Business Link: Training & Skills Fair, free business advice + new grant opportunities
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6 August 2026
Welcome to this edition featuring the Training and Skills Fair, small business grants, free advisory sessions, and digital training vouchers to help grow your business.
News
Skill up at the Training and Skills Fair in Castlemaine
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.
The free event brings around 30 exhibitors to the Castlemaine Town Hall. Business owners, employees, and community members can speak face-to-face with training providers, employment agencies, and TAFE representatives. Find out about local scholarships, courses spanning trades, care industries, short business qualifications and even volunteering.
When: Wednesday 2 September 2026, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (Expo: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm; Info sessions: 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm)
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
Free business advice coming to Castlemaine
Whether you are starting a new venture or looking to transform an existing business, free one-on-one support is available locally. The Victorian Government Small Business Bus is visiting Castlemaine Town Hall on Wednesday 2 September 2026.
Experienced business advisors will deliver confidential 45-minute sessions between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Taking time to reserve a spot allows you to discuss key priorities, clarify your goals, and receive a tailored action plan. In addition to advice on the day, these sessions offer a valuable starting point to connect with ongoing mentoring programs and broader Business Victoria resources.
When: Wednesday 2 September 2026, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
Maidenii wins at the 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards
Congratulations to Shaun Byrne and Gilles Lapalus of Maidenii, with their success at the recent 2026 Australian International Spirits Awards. They were awarded Champion Australian Small Distiller and also Champion Victorian Distiller. It's a huge achievement, and welcome news given the devastating impact of the January fires upon the operation of the business.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Special Events submissions open
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival’s Special Events program is an exclusive opportunity for Victorian businesses and individuals to help shape MFWF’s program of events through unique concepts that showcase the strength and diversity of food and drink in Victoria.
For the March 2027 festival restaurants, bars, cafes, producers, retailers, community organisations and individuals right across Victoria are invited to dream up extraordinary experiences that celebrate the power and joy of hospitality.
Submissions close: Tuesday 8 September 2026
Carinya's sustainability journey shines a light on the possibilities for business
Mt Alexander Net Zero Working Group (MANZWG) recently worked with Castlemaine Childcare Cooperative (Carinya) to identify opportunities and develop an action plan to improve sustainability and save money at the centre.
MANZWG made a video to showcase the practical, real-life actions that Carinya took. It's full of ideas and useful tips that will inspire you to make change, starting with using a comprehensive checklist and understanding your energy use.
H5 bird flu update
Surveillance by Agriculture Victoria continues across the state following new detections of H5 bird flu in wild bird populations along Victoria's south-west coast. While there are currently no confirmed detections in Australian poultry or livestock, commercial producers and backyard flock owners in Mount Alexander Shire are urged to maintain strict biosecurity measures.
Protect your birds by keeping feed and water secured from wild birds, restricting flock access to open water sources, and practicing good hygiene. Do not handle sick or dead wildlife.
Strengthen your business through more inclusive hiring
Learn how you can strengthen your business and contribute to your community by building a more diverse workforce. Join local industry leaders for the Asuria Employer Lunch to explore how inclusive employment can create stronger businesses, vibrant workplaces, and better outcomes across our region.
This free session provides local employers with practical insights into workforce development, government support programs, and recruitment strategies.
When: Wednesday 16 September 2026, 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Where: All Seasons Resort Hotel, 171/183 McIvor Road, Strathdale VIC 3550
Cost: Free (lunch provided)
Training
Free training to build safer, more confident businesses
Council and VicHealth have partnered to offer the Safer Business Initiative, a community-led pilot program working to prevent aggression and violence in customer-facing businesses.
Safer Business
Initiative free training will provide local businesses with practical knowledge and solutions that can create safer workplaces, reduce alcohol-related harm and strengthen community confidence.
This training is facilitated by Victoria Beresford from Trust Culture. She is a former NSW Police Inspector and workplace aggression and violence specialist.
During the training businesses will be invited to express their interest in becoming a case study that will receive support to strengthen systems to prevent workplace aggression and violence.
When: Monday 21 September 2026, 11.00am - 12.30pm
Where: Phee Broadway Theatre, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
Digital training vouchers for local construction and manufacturing
Construction and manufacturing businesses can access the new round of free digital skills training through Business Victoria’s Digital Jobs Program.
Designed to help local firms adopt new technology and stay competitive, the program provides vouchers for up to five employees per business. Eligible small to medium businesses can enrol full-time or part-time staff in six-week online modules or one-day workshops delivered by leading Victorian universities and TAFEs.
Courses cover key operational areas including data analytics, artificial intelligence, Building Information Modelling (BIM), and agile project management.
Executive Masterclass Series in Bendigo
Business owners, CEOs, and senior leaders can access quality professional development close to home this spring. Hosted by Be.Bendigo and Strategem, the Executive Masterclass Series runs from August to November at Galkangu Bendigo GovHub.
The five-part program covers strategic business growth, practical artificial intelligence implementation, risk management, leadership development, and the future of work. The series begins on Tuesday 18 August with a double-header featuring entrepreneur Dom Pym and AI specialist Ash Greaves.
When: From 18 August 2026
Where: Galkangu Bendigo GovHub, 195-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo
Cost: From $999 + Booking Fee
Build soil health with holistic grazing management
Local primary producers and land managers in Mount Alexander Shire can build property resilience through the upcoming Holistic Grazing Management Course. Part of the Healthy Landscapes program, this practical course helps landholders improve stock management, boost soil carbon, and encourage perennial pasture growth. Delivered between August 2026 and May 2027, the course includes six face-to-face workshops, online support, and an individual on-property visit.
When: August 2026 to May 2027 (Day 1 starts Friday 21 August)
Where: Malmsbury Town Hall and field locations
Cost: $150 per property (up to two participants)
Funding
Amex Shop Small Grants Program
This program aims to help independently owned businesses grow, innovate, and strengthen their local communities. Your business is eligible if it started trading before 1 January 2025 and employs no more than 20 full-time equivalent staff.
100 grants of $20,000 each are available to successful applicants.
Applications close: 6 September 2026.
Young Farmer Upskill and Invest Scholarship
Agriculture Victoria is offering up to $10,000 to farmers and farm workers for a scholarship combining study with practical professional development, business planning or other on-farm activities.
Applications close: 14 August 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.