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20 August 2026
In this edition of Business Link - exhibitors announced for the Training & Skills Fair, contributions sought for the Castlemaine Heritage Study, bird flu update, plus live music and agricultural funding opportunities.
News
Full exhibitor list for Training and Skills Fair announced
35 exhibitors have been confirmed for the Training and Skills Fair coming up soon at the Castlemaine Town Hall. This free event is a great opportunity for business owners, employees, and community members to speak face-to-face with training providers, employment agencies, and TAFE representatives.
The exhibition hall is zoned so you can easily find who you want to speak to:
- Zone 1: Career guidance and support
- Zone 2: Apprenticeships and trade
- Zone 3: Earn while you learn
- Zone 4: Train and get qualified
- Zone 5: Start a business
Maintaining a skilled and adaptable workforce is essential for regional business growth. Whether you are looking to learn new skills yourself, upskill your staff, explore funding options, or discuss your future workforce needs directly with education providers, the upcoming Training and Skills Fair is worth a visit.
When:
Wednesday 2 September 2026, 10:00am to 2:00pm (Expo: 10:00am to 12:00pm; Info sessions: 12:30pm to 2:00pm)
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
H5 bird flu update
Victoria has recorded 19 new positive H5 bird flu cases, bringing the total to 104 positive birds. Local commercial poultry producers, smallholders, land managers, and veterinary professionals across Mount Alexander Shire are encouraged to regularly review the latest guidance on the Agriculture Victoria avian influenza hub to help protect livestock and regional biosecurity.
Key information includes:
- Industry specific guides: Dedicated advice tailored for commercial poultry producers, backyard flock owners, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitators.
- Land management protocols: Procedures for safely handling sick or dead wildlife found on private or commercial property.
- Identification and tracking: An interactive case detection map and wild bird identification tools.
- Reporting thresholds: Clear instructions on when to report wild bird deaths online or poultry illness via the hotline.
- Industry resources: Access to webinars, official guidance sheets, and download materials.
To report sick or dead poultry or livestock, please call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately on 1800 675 888. Do not touch dead birds. Clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds, or single dead waterbirds or birds of prey, should be reported online through Agriculture Victoria.
Castlemaine Heritage Study welcomes your contributions
Council is inviting the business community to help shape Castlemaine’s History of Place by sharing your stories, memories, photographs and local knowledge. Your contribution will help create a living document that captures what makes Castlemaine unique and informs the Castlemaine Heritage Study.
The study will guide how important places are recognised, managed and protected into the future. Get involved by attending an information session or completing the short survey and help preserve Castlemaine’s heritage for future generations.
When: The info session will be held on Tuesday 25 August, 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Where: Ray Bradfield Room, 33 Forest St, Castlemaine VIC 3450
Insurance consultations for bushfire-affected community
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) is offering Harcourt's bushfire-affected community an opportunity to meet face-to-face with insurers to discuss existing claims or lodge new ones. Representatives from the ICA will also be available to answer questions about the claims process, explain dispute resolution options, and provide practical insurance advice.
When: Tuesday 15 September, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Where: Harcourt Leisure Centre, Recreation Reserve, Binghams Road
ASIC launches new Small Business Director Essentials hub
ASIC has developed a roadmap to help you understand what to do when planning, setting up, running and closing a company.
ASIC's new online modules provide practical guidance on becoming a company director and managing your director obligations.
You can also find guidance on common situations to protect both you and your company.
Scams Awareness Week
Stop. Check. Protect.
Scams Awareness Week, commencing 24 August, encourages Australian businesses to talk more openly about scams and how to stay safe. Take the opportunity to review your security measures and learn how to recognise and avoid common scam tactics targeting business.
Report scams to your bank, cyber.gov.au, and Scamwatch. Talk to your audience and customers and share scam information through your newsletters, social media, and customer communications.
New survey explores the impact of AI on Victorian businesses
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched the AI Enablement & Jobs Impact Survey.
The survey examines AI adoption across business functions, barriers such as skills shortages and governance concerns, and AI’s impact on jobs and workforce capability. Your views are valuable - findings will inform future training, workforce development programs, and policy advocacy, helping businesses build AI capability and support productivity and sustainable growth across Victoria.
What are the barriers to electrification? Have your say
Many farms and businesses in rural and regional Australia are exploring electrification to reduce costs, improve energy security and cut reliance on diesel and gas. In partnership with Farmers for Climate Action and Australian National University, not-for-profit RE-Alliance is hosting workshops to identify barriers to electrification and renewable energy adoption. Your input will help ensure the energy transition delivers real benefits for regional communities.
When: Tuesday 8 September, 1.00pm to 2.30pm
Where: Online
Training
Increase your digital confidence
Local social enterprise Virtual Contact Centre is running a free 4-week Digital Upgrade Program in Harcourt for mature-age regional Victorians.
Through
practical support, face-to-face and online learning, you'll build practical skills with computers, online tools and AI, develop customer service skills, and then use those skills on a genuine business research project.
If you're looking to return to work or change careers, this course is for you.
When: Starts mid-September, runs for four weeks
Where: Harcourt Valley Community House and online
Cost: Free to eligible participants
One-on-one digital advice
This federally-backed program presented by Melbourne Innovation Centre helps small businesses build digital capability. Eligible businesses, including sole traders, can access expert mentoring, training and networking opportunities to improve their digital skills and business performance.
- Up to 5 hours of one-on-one mentoring with experienced digital advisers for $110.
- Free workshops, webinars and online learning covering digital marketing, AI, e-commerce and cybersecurity.
- Priority access to networking events and business connections through Melbourne Innovation Centre.
Funding
10,000 Gigs: The Victorian Gig Fund
The state government is partnering with Music Victoria to support live music venues to present more paid performances by Victorian artists.
Eligible applicants include licensed live music venues state-wide and selected local venues in outer metropolitan and regional Victoria. The initiative aims to strengthen Victoria’s live music sector, create performance opportunities for artists, and encourage more live music experiences for audiences.
How much: $5,500 for 10 gigs or $11,000 for 20 gigs
Applications close: 2 September 2026
Agricultural and pastoral society program and grants
Agriculture Victoria is offering grants to support agricultural and pastoral societies across Victoria. Funding can be used for infrastructure upgrades, improved public amenities, biosecurity measures, accessibility improvements, youth engagement initiatives, and projects celebrating First Nations culture. Eligible not-for-profit agricultural organisations, societies and peak bodies can apply.
The program aims to strengthen community involvement, support agricultural events and enhance facilities that promote Victoria’s agricultural industries and regional communities.
How much: Up to $10,000
Applications close: 11 September 2026
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Mount Alexander Shire Council
Email: business@mountalexander.vic.gov.au Website: 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.