In this edition of Business Link - Governor of Victoria tour, new training courses and workshops announced plus additional funding for farmers impacted by drought.
No images? Click here
18 July 2025
In this edition of Business Link - Governor of Victoria tour, new training courses and workshops announced plus additional funding for farmers impacted by drought.
Mount Alexander Shire businesses welcome the Governor of Victoria
This week, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner, Governor of Victoria toured Mount Alexander Shire to get to know our communities, and to better understand the breadth of issues and priorities affecting our region. Her visit included a roundtable with local business owners, a visit to Harcourt Cider, Don KR and our much-loved Victorian Goldfields Railway.
The Governor toured Harcourt Cider's factory space and store and the visit wrapped up with a cider tasting so the Governor could experience the quality product firsthand.
Thank you to all the businesses and community organisations who made the Governor feel so welcome.
Castlemaine Community House announces new courses for business
Castlemaine Community House is offering a range of course designed for business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. These include:
In the Microbusiness for Makers course participants will be guided through the process of creating a successful and resilient creative business. And have the opportunity to learn from local Small Business owner Thomas Vandaele, the Owner and Director of Cabosse and Feve Chocolates. Thomas will work through the process of developing a business plan, explain basic accountancy skills, product development and marketing strategies.
Nominate a Small Business Champion
Do you know someone who deserves to be a 2025 Small Business Champion?
Is there a person, business or organisation making waves in the Mount Alexnader shire small business community? Someone whose work, advocacy or leadership deserves national recognition? If so, nominate them for the COSBOA National Small Business Champion Award!
📅 Nominations close Friday 25 July 2025.
🏆 Winner announced at the COSBOA National Small Business Summit Gala Dinner on 19 August in Melbourne.
Micro and Small Business Day
A huge thank you to the event organising committee, partners, speakers, hosts, exhibitors, mentors and visitors who contributed to making the shire's inaugural Micro and Small Business Day a wonderful day.
The program offered over 20 sessions designed to support micro and small businesses at every stage of their journey — from starting out and securing funding to marketing strategy, business structures, managing growth, and planning for exit.
Do you have ideas or requests for future small business training and events in the shire?
Free Castlemaine Strategic Financial Planning workshop
Daylesford Macedon Tourism is hosting a free ‘Strategic Financial Planning for Growth’ workshop in Castlemaine. Equip your tourism business with better financial management tools and learn about revenue optimisation in this 4-hour workshop including a light lunch delivered by Tamie Matthews of Revenyou.
📅 Tuesday 22 July 2025
⏰ 10am - 2pm
📍 Castlemaine Senior Citizens Centre Mechanics La, Castlemaine VIC 3450
Additional funds to support farmers impacted by drought
The Victorian Government has announced an additional $75 million drought support package. This includes:
- $5.9 million for mental health services, debt mediation and technical support
- Farm Drought Support Grants of up to $5,000
- Technical advice and workshops
- ‘Look Over the Farm Gate’ grants of up to $5,000 for community-led wellbeing events
- Fast-tracked biosecurity permits for interstate fodder movement
Information sessions for local Tourism Businesses
Join the Daylesford Macedon Tourism (DMT) team at upcoming information sessions in Maldon and Castlemaine. These individualised sessions are an opportunity to discover how DMT can support your business, find out what’s on the horizon, and share your own projects and ideas.
- Learn about the Visitor Economy Partnership (VEP) Transition and what it means for you
- Branding update – where are DMT at – for the new VEP
- • New DMT Consumer Website Update
- Industry Support – Training Opportunities
- Marketing opportunities for the region – Media Kit
- The Importance or Partnership – and what it means for the region and visitor economy
Book a time via link below to review your marketing strategy with Annissa White from DMT Marketing
📅 Thursday 31st July 2025
⏰ 10 – 12pm (last appointment 11.30am)
📍 Maldon Visitor Information Centre, 93 High St, Maldon
📅 Thursday 31st July 2025
⏰ 1-4pm (last appointment 3.30pm)
📍 Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre, 44 Mostyn St, Castlemaine
Skilled Migration Information Sessions
Is your business experiencing skill shortages? Have you considered employing an overseas worker?
This is an opportunity to learn about employer sponsored visa options for your business. Join the Business, Industry and Regional Outreach engagement team from the Department of Home Affairs to discuss visa pathways.
📅 Wednesday 20 August 2025
⏰ 2pm – 3pm
📍 The Capital, 50 View Street, Bendigo
Changes to liquor licences and outdoor dining planning requirements
From 1 July 2025, businesses only need to apply to Liquor Control Victoria (LCV) for a liquor licence — council approval is no longer required.
Further, the reforms will make it easier for hospitality businesses to introduce outdoor dining. Temporary changes made during the pandemic removing the need for a planning permit have been made permanent, allowing more venues to serve customers outdoors in underutilised spaces such as streets and footpaths.
To check what permits are required for your business visit: Permit finder | Mount Alexander Shire Council
Business changes from 1 July 2025
On Tuesday 1 July 2025, important changes that small businesses should be aware of came into effect. These include changes to the National Minimum Wage, registration fees, superannuation, energy bill rebates and reporting obligations for business owners.
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.
Follow us on social media
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.