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8 January 2026
In this first edition of Business Link for the year - cool spaces, business resources for Australia Day - Survival Day, Business in Practice events, finance tools for the new year and Council grants on offer.
Helping customers stay cool this summer
With the current heatwave front of mind, many in our community are looking for ways to stay safe and well. We know that some residents do not have access to a cool space at home, while others may prefer to leave their properties on days with extreme or catastrophic fire danger ratings.
Do you welcome customers into a cool, air-conditioned space on a hot day? If your business or community venue can provide a comfortable environment, let people know via your social media channels and consider placing a poster in your front window. This helps our residents find a reprieve and supports our community to adapt to climate change.
Find out what makes a good cool space here.
You're invited to our Australia Day – Survival Day community event
Join us at Victory Park for a free community event that both celebrates and acknowledges Australia Day – Survival Day. The morning will include a Welcome to Country, our citizenship and community awards ceremony, and free catering by local businesses. A special Survival Day concert, programmed and hosted by Uncle Rick Nelson, will feature Amos Roach, Culture Evolves, Crooked TP and more.
🗓️Monday 26 January 10.00am - 2.00pm
📍Victory Park, Castlemaine
Many local businesses also choose to mark 26 January in ways that reflect their values - whether through staff conversations, sharing learning resources, or acknowledging the day in their communications.
If you’re looking for guidance, Yarnnup has created a thoughtful organisational guide to help workplaces navigate the day respectfully.
Share your expertise at our next Business in Practice event
We’re currently developing the program for our next Business in Practice event taking place on Wednesday 10 June, and we’re inviting local business people to help shape the day.
This event is designed for owners of established small or micro businesses who are looking to strengthen their skills, refine their operations, or explore new ways to grow. To make the program as practical and relevant as possible, we’re seeking contributors who can share real‑world experience.
You might like to be involved as a panel member, a local business mentor, someone delivering a skills workshop, or as another type of subject‑matter expert. If you have knowledge that could support others in our business community, or a business journey you'd like to share, we’d love to hear from you.
To express interest or discuss what’s involved, please email Daniel Bone, Economic Development Coordinator at d.bone@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Photo credit: Penny Ryan
New year financial planning tools
January is a great time to review your business's sales performance and critically assess both your marketing strategy and financing arrangements.
Business Victoria has a number of tools, calculators and templates that make this task easier and help set you up for a successful year.
New year, new lease?
A retail lease is a significant financial and legal commitment that will shape your business’s trajectory for years to come. Put aside some time to setting-up the right lease agreement for your business, and if you’re already in a lease, review it to ensure you’re on the right track.
Business in Practice Series - Fundamentals for Creative Entrepreneurs
A half-day of free professional development for artists, makers and creatives in the first stages of getting their business set up. A jampacked program delivered in Castlemaine's historic Goods Shed:
1.00 - 3.00pm Make your Pitch
Develop a short verbal and visual pitch about your work
3.00 - 3.30pm Afternoon tea
Have a cuppa and explore Asuria, Workforce Australia, Business Mount Alexander, StartUp Central Victoria, Workspace and others.
3.30 - 4.30pm Intellectual Property and AI
Protect your intellectual property as you start out
4.45 - 5.45pm Foundations to Flourish: Legal, Finance and Compliance
The critical steps in turning a creative pastime into a money‑making practice
6.00 - 7.30pm From Idea to Actuality – Creative Enterprise in Practice
Artshub editor Richard Watts OAM in conversation with local champions Dr Bonny Cassidy, Fred Farquar and Shelley Krape.
12:00 - 6.00pm One-to-ones on the Small Business Bus
Walk-up for expert advice on the Business Victoria small business bus
🗓️Wednesday 11 February 2026, 1.00pm - 8.00pm
📍Goods Shed, Castlemaine 21 Kennedy Street, Castlemaine VIC 3450
💲Free
Image: Top row L:R Morgan Williams, Louise Buckingham, Dr Bonny Cassidy, Shelley Krape, Fred Farquar. Bottom row L:R Kerry Anderson, Richard Watts AOM, Scott MacRae, John Wellington, Georgina Johnston
Local Impact Business Grants - applications closing soon
Council's new grant program supports local businesses, business groups, farmer networks and community organisations working with business. Utilise this opportunity to bring your practical, high-impact project to life.
💲Up to $5,000 per project for delivery between February and June 2026
Community Grant Program opening soon
Round One of Council's Community Grant Program opens soon. Funds are available for incorporated and not-for-profit community groups and organisations to support local community-based projects and initiatives that align with Council objectives.
🗓️Applications are open 2 - 23 February
💲Amounts up to $3,000 for small grants and $10,000 for partnership grants
Access discounts on solar PV systems through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
Eligible Victorian businesses on commercial and industrial sites - including offices, retail, warehouses, and community facilities - can receive significant savings on solar systems sized between 30 kW and 200 kW. This is a great opportunity to reduce energy costs, lower emissions, and future-proof your operations.
Additional incentives like small scale technology certificates (STCs) and large scale generation certificates (LGCs) may also apply. Systems must be installed by accredited providers and meet Clean Energy Council standards.
Good news stories
We love featuring good news stories from businesses across the shire.
If your business has any recent achievements or awards, email business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au so we can feature the good news in Business Link.
What's On
Stay up-to-date and sign up to the What's On newsletter here. Discover things to see and do, and all the best places to eat, drink and stay across the region via our tourism website.
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For updates on local events and things to do, follow Castlemaine, Maldon and Surrounds on Facebook and Instagram.
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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.