20 June 2024

In this newsletter

Final chance to have your say on the new draft Economic Development Strategy, find out about the Healthy Landscapes Program, read about disability inclusion and social procurement, and meet local business champion Luz Restrepo.

Final Opportunity – share your feedback on Council's draft Economic Development Strategy

Council is developing an Economic Development Strategy, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. The draft strategy outlines how Council will deliver against the 2021-2025 Council Plan key pillar of 'a resilient and growing local economy'.

Visit the Shape forum to learn more, read about the engagement we've undertaken so far, and make comments on the draft strategy. Your insights will help ensure the strategy meets the real needs of local people and businesses, fostering a thriving community.

We'd love to hear from you!

Closing date for feedback: 26 June 2024

Long Paddock Cheese is a National Finalist in the delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards

Castlemaine-based Long Paddock Cheese has been announced as a 2024 National Finalist in the dairy category of the delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards. They will go up against six other state finalists for the national prize.

This competition is the country's most prestigious food industry campaign. The four major categories are dairy, earth, paddock and sea – the focus is on the people who grow, cultivate, harvest and catch the product supplied to the country's leading chefs and hospitality venues. 

The national winners in each category will be announced on 22 August. Good luck Long Paddock Cheese!

Healthy Landscapes Regenerative Agriculture Program

Would you like to improve your grazing, productivity, soil health, biodiversity and waterway health?

Healthy Landscapes is a holistic grazing management program provided FREE of charge to managers of land over two hectares in size, in Mount Alexander Shire and some surrounding shires.

The upcoming six-day course will be held over nine months from 2 August, and will include face-to-face learning, online theory, and practical on-property learning.

Want a taste of the course? You can access webinars from past workshops and interviews with local farmers with experience of regenerative agriculture here.

Social Procurement Supplier Expo

Would you like to explore how your business can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive economy? 

All levels of government and increasing numbers of private organisations are committed to using their buying power to achieve social and environmental goals. If you'd like to become a supplier to Council and other government agencies, gaining insights into social procurement will help you secure contracts.   

Meet other businesses and stakeholders, hear success stories. Council's procurement team will be there – come and say hi!

This FREE event is a collaboration between Workforce Australia Local Jobs Bendigo, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce, and City of Greater Bendigo.  

When: Wednesday 24 July, 11.00am to 2.00pm
Where: 91 Inglis St, West Bendigo VIC 3550

The WELCOME Framework – how to attract visitors of all abilities to your tourism business

This guide by Austrade has clear and practical advice to make your tourism business more accessible and inclusive.  

Accessibility is about making sure people of all abilities have the tools to enjoy the same products and services as everyone else. Inclusion is about ensuring everyone gets a chance to take part. It is focused on cultural practices and shifting social norms, so that everyone can enjoy themselves while participating.

You'll find ideas to try and links to more resources that will help you reduce the barriers to participation and guide your accessible tourism journey.

Local Spotlight: Migrant Women in Business

We caught up with Luz Restrepo of Migrant Women in Business recently. Luz was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to the multicultural community of Victoria in the recent 2024 King's Birthday Honours.

You are a co-founder of Migrant Women in Business (MWiB). Can you tell us why you started the organisation and what MWiB does?

Becoming a business owner offers migrant women a path to empowerment. Entrepreneurship means leadership for migrant women because it requires us to articulate our ideas, defend our rights and raise our voices. This is why Corinne Kemp and I founded MWiB in June 2020. Since then, our national business network has connected over 230 migrant women to collaborate, educate and support each other in building sustainable businesses. We provide networking, co-branding, media exposure and advocacy. Now MWiB is transitioning to a cooperative model, opening new opportunities for migrant women business owners. With a strong foundation, it’s the right time for them to become leaders in the organisation and for us to become their mentors.

Made by Many Hands is our multivendor marketplace (similar to Etsy) which includes a business desk to support migrant women with varying levels of English, digital and business literacy. It features products from over 70 migrant women, fostering collaboration and exploring wholesale and corporate opportunities.

You have been an active member of the Maldon business community for some time. What has been a local highlight for you?

Since moving permanently to Maldon in 2021, I have been exploring ways to encourage migrants to move to the region. I quickly realised that the first step was to engage deeply with the community, especially the local businesses. To this end, I joined Maldon Inc. and served on its committee for a year. Through this involvement, I gained a deeper appreciation for the town's uniqueness, its rich history and its historic buildings. Most importantly, I connected with the people and leaders who are dedicated to preserving Maldon's legacy and sharing it with both tourists and locals.

During my time with Maldon Inc., I met Jamie Heffernan from Maldon Getaways, a business leader whose generosity and welcoming approach helped me connect with other passionate and knowledgeable business owners. Working with him, we revealed a new business opportunity: by connecting these business owners with their peers, we can create a robust support system that enhances the economic wellbeing of the town and the region.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a similar business?

As small and micro business owners, we have power and a voice. Working together amplifies our impact and opens doors for us and future generations. Never underestimate the power of collaboration and mutual support. Together, we are strong!

Do you have any plans for the future you would like to share with our readers?

At the beginning of this year, following the success of the Maldon Business Expo that Jamie and I organised, I met Jess Getty, a newcomer to the town who brings her expertise as an app developer specialising in user-friendly digital tools. Our collaboration led to the creation of Village Business, a social enterprise dedicated to fostering united, skilled, and welcoming business communities in small towns with populations of less than 10,000 people. We achieve this by curating events and developing digital tools that help small-town business owners connect and collaborate effectively.

You are invited to join our upcoming event, The Village Business Expo, on 8 October at the Maldon Golf Club. We aim to connect 300 business owners from 20 small towns in the Loddon Campaspe area. Additionally, as business owners, you can join our Village Business Portal, a private B2B platform that profiles businesses, encourages collaborations, and promotes mutual growth. 

Thanks, Luz!

Last Chance to Vote for Maldon

Voting closes 24 June in the Top Tourism Town Awards.

Vote for Maldon in the Small Town category and go in the draw to win some great prizes.  Find out more by heading to the VTIC website.

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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.