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6 November 2025
In this edition of Business Link - Maldon's recent storm, Council budget submissions open, 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, Castlemaine in the Good Food Guide, Maldon Inc AGM, Castlemaine State Festival board EOI and more.
Was your business affected by Monday evening’s hailstorm?
Council staff visited Maldon yesterday and identified 16 businesses that sustained varying levels of damage during Monday night’s hailstorm. At least four businesses were forced to close temporarily, while others experienced damage to stock, electrical equipment, or the buildings themselves.
Council is working to assess the full extent of the impact - if your business was affected, please get in touch.
You can access storm and flood resources if you were impacted - or to guide your business's preparation for these increasingly common events.
Photo credit: Bryan McMullan, Facebook
Your free Christmas ad in the Midland Express - last chance!
Midland Express will feature a full wrap to the outside of the Tuesday newspaper on 25 November – and you're invited to secure a free Christmas ad spot. The wrap will be showcasing local businesses, makers, and event organisers and we would love to see the advertising feature packed with our unique, handmade, local gift ideas, experience vouchers and more.
Click on the link below to email Lynda Brew, Sales Manager, with the below details:
- Business trading name & business address
- Contact name for ad approval
- Your email address & phone number
- What is the product or offer? This can be a gifting hero piece, a Christmas-focused product, an offer.
- 2-3 Images - please attach image file in your email – 2-3 images .jpeg or .tif format (high resolution) 300dpi
Deadline for your submission is tomorrow - 12pm, Friday 7 November 2025. The Midland Express will create your ad and send back for approval.
Council invites submissions to the 2026/2027 Budget
Council is calling on businesses to contribute their ideas and priorities for the upcoming 2026/2027 Budget.
The annual budget helps drive the new Council Plan and Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan by making sure there are resources available to achieve Council, business and community goals over the next four years.
The community submission process is now open, offering a chance for community members to propose projects or funding needs to be considered in the 2026/2027 Budget. Whether it's a new initiative or support for an existing program, this is an opportunity to influence what gets funded.
Submissions close on Friday 28 November.
Castlemaine Features in The Age Good Food Guide
The Age Good Food Guide 2026 was published last week and featured a page about Castlemaine featuring 22 eateries in town. With the Guide's reach a reported 1.59 million, it's great exposure for the shire. Congratulations to all the businesses mentioned.
Bar Midland took out the Victorian Award for Drinks List of the Year as well as retaining their hat - a fantastic recognition for them. A shout out to Love Shack, who were also a finalist in Pub of the Year, the only regional pub in the running.
16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Council is standing with the community to support 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global movement that calls for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and gender-diverse people. The international initiative runs 25 November - 10 December.
Respect Victoria has a range of ideas and a toolkit to get you started. Host an event or activation, share the message on social media, encourage conversation, and join the community walk on Wednesday 10 December at the Castlemaine Botanical Gardens.
Information and resources on gender-based violence will also be available in the foyer of the Castlemaine Library throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign.
Maldon Inc AGM coming up
Maldon's business association is holding its AGM soon. If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of the Maldon Inc committee, or would like to nominate for a position, get in touch below.
Castlemaine State Festival board member Expressions of Interest (EOI)
Help shape the future of Victoria’s premier regional multi-arts festival and newly relaunched community arts hub, Good Shed Arts. Entering its 50th anniversary year in 2026, the revitalised Castlemaine State Festival is seeking passionate and dedicated individuals to join the volunteer Board of Directors.
Applicants with experience in the arts sector, business, governance, finance, philanthropy or community development are welcomed.
Closing date: Thursday 13 November 2025 at 5pm.
Red Hill Hotel in Chewton for sale
Established in 1854, the Red Hill Hotel is one of Australia’s longest-serving pubs.
A renowned live music venue hosting local and international acts, Red Hill Hotel is ready for its next chapter. Whether you envision a café, brewery, distillery, or cultural hub, this is your chance to shape the future of a treasured community asset.
Mount Alexander Business Awards 2025 - last chance to buy tickets
Ticket sales close Sunday 9 November - do you have yours? Book your ticket and join us at Boomtown on Wednesday 19 November for a night of food, music and celebration!
Round 3 of Tiny Towns Fund now open
Regional Development Victoria's Tiny Towns Fund supports local communities to deliver quality tourism and community facility projects, such as splash parks and bike trails, playgrounds, community hall and library upgrades, public art and more.
The fund is open to applications from incorporated not-for-profit community organisations.
💲$5000 - $50,000 for each project
📅Applications close Wednesday 4 February
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.