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SMALL-SCALE EXPORTERS
ASSISTANCE
PACKAGE
The Australian Government’s Department of Agriculture is inviting applications to deliver activities under the Package Assisting Small Exporters program. Under the program, grants are available to organisations and individuals for projects that support small exporters in the dairy, fish, eggs, grain, plant, horticulture, meat and animal products industries to overcome barriers to market access.
Applications close 11pm on Friday 28 February, 2020.
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SUPPORT FOR FARMERS THROUGH BUSHFIRE RECOVERY
Golden Plains farmers (including apiarists) who have been effected by bushfire may be eligible for Victorian Government support to pay for emergency farm transport. The subsidies may include transporting fodder for stock to fire-effected properties, transporting of stock to agistment (including returning stock, sale or slaughter), and transporting of stock drinking water. For more information click on the link below.
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BUSINESS TRAINING AND MENTORING
Meredith
SBMS Small Business Clinic
FREE
Thursday 13 February
Meredith Community Centre
Bannockburn
Taking your business online
Cost $20
Thursday 20 February
Bannockburn Cultural Centre
Bannockburn
Starting a small business & planning your financial commitments (ATO)
FREE
Thursday 27 February
Bannockburn Cultural Centre
Rokewood
SBMS Small Business Clinic
FREE
Thursday 12 March
Hesse Rural Health, Rokewood
Bannockburn
Finance Fundamentals
Cost $20
Wednesday 18 March
Bannockburn Cultural Centre
Geelong
Record keeping for small business (GST registered)
FREE
Monday 23 March
Geelong City Council
Haddon
Starting your business
Cost $30
Thursday 26 March
Haddon Community Centre
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FARMING AND LAND HOLDERS SURVEY
Farmers and land holders with livestock in Golden Plains, the City of Greater Geelong and Surf Coast Shire are invited to participate in a survey about their needs in relation to the exchange of information and livestock, and what innovative responses could address these needs.
It will take around 10 minutes to complete the survey which will be open until Tuesday 18 February. The results of the survey will be used to assess the feasibility of options for a livestock and information exchange that supports farmers and land holders in the region.
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NEW GIFT CARD LAWS FOR BUSINESSES
If your business sells gift cards or vouchers you’ll need to comply with new laws which came into effect from 1 November 2019. Key changes include a mandatory minimum three-year expiry period from the date the card is sold to a customer, gift cards must clearly show the expiry date and most post purchase fees can no longer be charged, including activation fees, account keeping fees and balance enquiry fees.
Strict penalties apply for non-compliance. For more information, visit the website below
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GOLDEN PLAINS COMMUNITY VISION 2040
Golden Plains Community Vision 2040 is a whole of community plan to capture the aspirations, expectations and priorities for Golden Plains Shire over the next 20 years.
All members of the community including business operators are invited to provide open feedback in February and March 2020 on the following 4 questions:
• What I love about Golden Plains is….
• My hope for Golden Plains in 2040 is….
• What I would like to see in my community in 2040 is….
• To make this a reality I am willing to….
You can take the survey at the link below.
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GOLDEN PLAINS WIND FARM COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND OPENS
Applications are now being accepted for the 2020 Round 1 of the Golden Plains Wind Farm Community Benefit Fund.
Application forms (including funding guidelines) are available at the below link, in hard copy at the Rokewood Take Away in Ferrars Street, Rokewood, or by emailing WestWind Energy directly at info@goldenplainswindfarm.com.au. The total fund available is $10,000 and applications close 5pm Thursday 12 March.
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FREE ADVERTISING FOR GOLDEN PLAINS BUSINESSES
Time is running out to take advantage of Golden Plains Shire Council's new free advertising opportunity for local businesses and services.
Council publishes a New Residents Guide that we distribute to people and families who have purchased or rented a home in Golden Plain Shire. The guide includes useful information on Council services, including how to find out what day garbage is collected and how to access the local library, aged care or maternal and child health services.
We are updating the guide and adding a new section of vouchers to connect local businesses (including home-based businesses) with this valuable group of prospective new customers and clients. It’s free to participate for all Golden Plains businesses with the new guide to be published in early 2020.
Registrations are open until Friday 14 February, 2020. To sign up, simply fill in the form below. For further information, please contact Council's Business Support Team on 5220 7111 or business@gplains.vic.gov.au
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VICTORIAN CHAMBER TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry offers a range of professional development training opportunities for businesses and their staff across Victoria. Topics include HR, Management of Staff through to Mental Health First Aid and Emotional Intelligence. Sessions are available across the State including in Geelong and Ballarat.
For more information and to book a session, click on the link below.
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ARTSACTION TO SUPPORT CREATIVE SECTOR
ArtsACTION is a new initiative to support and foster the local creative industry. Proudly supported by Golden Plains Shire Council in partnership with Pop Up Art, ArtsACTION is a free upskilling and professional development program for Golden Plains artists and creatives.
The program will provide online and face-to-face training, as well as practical opportunities to activate career pathways, broaden networks and build market reach.
More information on the ArtsACTION program, including how to register, click on the link below.
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GOLDEN PLAINS LOCALISED
Connect your business to Golden Plains’ online business network. In business, as in life, we don’t know what we don’t know. The Localised platform puts you in touch with other businesses as well as potential new customers!
Localised is the first online business-to-business network for Golden Plains Shire. It allows businesses to promote themselves, connect with other local businesses and discover all the latest local business events and projects on offer. And it’s FREE!
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4 WORKSHOPS BUSINESS TRAINING PACKAGE
Kick-start your business journey with this package of 4 Small Business Victoria workshops. Take your business from an idea, through the planning stage, to marketing and promotion including all you need to know about the online environment.
Conveniently broken up into 4 workshops of 2-3 hours each, these once a month sessions will give you the time between to work on your business.
Normally these workshops will cost you $90, but with this package you pay just $60.
The workshops will be held at the Haddon Community Centre on:
- Thursday 26 March
- Wednesday 29 April
- Thursday 28 May, and
- Wednesday 24 June
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DESIGN CITY
Design City is a special event being held as part of Geelong Design Week. Hosted by Deakin University, DesignMind and the City of Greater Geelong, the event will show how business, government, research and education can work together to create an innovation ecosystem.
On 18 & 19 March, this unique two-day international design symposium – the first of its kind in Australia – will explore how design and creativity can drive innovation.
Early bird registrations are open now. To find out more and book please click the link below
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ENTREPRENEURS’ PROGRAMME INCUBATOR SUPPORT INITIATIVE
The Entrepreneurs’ Programme Incubator Support Initiative now has an expanded focus to better support first-generation migrant and refugee entrepreneurs. The enhanced initiative will help migrant and refugee founders to develop their capabilities and establish globally focused start-ups.
The expanded focus of the program is helping Australia’s innovation eco-system tap into the ideas, talent and international networks first generation migrants and refugees bring with them.
For more information on how to apply for an Incubator Support grant, call 13 28 46 or click the link below
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LOCAL FARMERS AWARD FINALIST
Congratulations to local Shelford sheep farmer Gordon Brown, who has been announced as a finalist in The Weekly Times Coles 2019 Farmer of the Year Awards in the Sheep Farmer of the Year category.
Picture by Dannike Bonser, sourced from The Weekly Times
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