Happy New Year <<First Name>>,
We are excited to be back and looking forward to an action packed year!
Please indulge me a moment whilst a tell you a story about our fabulous CB employees, who live and breath our organisations ethos. One headed off last weekend to purchase their wedding gown, sticking to our buy local theory the shopping started here but unfortunately we do have a limited selection so after no success she travelled to Geelong.
After looking around at several stores the perfect dress was located, did she purchase? No!! She called the Ballarat store and gave them the brand and asked if they could order it? The reply was yes easily, the price was cheaper than the Geelong store and the owner was so blown away at the trouble that was gone too that she offered a further discount.
I was so impressed to hear of the effort to support our local business community. Now we will have two beautiful CB brides this year both wearing dresses purchased in Ballarat.
We encourage all our members to stop and think before they shop out of town in 2018 either in person or online, we can all make a difference.
Hope to see you soon, there are plenty of opportunities coming up.
Cheers,
Jodie Gillett
Chief Executive Officer
Commerce Ballarat
|
|
|
Davidson’s Blinds and Shutters is an industry leader constantly sourcing cutting edge products to satisfy all market needs. From traditional to the very latest trends, they have a solution for you.
Davidson’s provides customers with a quality service, products and finishes and is backed by a 4-year warranty on all interior and exterior blinds, shutters, awnings and fittings. Their products have been lovingly made by locals for locals for over two decades.
617-619 Howitt Street, PH: 5333 30 66
|
|
Information Session - Commerce Ballarat, Committee for Ballarat and Visit Ballarat have joined forces with Victoria’s largest energy aggregator – Procurement Australia.Procurement Australia currently manages an energy portfolio worth $165 million per year supporting hundreds of members from Local Government, Water Authorities, Universities, Charities, Manufacturing, Hospitality, Logistics and many other private and public entities.This information session will cover: Energy Market Update & Action Plan. We invite you to attend to find out more and let’s work to reduce you’re energy bills together. This info session will be held on Wednesday, 31 January from 10.30am - 11.30am at Ballarat Technology Park – Central. For more information and to register click here
|
Forbidden Foods, established in 2012 by Jarrod Milani & Marcus Brown is a 100% Australian owned and operated rice foods company that is agile, innovative and growth focused. Forbidden Foods vision is to “Feed The World With The World’s Best”. Guest speaker Jarrod Milani, the Co-Founder of Forbidden Foods started the business at 21 years of age with his University friend Marcus Brown, who after travelling abroad identified the opportunity to supply healthy and unique rice foods to Australia. Today Forbidden Foods is a leader in organic rice with a retail range available throughout independent supermarkets, gourmet grocers and Costco. This BisNet Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, 6 February from 7am - 8.45am at the Golden City Hotel. For more information and to register click here
|
|
|
VicRoads has two significant projects planned to help our growing city manage its traffic needs into the future - a total investment of $16.3 million in our city. These include:
- Ballarat Safer Cycling Connections and Road Safety Improvements ($9.3 million)
- Mair Street Upgrade ($7million for stage1)
Learn more about the projects and ask questions of the senior VicRoads engineers leading each project. This Q&A will be held on Tuesday, 6 February from 8.45am - 9.45am at the Golden City Hotel. For more information and to register click here |
The free Masterclass provides practical and cost effective ideas on how manufacturing businesses can cut energy costs with the help of energy efficiency. Who should attend? Operation managers and engineers working in manufacturing business who use gas for process heat and steam will benefit by attending the Masterclass. What will be covered in the Masterclass? Gas and electricity tariffs, system maintenance for quick savings, fine tuning systems to improve gas efficiency, equipment upgrades, renewable energy options, government grants and other support and financing your project. This masterclass will be held on Friday, 16 February from 8am - 11.30am at Ballarat Golf Club. For more information and to register click here
|
|
|
Pop in for quick chat and coffee before work, or feel free to stay longer. Take a break from your usual routine to catch up with like-minded young professioanls in a relaxed setting. Our Young Professionals Network aims to provide support, networking and development opportunities to YP's within Ballarat, if you are in your 20’s or 30’s and wanting to build relationships and establish networks with like-minded business people this is the perfect vehicle for you. This catch up with be held on Thursday 22 February from 7.30am - 9am at Gove Cycles & Bike Rack Cafe. *No RSVP required for the YPN Coffee Catch Ups
|
The “After Five” is your chance to network, foster relationships and build your profile in a casual setting. We encourage attendees to bring along staff, colleagues or a guest for them to experience the benefits of socialising with other likeminded people. The host is given the opportunity to showcase their business to attendees and will provide drinks and savouries for your enjoyment.
