regularly visited by community members across the Shire. Simply make an account and start submitting! View all current Christmas offers and events: Christmas in Cardinia - What’s On Cardinia You can also submit your business to our online business hub: Listings - What’s On Cardinia ![]() Remember to keep "Cardinia Support" in mind. During the festive season, it's crucial to prioritise Cardinia Support and make the most of the Council's Community Services Directory. This invaluable online platform empowers both community members and service providers to showcase their offerings without any cost and ensures easy updates. The directory encompasses a wide range of community services, including financial counselling, mental health support, housing assistance, food relief, family violence interventions, and beyond. This indispensable platform enhances the connections between service providers and those requiring assistance, ultimately contributing to the well-being of the entire community. Don't overlook the impact of Cardinia Support during this festive season—explore the directory to discover the multitude of ways it can make a positive difference. ![]() Cardinia Shire - Economic SnapshotDo you need information regarding the current economic situation in Cardinia Shire?Cardinia Shire Economic Profile provides economic analysis for Cardinia Shire by combining 11 different datasets to build a cohesive story of a local economy, how it is changing, and how it compares to other areas.This resource is open to the public and serves various users, including business professionals, investors, council staff, community groups, students, and the general public. It provides information on Cardinia Shire's Gross Regional Product, local jobs and businesses, employment and unemployment rates, population data, building approval statistics, industry structure details, commuting patterns for work purposes, and more.Festive season newsHow to have a safe and happy work party There will be parties for hosting, successes for toasting, and sharing in good cheer. If you’re celebrating the end of the year with your employees, it's important you consider work health and safety. Check out Business.gov.au for tips on how to celebrate safely. Help customers shop smart this holiday season The Australian Cyber Security Centre is encouraging Australians to be cyber-smart when shopping online this holiday season. Check out their 5 simple steps to help your customers minimise the cyber threats. Government announcements and programsNew grant for 'Tiny Towns' The Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities in implementing tourism and community facility initiatives. It includes projects like splash parks, bike trails, playground enhancements, upgrades to community halls and libraries, public art installations, and more. The fund aims to strengthen community connections and attract visitors to Victoria's smallest towns. Towards a National Jobs and Skills RoadmapThe Australian Government's inaugural Jobs and Skills Report 2023 provides an initial assessment of the national skills system and Australia’s current, emerging, and future skills needs.![]() Securing Customer Personal Data for Small to Medium Businesses The Australian Cyber Security Centre has released a new publication, 'Securing Customer Personal Data for Small to Medium Businesses'. The publication provides guidance to help SMEs improve their data security, collection, and usage practices. Key points on 'positive duty' in Sex Discrimination Act From December 2023, the Australian Human Rights Commission will have new powers to investigate and enforce ‘the positive duty’. This means that they can investigate small business owners that are not taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. ![]() Seniors and Veterans Cards go digital Service Victoria has introduced digital Veteran and Seniors cards. The digital cards look the same as the physical cards making them recognisable in both forms. Customers can present the digital cards stored in the Service Vic app and businesses can simply scan the secure QR code Reminder: don't pay for government grant information Don’t get caught out by scams: the government will never ask you to pay for grant information. Business.gov.au tips can help you identify authentic government grant sources. Business support informationFree workshops to start, build and grow your business This Christmas, give yourself a gift that will keep on giving – a workshop to help start, build, and grow your small business. While Business Victoria doesn't have workshops on sleigh riding or tree decorating, they do offer workshops and webinars across a wide range of topics for small businesses. These include business development, marketing, risk management, and more. Visit the website to find a workshop near you or online. Digital Solutions Program As we approach the final month of the year, the Melbourne Innovation Centre is excited to announce the remaining in-person and online workshops. These sessions aim to provide Victorian small businesses with essential digital skills and tools, enabling them to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Note: Enrollment in the Digital Solutions Program is required for businesses to join face-to-face and online workshops. Registration is free, and after logging into the portal, you can access the workshops. Free business mentoring and support for the solar industrySolar retailers and installers in the Solar Victoria program can register now for two FREE 45-minute one-on-one business mentoring sessions with Monarch Institute (RTO: 22530). Brian can help you work on your business, drawing from his areas of expertise, that include:
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