Next steps for affordable housing, a BIG funding project, plus a workshop and short courses.
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18 July 2024
In this newsletter - we're looking for advisory committee members for the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust. Plus read about a BIG funding project, submit feedback for the Regional Telecommunications Review and upskill at Castlemaine Community House.
Would you like to help guide the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust initiative?
In this year's budget, Councillors voted to establish the Mount Alexander Affordable Housing Trust, an independent charitable organisation that will hold land and funds for the development of local, affordable housing. Council has allocated $500,000 in this year's budget to the Trust. Read the media release on our website.
We are now looking for six community representatives to advise the Trust on housing needs and opportunities in the shire. We're looking for strong skills, knowledge, experience and interest in sustainable growth of permanent affordable housing stock.
If you want to be a part of this significant project, we would love to hear from you. You can learn more in a few ways -
- Go to Shape to read about the role of the advisory committee, the key selection criteria and selection process. You can also ask a question through the platform.
- Head to a listening post to meet Clare Richards, Housing Solutions Broker, and local Councillors in Elphinstone on 1 August or Castlemaine on 3 August
- Email Clare Richards affordablehousing@mountalexander.vic.gov.au
Applications close 4 August.
A BIG funding project
Community Bank Maldon & District recently announced their BIG Project with the theme of "People, Place and Planet" and we got in touch with the bank's Communications Officer Nicki Renfrey to learn more about it.
Community Bank Maldon & District recently announced its BIG project. Can you tell us a little about it? We are offering up to $1m over five years to a project that brings big impact to our community. The project must fit our values of sustainability, integrity and connection and must also fit with our vision of thriving, sustainable and connected communities. Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will help bring ideas to us for what the community needs and wants. We hope for our BIG project to have a BIG community impact. We have a dream to partner with other providers to amplify the funding and amplify the impact.
What kind of projects are you looking to support and who can apply? Does the project have to be in Maldon? This is the reason for EOIs – because we don’t have all the answers! The project must benefit our Community Bank community - which is Maldon, Newstead and/or Dunolly but could stretch out to other Mount Alexander Shire towns too.
How are you able to offer this much support to the community? $1million is a lot of money! The beauty of a community bank is that our profits (from people who bank with our Maldon or Dunolly branches) go back to the community, in fact around 95% of our company profits find their way back to our community through projects, programs and events that we support. Since 1999 that totals over $3.8million so as a way of celebrating our 25th year in community banking, we wanted to do something even BIGGER.
What can local businesses, or individuals, do to support initiatives like this? (initiatives where profits from banking or other services are reinvested in our local community)? They can ask themselves if their current bank does enough for its community. If they aren’t happy with the answer, then give Community Bank Maldon & District a go – they provide Bendigo Bank products, local staff and are open Saturday mornings too.
If you have a BIG idea that you think will hit the mark, click below to read the project guidelines and submit an expression of interest.
Intro to Canva!
You'd like to lift your design game and think Canva might be the right tool, but you need a few pointers...
Castlemaine Community House is running a short course supporting businesses, community organisations and individuals to use this user-friendly online design platform. Sessions run over the five Fridays in August. Learn to create professional designs and gain an understanding of online marketing, newsletters and social media along the way.
When: Fridays in August 10.00am - 12.30pm
Where: 30 Templeton St Castlemaine
Cost: $72.50 full/ $52.50 concession
When: Friday 26 July 9 - 11am
Where: Shedshaker Brewing Taproom 9 Walker Street Castlemaine
Cost: $10 BMA member/ $15 non-member
Business Mount Alexander workshop with marketing expert John Hall
Business Mount Alexander is hosting a workshop next Friday with marketer John Hall (Cactus Country and The Paddock at Ulupna). John was a recent guest speaker at the recent Daylesford Macedon Tourism Conference where he inspired attendees with his tips and pointers for using AI in their daily business operations. He will show you simple hacks to increase efficiencies and to improve the effectiveness of your business. John's insight into the latest trends in social media are also worth learning.
Come along and be inspired, and open your mind to the possibilities of how AI can help your business.
2024 Regional Telecommunications Review
This Australian government review occurs every three years and is an opportunity to examine the existing and future telecommunication needs in regional, rural and remote communities across Australia. The committee wants your views on, and experiences with, connectivity in your area.
You can make a submission online or complete a short survey.
Submissions close 31 July.
CPR and First Aid at Castlemaine Community House
Are you or any of your staff qualified in CPR and first aid? If not, these courses offer a great opportunity to get up to speed with the latest certificates.
When: Tuesday 23 July
Where: 30 Templeton St Castlemaine
CPR (HLTAID009)
What time: 9 - 11am
Cost: $60
First Aid (HLTAID011), includes CPR
What time: 9am - 4pm
Cost: $150
Have you thought about becoming a sponsor of Castlemaine's local radio station?
With MainFM's annual Radiothon happening 19 - 27 July, it's a good moment to think about whether your business or organisation could benefit from some airtime. Sponsorships packages are available offering 30-second announcements for the ears of a loyal listenership base.
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.
Click here to add your own event.
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.