Welcome to the April 2021 edition of the Moyne Business e-newsletter.

This month's edition features information on COVIDSafe settings, the new Jobs Victoria Fund and other State and Federal Government assistance packages. You will also find upcoming events and short courses, local business support, news and more.

If you would like any further information on any of the articles, or would like your business profiled, please contact the Economic Development and Tourism team on the contact details provided below.
From 6pm on Friday 26 March 2021, Victoria has further relaxed its COVIDSafe settings. Onsite work are no longer capped for both public and private sectors. All businesses must ensure their work places are CovidSafe.
For more information visit  the Victorian Government Coronavirus website - COVIDSafe-settings
Information on Council services are available from Council's website - here as well as news and information from our Facebook page.

The Jobs Victoria Fund is providing $250 million in wage subsidies to assist Victorian businesses to employ at least 10,000 people who are looking for work.

The Fund will support employers to grow and recover while helping Victorians looking for work into steady jobs.

If you are a Victorian employer ready to take on new staff, the Jobs Victoria Fund can financially support you with a subsidy of up to $20,000 to employ people who have been most affected by the economic impacts of the pandemic.

You can apply for a wage subsidy for up to 20 full time equivalent employees depending on the size of your business.

At least 60 per cent of jobs supported by the Jobs Victoria Fund will be for women, reflecting the significant impact the pandemic has had on their employment opportunities.

Applications to the Jobs Victoria Fund are now open.  To find out more visit - Jobs Victoria website

The Victorian Government’s Agriculture Energy Investment Plan provides $30 million to support agricultural businesses to reduce energy costs, improve energy efficiency and explore alternative energy options, helping to sustain Victoria's adaptable and internationally competitive agriculture sector.

The plan is open to farmers and businesses whose primary operation is in the agriculture sector, and is made up of:
  • Assessments
  • Grants
  • Demonstrations
  • Skills and education
  • Research
Learn more about the plan and what you may be eligible for at the Agriculture Victoria website

Is your business making the most of digital technology? You could be benefiting from online tools that help make your business stand out, attract and keep customers, improve your cash flow and be more productive.

Join the Small Business Digital Adaptation Program now to trial a range of digital products and access free digital adaptation training and workshops to help your business adopt and implement online tools.

After you purchase a digital product from a participating provider, you can apply for a rebate of $1,200 to access the product for 12 months

To find more more and to join the program visit - Business Victoria website

Applications close 30 June 2021.

The Boosting Female Founders Initiative (the Initiative) commenced in 2020 to provide targeted support to female founders of startups to scale into domestic and global markets. The Initiative will also provide expert mentoring and advice to meritorious applicants.

The Australian Government has announced a total of $52.2 million in grant funding for this Initiative. For Round 2, an estimated $11.6 million in grant funding is available. Eligible applicants can apply for a grant between $25,000 and $400,000.

To be eligible for the Initiative, applicants must be able to demonstrate that their startup is majority (at least 51%) women owned and led. Eligible expressions of interest will be reviewed by an independent assessment committee and shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application. Further details of the application process and eligibility criteria can be found in the program opportunity guidelines.

Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Round 2 of the Boosting Female Founders Initiative are open until 22 April 2021.  For more information visit - Visit business.gov.au/BFF

To help more Australian businesses who want to sell their products overseas, the new Austrade export services gives you access to easy to navigate export help, market insights and advice online. 

Learn the basics of exporting, assess whether you’re ready to export and find the right market for your products.

For more information, please click here

The Rural Financial Counselling Service is your local provider with counsellors working across Victoria’s western region.

Rural financial counsellors and small business financial counsellors are a great resource for your farm or small business operation. They’re based in the regions they work in and understand local conditions and communities.

Financial counsellors can help with:

  • understanding your financial position
  • Identifying and exploring options
  • Accessing grants and government support
  • Negotiating with banks, creditors or insurance providers
  • Planning for the next months and for the future

RFCS WSW takes a holistic approach to financial counselling. A well-being counsellor is available to ensure anyone working with a financial counsellor is fully supported.

Appointments with a financial counsellor are always free of charge.

Get to know your local RFCS. Call 1300 735 578 or visit www.wswrcs.com.au.

Are you looking for a bright and comfortable space to get some work done and potentially meet likeminded people? Or a place for a meeting, host a workshop or event, meet a client or hold a video conference?

The Hive at South West TAFE in Warrnambool is a modern and versatile hub supporting entrepreneurial activity, businesses, events, meetings and community collaboration!

Professionally cleaned 3 times a day, The Hive features hot desks, meeting rooms, fast Wi-Fi internet, photocopying facilities, a collaborative space with interactive display and whiteboards, lockers and access to great food and coffee.

Residents of Moyne Shire are invited to come and try The Hive for free. Offer includes hot desk use and Wi-Fi from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday until 31 December 2021. Offer limited to one free visit per person residing in Moyne Shire. To claim offer, please email Paul at thehive@swtafe.edu.au or call 5564 8814.

