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8 May 2025
In this edition of Business Link, tell us how you're taking climate action, learn about Maldon Inc's new strategic plan, join the next BMA business networking event, and access free in-person workshops and webinars.
Calling all businesses taking climate action!
Is your business a climate change-maker?
We want to share stories and steps that your business is taking on climate action and sustainability in the workplace.
Whether you’re embracing renewable energy, saving waste from going to landfill, using environmentally friendly products and materials, or developing ‘green’ policies, we’d love to celebrate your efforts with our community, whether big or small.
In June, we'll blitz print, radio and socials with your stories so we can be inspired and all learn from each other.
Get involved for your chance to ⭐WIN⭐ a $200 voucher to a local nursery.
Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative's purchase of The Hub - information sessions
Castlemaine Community Investment Co-operative is seeking to buy The Hub, the historical building in central Castlemaine, so that it remains community owned.
The Co-operative plans to own The Hub outright eventually, but needs members' help to get there, borrowing at agreed terms from members for the initial purchase. If you would like to learn more about this opportunity, attend an in-person information:
📍 Where: The Hub Garden, 233 Barker Street, Castlemaine 3450
📅 When: Saturday 10 May 2.00pm
Or jump on an online session:
- Tuesday 13 May 7.00pm
- Thursday 22 May 8.00pm
BMA social event at Wild Food & Wine
Business Mount Alexander (BMA) is hosting its next social event next week. Come along for food, drinks and good company.
Hear from Daylesford Macedon Tourism about upcoming changes to the tourism regions, which will see Mount Alexander move from Bendigo Tourism to a new partnership with Goldfields, Macedon and Hepburn Shires. You'll also get an update from Castlemaine Co-op on their plans to purchase the Hub as a community-owned asset.
📍 Where: Wild Food and Wine - 26 Templeton Street, Castlemaine Vic 3450
📅 Date: Wednesday 14 May
⏰ Time: 5.30 - 8.00pm
Maldon Inc releases new strategic plan
We got in touch with Bruce Turner, the Interim Chair of Maldon Inc (MINC) recently to learn more about their newly released Strategic Plan 2025+.
MINC is a voluntary organisation that has been representing, promoting and advocating for Maldon businesses for more than 25 years. Over 80 businesses and organisations form the basis of its membership.
Prior to COVID, a comprehensive Tarrengower Community Plan 2021 was released that identified pathways for the future of the Tarrengower community, which at its heart includes the historic township of
Maldon. One of the pathways identified was “Our Local Economy”.
Under a reformed MINC it was agreed that a plan was needed to address the challenge of how best to address and advance “Our Local Economy”. With the funding support of members, Council, Community Bank Maldon and District, Tarrengower Times and many others, The Strategic Plan 2025+ has been developed for this purpose.
The Plan focuses on advocating and promoting the businesses of Maldon, developing collaborative partnerships with those organisations that can help and support, while at the same time operating within a sound and sustainable framework. In developing the Plan the MINC Committee was very conscious of its own limitations as a voluntary organisation, and so partnering with other organisations and groups is a priority.
Recent successful initiatives have included the MaldON campaign, the Winter Festival and buy local campaign.
Businesses with an ABN who are located in and around Maldon are most welcome to join MINC. Benefits include a listing on the Maldon Inc website and an introductory welcome pack.
StartUp Central Victoria Pre-Accelerator Program 2025
Expressions of interest (EOIs) are now open for the 2025 program. If you’ve got a great business start-up idea in any sector then take advantage of this free 13-week program. You will be connected with likeminded people, experienced business mentors and professional services in the region who offer their services pro-bono. Aspiring entrepreneurs from Mount Alexander shire are encouraged to apply. Scope your idea out and test if it is viable in a safe, supportive and confidential environment.
Circular Economy webinars with Sustainability Victoria
Join Sustainability Victoria and guests for a deep dive into the delivery of circular economy projects at the community level, the principles of which are useful for businesses too. You'll hear from speakers and learn how some innovative groups are upcycling, reusing and redistributing resources – all while benefiting local communities and people. Over three webinar sessions, learn how to get a project off the ground through the lens of the three circular economy principles. Local compost legends Yimby feature in the first session!
- Circulate materials at their highest value
Wednesday 14 May 12.00 - 1.15pm - Eliminate waste and pollution
Wednesday 28 May 12.00 - 1.15pm - Regenerate natural systems
Wednesday 11 June 12.00 - 1.15pm
LinkedIn workshop - for regional professionals
Hosted by Be.Bendigo, hear from LinkedIn expert Sue Ellson about how professionals in a regional area of Australia can utilise LinkedIn's power to gain better access to local, regional and international markets by tweaking their activity.
In this interactive and practical event you will learn how to attract opportunities, network and gain referrals and track relevant statistics.
📍 Where: Discovery Science and Technology Centre - 7 Railway Place, Bendigo VIC 3550
📅 Date: Thursday 15 May
⏰ Time: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Central Goldfields Village Business Expo - Friday 9 May
Book a last-minute ticket to tomorrow's Village Business Expo – a vibrant regional event designed to bring together over 200 business owners, industry leaders and decision-makers from across the region.
📍 Location: Maryborough Harness Club
📅 Date: Friday 9 May
⏰ Time: 11:00am - 4:00pm
Nurturing talent and diversity for innovation - workshop
This free workshop is hosted by Seed2STEM Bendigo and the City of Greater Bendigo's WINTR network and facilitated by Dr Heather Round from Deakin University. It is an interactive workshop exploring how leaders can set up the work environment in order to attract talented individuals, to embrace diversity, nurture talent, build trust and drive innovative outcomes.
📍 Where: City of Greater Bendigo, Level 1, 195-229 Lyttleton Terrace
📅 Date: Tuesday 13 May
⏰ Time: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Free Webinar - Australia’s Low Carbon Future: What you need to know to compete & succeed
An informative webinar designed to help businesses navigate Australia’s evolving mandatory emissions reporting landscape.
This 45-minute session is presented by Green2View, an Australian technology company specializing in ESG sustainability performance, compliance and reporting.
Gather valuable insights into regulatory requirements; potential impacts on business; learn ways to capitalise on ‘green’ opportunities arising from this expanding framework, and discuss tools and strategies to ensure your business remains competitive and thrives.
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.
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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.