Sleeps Plumbing invites you to the Old Colonists' Club on Thursday, 22 February from 5.30pm - 7.30pm. For more information and to register click here
|
|
This members only event gives you the chance to enjoy a twilight meeting, build networks and strengthen relationships with other like-minded people. The evening will include fingerfood, tipping competition, punters club, lucky door prizes & racing celebrity guest interviews! This race day will be held on Wednesday 7 March from 4pm - 8pm at Ballarat Turf Club . For more information and to register click here |
This members only Business Essentials Workshop will give you the opportunity to hear from business professionals and ask questions on the following topics; business law, accounting and social media marketing - the essentials you need to run a business. Paul Stephens (Nevett Ford Lawyers), Damien Butler (Butler Charetered Accountants) & Jordan McPhan (JRM Social). This workshop will be held on Tuesday 20 March from 9am - 12pm at Oscars Hotel. For more information and to register click here |
|
 GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
$50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package - The package aims to help transform the Australian grape and wine industry by showcasing the nation’s wine tourism. The package and all associated grants are being administered by Wine Australia. Acting Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, the Senator Hon Michaelia Cash has announced the opening of the $47.5 million Advanced Manufacturing Growth Fund program. More information here
|
|
 NEW LABOUR HIRE LICENCING BILL INTRODUCED TO PARLIAMENT
Source: VECCI 19 Jan 2018
The Victorian Government recently introduced the Labour Hire Licensing Bill 2017, which includes a new licensing scheme for Victorian labour hire operators. The Victorian Chamber does not support the introduction of a new licensing scheme as it will impose significant costs on the majority of compliant firms operating in the sector read more... |
|
 TOP PUB TOWN - BALLARAT
Source: Wotif 18 January 2018
An Australia pub is the epicenter of any local town, where important conversations are had, where anything is celebrated and the spirit of mate ship is cemented over a few ‘cold ones’. The self-proclaimed ‘Original Beer Capital’ of Australia, Ballarat (or #Beerllarat) is home to several pubs that first opened their doors over 150 years ago during the Gold Rush read more...
|
|
 BALLARAT CYCLE CLASSIC
Register now for the 2018 Reach4Research Ballarat Cycle Classic and help raise funds for cancer research. 1 in 2 Australian Men and 1 in 3 Australian women will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, there is no time like NOW to make a difference in the lives of those who will face a cancer diagnosis in the future. The event will be held on Sunday 18 February - ride, walk, run! 100% of your registration will be donated to the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. Register or donate here
|
|
 2018 NEW RESIDENTS BOOKLET
Free opportunity to promote your business to Ballarat’s newest residents. Ballarat businesses have the opportunity to promote their products and services free of charge in the City of Ballarat’s New Residents Welcome Booklet 2018-19. The glossy A5 booklet features useful information about Ballarat and local government services, as well as details on lcommunity, plus more. Interested businesses can apply at: mysay.ballarat.vic.gov.au Expressions of Interest close January 29.
|
|
WELL DONE FIKA
On Christmas day FIKA Coffee Brewers staff opened their doors for lattes and Xmas cheer with 100% of sales going to Berry Street. They raised more than $2900 in just two and a half hours of trade. Staff volunteered their time and were able to make 420 take away coffees! Lines were out the door but despite the longer wait time for a coffee customers were happy to wait and support the great initiative. Congratulations Matt and to the team at FIKA what a great initiative.
|
|
COMPASSIONATE LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP 
Research into compassion is helping to see that suffering and addressing suffering in the workplace is one of the most important ideas for business today. The forum will comprise presentations and workshop discussions. Presenters: Marilyn Turkovich, Global Director, Charter for Compassion, Stephen Falconer, Director, Buninyong & District Financial Services and Dr Lynne Reeder, National Facilitator, Australian Compassion Council. Feb 7, 3-5pm Greenhill Enterprise Centre - Register here
|
|
 AUTUMN - BALLARAT LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE
Last opportunity to advertise in the Autumn edition of Ballarat Lifestyle Magazine. Ballarat Lifestyle Magazine in Partnership with Commerce Ballarat offer 20% Discount for Members on advertising (Off Full Price) Autumn edition will be out March 1. Starting at $765 (+GST) for a Half Page Advert. Deadline - January 30. Contact Sally 0447 820 577 or sally@ballaratlifestylemagazine.com.au |
|
CONGRATULATIONS PFD FOOD SERVICES 
Congratulations to Nick Thurlbeck from PFD Food Services, who has been awarded the PFD Food Services Pty Ltd 2017 Victorian Branch Manager of the Year, in the Awards for Excellence. Nick would like to recognise his 25 staff that support him within the Ballarat branch. He is off to Melbourne for the announcement of the national winners on 16th February - Good luck!
|
|
ACCI: Tourism Works for Australia - read more...
Workers' Compensation - Time to take a health check - read more...
Victorian Government Waste & Recovery Consultation Session - read more...
|
|
|
AUSTRALIAN BUREAU OF STATISTICS
|
|
|
|
|