For more information and photos look up The Hive on Facebook and Instagram or visit www.swtafe.edu.au/the-hive
Do you have an event coming up? Let the Port Fairy & Region Visitor Information Service know!
The What's On  weekly visitor newsletter was created with the visitor in mind, giving accommodation & local eateries the opportunity to value add to the visitor experience.  The newsletter is emailed out to almost 400 registered users and shared via Facebook & Instagram. If you have an event you would like to add, please send an email to - vic@moyne.vic.gov.au by 2pm on the Wednesday prior to the event, following the below guidelines:  
  • Must be relevant to Visitors coming into the Moyne Shire
  • Organisation name
  • Include a short description (less than 25 Words)
  • Date / time of event
  • Event Location
  • Post must be submitted Monday – Wednesday
  • Contact name, Phone and or web address link.
Your event can also be listed for FREE on the ATDW (Australian Tourism Data Warehouse), Visit Great Ocean Road What’s On and Visit Victoria What’s On

Below are a list of some of the workshops and trainings currently available. If you're seeking training in another business topic, Upskill My Business has a range of other courses for you to explore.


AGRIFOOD EVOLUTION PROGRAM - GREAT SOUTH COAST
Applications are open for the Great South Coast Agrifood Evolution Program, a 12 week Seeds of Growth course that will equip you with the foundational skills and tools to transform your ideas into revenue generating business.

Agri-food is the heart of the Great South Coast Victoria region and has been identified as one of the key long-term growth sectors promoting the region as a regional centre of excellence for food production. This program is about exploring, enhancing and capitalising on the potential of the region as a diverse food production region by building capacity in its agri-food entrepreneurs.

This initiative, proudly supported by Council and other GSC Councils in partnership Food Innovation Australia Limited, Beanstalk, Wimmera Development Association, offers weekly masterclass workshops, mentoring and networking to help advance your business.

With only 12 spaces available and a registration fee of $100, this is your perfect opportunity to build your business and realise your next growth horizon.

For more information and to register, visit - https://agrifoodevolution.thinkific.com/courses/seedsofgrowth

Application close Sunday 25 April.


FEELING OVERWHELMED AND OUT OF COUNTROL?
Join this day-long masterclass and create your own pathway from overwhelm to a new sense of calm.

Delivered by an experienced life and leadership coach, this masterclass is for any woman who is ready to wrest back control of her ’to do’ list and her life.

In a small group setting, you'll explore the power of mindset in overcoming the chaos in your life and emerge with strategies to apply right away for a more peaceful, productive and enriched life.

Date: Friday 7 May, 2021
Time: 9am-3.30pm
Venue: BIG4 Port Fairy
Bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/overcoming-overwhelm-masterclass-tickets-146701765931

Numbers strictly limited.

LOOKING FOR A WIDER BUSINESS NETWORK?

Join the Business Victoria Facebook page -
I am a small business owner in Victoria, Australia - and connect with over 20,000 members of Victoria's small business community. Click on the link to join the community today -
https://m.facebook.com/groups/businessvic

The Australian Defence Veterans’ Covenant serves to recognise and acknowledge the unique nature of military service and the contribution of veterans and their families. The Covenant is supported by the Veteran Card, Lapel Pin and Oath. These provide the opportunity for Australians to identify veterans when they are not in uniform or wearing their medals, and offer respect to them and their family. The Covenant provides the framework that enables veterans and their families to better connect with their community.

Your business is invited to commit your support for the Covenant. This commitment could be in the form of a percentage discount on retail goods and services, either in-store or online, however any support is appreciated and the benefit to be offered is entirely at your business’s discretion.

Businesses who wish to support the Covenant through offering services or benefits are encouraged to sign up as an Australian Partner of Defence (APOD) Partner on the APOD website. As an APOD partner you will be promoting the goodwill of your business and building customer loyalty and increased sales.

If you require any further information on the Covenant and Veterans’ Recognition, please visit https://recognition.dva.gov.au/  or contact vetscard@dva.gov.au.

Did you know over 370 Moyne Shire business owners have already created a Localised profile, joining a network of over 700 people in business across the Great South Coast region? And it keeps on growing.

Localised provides a fantastic bunch of features to help your business market to a hyper-engaged local audience, as well as doing wonders for your SEO, helping your business get found on Google.

Are you an Expert?
Articles help you build your brand and get more customers. Write an article about a business topic you know your customers and prospective customers will value. Localised will showcase your expertise to the network of hundreds of local businesses in the site and via fortnightly digests directly to member’s inboxes. View latest articles here - https://greatsouthcoast.localised.com.au/articles/

Got your own news to share?
What’s been happening in your business? If you’ve got good news, then the Noticeboard is the perfect way to share your business news, updates, new appointments, milestones, new clients and awards. Have a sneak peak of the noticeboard here - https://greatsouthcoast.localised.com.au/news/

So, what are you waiting for?
Put your business in front of your local business network: Whether you're looking to promote, connect, or discover ways to grow your business, if you do business in Moyne, you need to get Localised. To get started visit -  https://greatsouthcoast.localised.com.au/moyne/

For further information about our service or if you need help with accessing any of the resources provided, please contact Council's Economic Development and Tourism Team on 1300 656 564 or general inquiries can be emailed to ecodev@moyne.vic.gov.au