To our Maribyrnong Business Community, 

Tis the season to be jolly and super prepared for the fun and festive madness that comes with this time of year!

However you spend the next couple of days, be sure to plan your days wisely, rest when you can and soak up the sights and sounds of Christmas in the community. If you are looking for something to do with the family you can find a range of interactive activities such as the 'MARIality' app which is bringing local street art to life.  Learn more about this and other activities on the Love Your Local website.

This is the final bulletin for 2021 and we will be back in the new year with more news and support for our wonderful business community. If you have any questions, comments or queries, please email business@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Best wishes for a wonderful festive season filled with good health, fun and laughter.
Economic Development Team, Maribyrnong City Council

The latest and final episode of How the West is #1 Business Podcast Series for 2021 is an absolute ripper! 

Dianne Louka, founder of Dianne's Dips in Braybrook started her business from home on her own in 1981 and now has three generations of the family working with her in her business!

Since 1981, Dianne has been supplying fresh dips and dolmades to local restaurants and cafes and also owns market stalls at Vic and Prahran Markets.

A mother of 5, originally from Cyprus, Dianne created the business as a source of income when her kids were small.

As they grew, they have all been welcomed into the business, with her daughters working in the factory with Dianne, and her sons working in the family-owned delicatessens. Dianne and her daughter Maria explain what a tight family they are, their pride in their delicious food, all made from Dianne's original and traditional recipes that are more than 40 years old, and how they have seen the area change over the past few decades

This is a compelling and inspiring story about running a successful family business from humble beginnings. You do not want to miss this!  

Listen to the Podcast now

The Australian Taxation Office has a free webinar series for small business, split into different session topics that cover both general and industry specific areas of tax obligations. 

These webinars also include topics for those running a home based business, becoming an employer and how to close a business. 

Register Now
Applications for Energy Efficient Communities Food and Beverage Manufacturing Business Grant Program will open on 12 January 2022. 

The $19.9 million program will provide grants to support small and medium sized food and beverage manufacturing businesses to improve energy efficiency practices and technologies to manage energy consumption to reduce their power bills. The minimum grant amount is $10,000 and the maximum grant is $25,000.

Read more here

Partners In Wellbeing is a FREE government-funded initiative developed by the Department of Health (DH) and Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions (DJPR) to support Victorian small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Finding support when you need it is always important. The Partners in Wellbeing helpline is supporting small businesses across Victoria via three pathways:


  • Wellbeing coaching
  • Financial counselling
  • Business advice

Discover how the Partners in Wellbeing program can support you and your business. 

You've heard it right, the rumours are true.

 Over the past 5 years the team behind Start, Now has helped over 2,000 people take an idea, test it, validate it and scale it into fully functioning businesses. And because of this, we have partnered with LaunchVic to help more early stage founders take the leap though our very own pre-accelerator program that's running Victoria wide - and for free! 💸

 If you have an idea that has:

 🚀 high growth potential

📱technology as a key component of the idea

👍 a can-do attitude

We want to hear from you! 

Learn More 

Work functions are a great way to celebrate and thank your staff for their hard work. But remember that while your staff may be 'off the clock', you're probably still responsible for their health and safety.

Check out our tips to party safely

Over the Christmas and New Year period Council offices will be closed for the three public holidays – Monday 27 December, Tuesday 28 December 2021 and Monday 3 January 2022. Otherwise as normal:

  • From Monday 20 December to Thursday 23 December 2021 Customer Service will be open from 8.30am to 5pm.
  • On Wednesday 29 December to Friday 31 December 2021 Customer Service will be open from 8.30am to 5pm
  • From Tuesday 4 January 2022 normal business hours will resume at 8:30am to 5pm

Customer Service will open from 8.30am to 12pm on Christmas Eve (Friday 24 December) and be closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. For more information about Council services during the festive period, visit Council's Website

For business support during this time, email business@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au