29 August 2024

In this newsletter – celebrate the success of a local business, take part in a survey for regional tourism businesses, read about an nbn grant opportunity and learn about EnviroShop Newstead.

Long Paddock Cheese WINS!

Castlemaine-based Long Paddock Cheese has won the From the Dairy category in the  2024 Harvey Norman delicious. Produce Awards. The annual Produce Awards focus on Australia’s best producers – the people who grow, cultivate, harvest and catch the produce supplied to the country’s leading chefs and hospitality venues.

Long Paddock Cheese won from a strong field of seven businesses producing dairy products nationwide. The team has deliberately chosen to make and sell products that are not similar to other Australian cheeses, showing the skill of the French-trained cheesemakers and using high quality certified organic cow’s milk from a single family-owned farm – French technique meets Australian terroir.

Two of the cheeses impressed the panel of judges – the gooey, bark-wrapped Vacherin Mont d’Or-style Driftwood, and the semi-firm Raclette-inspired Banksia. 

Innovate with nbn Grants Program

This annual grant program is offered by nbn in partnership with the Regional Australia Institute. Now in its fifth year, it is designed to support regional and remote businesses. There are seven categories – indigenous business, education, agriculture, women in regional business, health, tourism and arts.

If you run a digital business that lives and breathes technology, and are harnessing the benefits of the nbn network to enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society, then consider applying for this grant.

How much: the winner in each category wins $15,000, and an additional $20,000 is available for the ‘Innovate with nbn Champion award’.
Closing date: 29 September

Local Spotlight – EnviroShop Newstead

We met with Frank Forster from EnviroShop Newstead a few weeks back to learn more about this local business.

Can you tell us a little about the business? 

EnviroShop Newstead promotes and facilitates energy efficient, all-electric homes, businesses and vehicles. We deliberately choose to work with suppliers of high quality products and components to ensure our customers can benefit from high performing and long lasting systems and we support our customers with a range of monitoring, advice and service support. For new builds and major renovations we work closely with architects, designers, builders and other tradespeople to advise on energy efficient systems and to supply key components. We rely on customer referrals and testimonials for our primary marketing and promotion.

Which of your products/services are currently attracting the most interest? 

Of most interest currently are solar PV systems and battery storage, largely driven by:

• The end of the premium feed in tariff for older solar systems.
• The push to switch from gas appliances to efficient electric alternatives.
• The uptake of electric vehicles.

What advice would you give to small business owners considering switching to renewable energy solutions or using more sustainable products?

The key principles are:

• Understanding your energy usage.
• Checking your electricity plan and tariffs.
• Focusing on self-consumption of your renewable energy.
• Considering electrification of your motor vehicles.
• Work with local, experienced suppliers who can provide proper technical advice, monitoring, backup and support.

What strategies have you used to attract clients, and which have been the most effective? 

We principally rely on word of mouth and referrals for our advertising and promotion. In addition we regularly appear at local sustainability festivals, forums and community workshops etc.

Thanks Frank!

Business Capability Survey for Regional Tourism Businesses

The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) has engaged Deloitte to assess the capability levels of regional tourism businesses. To inform the analysis, Deloitte is conducting a survey of tourism businesses to better understand capabilities across a wide range of areas. 

The information gathered will be a critical input to support the design of future capability building programs. Responses are confidential, and data is supplied to the DJSIR in aggregate. Your participation will be hugely valuable.

If you have any questions relating to the survey, please contact the project Director Joanne Tay at jotay@deloitte.com.au or Hala Abbouchi at DJSIR at hala.abbouchi@ecodev.vic.gov.au.

Complete the survey by 6 September.

Live Webinars with Business Victoria

The latest crop of FREE webinars are up on the Business Victoria website. Learn new skills to start, build and grow your small business. Upcoming sessions:

• 10 September Starting your Small Business – learn the essentials of establishing a small business and planning for success.
• 12 September Social Media and Content Marketing – reach your customers by creating compelling marketing content for social media.
• 19 September Maximising Your Marketing – essentials for successful marketing: customers, competitors, branding, and your unique selling proposition.

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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.