Whilst the Port Fairy Folk Festival returns this weekend, the streets will be abuzz with lots of local market stalls and food vendors, busking, live music and performers!  

Moyne Shire Council is pleased to partner with Port Fairy Tourism to put on the inaugural Port Fairy Street Fair. A family-friendly event featuring Silent Disco and Walking Tours, kids games and activities, art installations and more! So please join us, support your local businesses and visit the Street Fair from Friday 11 March through to Monday 14 March. For more information, visit www.iamportfairy.com.au/street-fair

Are you working in tourism – hospitality, accommodation, tours, attractions or events? Come along and learn the skills to get your Social Media working for your business!

Beginner and Intermediate workshops designed to help people working in the tourism industry to build their skills in social media marketing.

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism has partnered with Tourism Tribe to offer FREE social media training workshops in Port Fairy and Colac.

Social Media Made Simple (Beginners)

Tuesday, 5 April, 10.30am (90min)
at Port Fairy Bowls Club 

  • The benefits of social media for your business
  • Create and launch an effective social media marketing plan
  • How to use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Google My Business

Social Media for Tourism (Intermediate)

Details:
Tuesday, 5 April, 1.30pm 
at Port Fairy Bowls Club 

  • Storytelling through content
  • Managing and protecting your online reputation
  • How to use your social media efforts to increase traffic to your website and convert bookings

This event is co-hosted by Port Fairy Tourism Association.
Register for the Workshops here

The Small Business Energy Saver Program provides business owners with a significant discount on energy saving devices and, in some cases, may cover up to 100% of the full equipment and installation cost. 

A professional consultant will identify the equipment in your business that is costly to operate and recommend the best upgrades for you. The exact amount your business will need to pay for an approved energy efficiency improvement will depend on the type of energy upgrades undertaken. On average, each business could receive a discount of about $2000 for eligible equipment upgrades.

Find out more or speak with your local program expert to answer your questions about the Small Business Energy Saver Program. 

The Solar for Business program will cover up to 50 percent of the installation of the cost of a rooftop solar system with small businesses eligible for rebates of up to $3,500. 

Small businesses will be able to apply for rebates through Solar Victoria from late May this year. 

Victorian small businesses can now join the thousands of households that have become part of the government’s Solar Homes Program. Over the next three years, businesses can apply to reduce upfront costs of the installation of an approved solar system.

Find out more and apply at Go Solar.

Being in business is a risk, and not all risk can be managed. The more you try to manage risk, the less focus you have on your business, and that will eventually have a negative impact. In short, focusing too much on reducing risk is a risk itself.

Every business is subject to possible losses from unmanaged risks. Sound risk management should reduce the business impact if a negative event occurs.

Risk management starts with identifying possible threats or risks, considering their likelihood, assessing your risk appetite and implementing processes to minimise or negate them.

Sound risk management can have many benefits including:
  • lowering insurance premiums
  • reducing the chance that the business may be the target of legal action
  • reducing cash or stock losses
  • reducing business downtime

To find out more information Risk Management Guide for Small to Medium Businesses

Many businesses are facing skills shortages and are seeking to improve their practices of how to attract new and diverse talent. 

All Victorian workplaces have a responsibility to ensure they are safe, fair, and do not discriminate. Yet, some workers are not paid equally for their work. As business owners and operators it is important that you learn and understand your workplace responsibilities. Business Victoria recommends the following 5 steps to help you do this: 

1.       Understand the concept of equal pay

2.       Learn your legal obligations

3.       Define your organisation’s values

4.       Connect with your professional networks

5.       Participate in a workshop

Learn more

The Victorian Government has announced a $200 million stimulus package to help businesses recover from the impacts of the Omicron wave, with business support programs and voucher schemes for the hospitality, tourism and entertainment sectors. 


The package includes:

  • A new and extended $100 million voucher scheme, with rebates to Victorians for entertainment, dining and travel. 
  • $60m Ventilation Voucher Program to help small business owners purchase equipment and upgrades to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace and improve customer confidence
  • $34.2m to place workers in over 1,500 jobs across hospitality, warehousing and logistics, tourism and food processing. 
  • $5m to offer rebates so businesses can access rebates of up to $1,200 for a range of digital tools
  • An extension of the Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring Program

For more information on the package and when each program opens, visit www.vic.gov.au/business-stimulus-package


WestVic Dairy currently have a range of events coming up that can help you when it comes to looking after the ‘people’ aspect of your farm business.

Stepping Up, Stepping Back

The Hallyburton family has generously offered to host this session on their Jancourt East property. Succession expert Chris Hibburt will facilitate the day that looks at how those wanting to step back from day-to-day operations can do so, whilst at the same time enabling the next generation to move into business ownership and wealth creation. 

