25 June 2026

In this edition of Business Link - a new grant program for local businesses, Council's new CEO, Coffee with the Boss, and lots of free training. 

Council announces new Wellbeing Economy Business Fund

Local businesses do more than trade - they employ locals, shape our town centres, and connect with hundreds of customers every week. That's why Mount Alexander Shire Council has allocated monies to a new Wellbeing Economy Business Fund in the 2026/27 Budget. When Council invests in local businesses, the whole community benefits.

Building on the Local Impact Business Grants from 2025/26, the fund backs small, practical projects that leave something lasting behind - new skills, shared tools, stronger networks, or more welcoming and accessible business spaces. Projects that keep money local, open doors for more people to participate in economic life, and help businesses care for Country and reduce waste.

Individual businesses, trader groups, farmer networks, business associations, social enterprises, and First Nations organisations are all encouraged to apply when the new business grants program opens on 21 September 2026. Stay tuned for further details and start thinking about your idea now.

Mount Alexander Shire Council appoints new Chief Executive Officer

Council has appointed Michael Annear as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 20 July 2026. With more than 30 years’ experience across local government and international humanitarian organisations, Michael has played a key role in strengthening planning, funding and community engagement since joining Council in 2021. His appointment follows a comprehensive recruitment process aimed at securing strong, stable leadership for the shire. 

Michael has a proven track record in strategic delivery and a deep understanding of local priorities, positioning the organisation to continue supporting a thriving, resilient community.

H5 bird flu - what to look out for

With the recent detection of H5 bird flu in Western Australia and now South Australia, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working closely with industry, wildlife experts and land managers to maintain preparedness arrangements. This includes monitoring for early signs of the virus in wildlife and poultry and developing mitigation strategies to help protect high-risk species.

The state government is asking all Victorians to report clusters of five or more sick or dead birds, and also even a single unusual case of death involving higher-risk species including pelicans, birds of prey such as hawks, owls and eagles, black swans, or marine animals. Poultry farmers, veterinarians, bird breeders and owners of pet birds or backyard chickens should report any suspected disease.

Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or report via the website agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu 

Practical actions to increase your cyber resilience

Five Eyes cyber security agencies heads have released a call to action, noting that cyber resilience is integral to advancing business continuity, market confidence, and long-term value. Take these actions in your business now to reduce exposure, strengthen resilience, and build confidence with customers, partners, and investors.

1. Reduce your attack surface
2. Accelerate patching processes:
3. Address legacy systems
4. Review and strengthen identity and access controls
5. Prepare for incidents before they happen

Victoria's startup ecosystem enters a new phase of maturity

State startup agency LaunchVic has published the Victoria Startup Ecosystem Mapping 2025 report. This report builds on data gathered over the past decade and shows Victoria’s startup ecosystem has rapidly matured, with strong growth in new firms, deeper investment activity and a rising number of high‑value companies.

The sector has expanded significantly, with 2,811 firms in 2025, up 48% since 2020. Melbourne is now one of the world’s fastest‑growing startup cities, supported by a steady pipeline of new entrants and an expanding group of successful scaleups and unicorns. Employment and founder participation have increased significantly, with a more diverse workforce and stronger founder experience feeding into the ecosystem.

Coffee with the Boss

Looking for staff? Coffee with the Boss introduces job seekers to employers in a more relaxed and informal way than a traditional job interview.

This upcoming event is being widely promoted to senior secondary school students, tertiary students and the wider public. The event is a relaxed environment for employers and job seekers to network and explore aspirations and opportunities. Please register as an employer if you’d like to come.

📅Tuesday 7 July 2026
⏱️3.00pm - 5.00pm
📍1887 Cafe, Bendigo TAFE, 132 - 160 McCrae St, Bendigo, VIC 3550

Look Over the Farm Gate program extension

This program is administered by the National Centre for Farmer Health for the Victorian government. It empowers local organisations with connections to the agriculture industry or farming community to deliver events and initiatives tailored to their unique needs. Non-profits, private businesses and service providers connected to the agriculture industry or local farming communities are all eligible to apply. The focus is on activities that support mental wellbeing and bring farmers, farming families and others in rural communities together - whether through capacity-building mental health initiatives or other creative ideas - reflecting the diversity of the communities they serve.

💲Amounts between $1,500 to $5,000 per eligible event are available
📅Applications now close 30 June 2026. Activities to be completed by 30 September 2026

Future Drought Fund's Small Network Grants

The federally-funded $1 million Small Network Grants program is designed to support agriculture-dependent communities. It supports not-for-profit organisations in remote, rural and regional Australia to develop and deliver local projects or initiatives that will broadly result in strengthened social capital, wellbeing and connectedness to prepare for and build social resilience to drought.

💲Amounts up to $50,000 per eligible project
📅Applications close 30 June 2026

Australia Post Community Grants Program closes soon

This program supports local community organisations to deliver projects that connect people, to improve mental wellbeing in local communities. Grants of up to $10,000 are available.

Australia Post is also offering grants, with a total funding pool of $250,000, to support disaster-impacted communities across Australia. These funds will be dedicated to projects that enhance mental wellbeing by fostering connection and building resilience within communities recovering from a natural disaster or a major storm event.

📅Applications close Monday 6 July 2026

Business Victoria free live webinars 

Starting Your Small Business
For small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to build a solid base for their business. You will create a business outline to help showcase your products or services, and a step-by-step action plan to guide your journey from idea to launch.

📅Monday 13 July 2026, 5.30pm - 8.30pm

Social Media and Content Marketing - Live Webinar
For business owners who want to master social media and create compelling content. You will create a social media and content marketing plan to attract more customers and help drive your business goals. 

📅Thursday 9 July 2026, 1.00pm - 3.00pm

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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.