 

Wednesday, 16 March 2022, 11.00am-2.00pm
Register now

Nollaig Heffernan – Employer of Choice

Nollaig’s vast experience in helping businesses throughout the world get better at employing people, along with her engaging presentation style make this an event not to be missed! Being seen as an Employer of Choice has never been more important - anything that gives you an edge when it comes to attracting and retaining good people has to be a great thing. 

 

Three sessions available: 

Tuesday 22 March 2022, Colac Bowls Club, Armstrong Street

11am-2pm – Register here

 

Tuesday 22 March 2022, Cobden Golf Club

6.45pm-9.15pm – Register here

 

Wednesday 23 March 2022, Lady Bay Resort, Warrnambool

10am-3pm – Register here

Employment Essentials

This workshop takes you through everything you need to know about employing people on-farm. It focuses on navigating and utilising the Employment Starter Kit initiative (ESKi) and the People in Dairy website. Along with giving an overview of employer requirements, the day will allow plenty of time to have your employment questions answered. 

 

Wednesday 30 March 2022, Timboon Football Club

10.30am-2.30pm – Register here

HR Update with Jennie Corkhill

Highly respected Industrial Relations Lawyer, Jennie Corkhill will be travelling to the region to present two HR Update sessions. The first is more suited to farm advisors (though farmers are welcome to attend) and will also feature Chris Hibburt discussing succession planning.

 

The second workshop, which is farmer focused, will not only update on recent changes relevant to our industry, but also put the spotlight on employing overseas staff. With more and more farmers looking at this option, Jennie will be joined by immigration agent Fadi Malek to bring you the latest information on overseas workers and visa options. Accountant, Mark Robson will also discuss recent changes to superannuation laws.

 

Both sessions will be held during the day, with exact times and venues to be confirmed, however, please save these dates in your calendar.

Monday 30 May – Service provider session

Tuesday 31 May – Farmer session including overseas worker and superannuation update

This free webinar provides employers considering hiring new staff with information about employer obligations and rights.

Come along to this 60-minute session if you are thinking about hiring workers for your business.

You’ll learn about things to consider before hiring workers and your obligations as an employer.

Register to save your spot:
Employer: Hiring Workers Webinar
17 March 2022 10AM – 11AM (AEDT)

Wage subsidies of up to $20,000 per employee are available now, to support businesses to hire new staff or increase hours for current workers.

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.

To qualify for the subsidy, you must employ someone from at least one of the priority groups who have been most impacted by the pandemic.


Find out more about the Jobs Fund Wage Subsidies

Free 45-minute business advice session to plan, start or grow your business.

Business owners and those wishing to start a business can receive one free 45-minute session with an expert who can advise on:

  • marketing, website, digital marketing strategies
  • employing and managing staff
  • financial strategies to increase sales and profits
  • the next steps with a completed business action plan.

You have the flexibility to book the next available session or select an adviser based on their specialised experience.

Virtual advice sessions are available Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm and can be undertaken online or via phone.

Book your free advice session today!

The Victorian Government is partnering with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) to deliver a business mentoring program to help small businesses navigate the economic challenges posed by restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID‑19.

 
Eligible business owners can receive up to four 2-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced professional who will help them make informed decisions about the future of their business. The program offers tailored guidance on:

  • Business recovery – to strengthen business recovery (cost reduction, debt and cashflow management)
  • Market transformation – to understand how COVID‑19 has triggered or accelerated market changes
  • Digital literacy and engagement – to help businesses reach new customers and markets
  • Market and supply chain diversification – to reduce exposure to supply chain risks
  • Reskilling and retraining – to help businesses upskill their existing workforce

Find out what type of business can apply for the program.

Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) has operated nationwide for over 35 years, providing free business support to primary producers and now rural-regional small business owners navigating the challenges of financial stress or uncertainty, including operating through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 and opportunities
  • Accessing grants and government support
  • Negotiating with banks, creditors or insurance providers
  • Planning for the next months and for the future

RFCS Victoria West is your local provider. Wellbeing counselling is also available to ensure you are fully supported. Appointments are free of charge.

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

South West Victoria’s farmers have a chance to share and promote their ideas and inventions with the launch of the region’s first dairy innovation challenge.

 

Innovations in three categories are being sought. These can be in use now or an idea that requires additional research and development.

 

The 2022 South West Victoria Dairy Innovation Challenge is an initiative of the DemoDAIRY Foundation (DDF).

 

Apply now!

For further information about our services or if you need help, please contact Council's Economic Development Team on 1300 656 564 or email ecodev@moyne.vic.gov.au