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September Edition:
- Jobs and Skills Summit - Immediate Initiatives
- Digital Tools Coaching Program
- Business Support and Grants
- Upskill Your Business
- Industry Updates
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Jobs and Skills Summit - Immediate Initiatives
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The recently held Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra brought together Australians, including unions, employers, civil society and governments, to address shared economic challenges.
Following the Summit the government released a list of 36 immediate initiatives. These include:
- A $1 billion increase in joint federal-state funding for free TAFE in 2023, with 465,000 free TAFE places
- A one-off income credit for age pensioners so that they can earn $4000 extra this financial year without losing their pension
- Increasing the permanent migration program ceiling to 195,000 in 2022-23 to address workforce shortages.
The full report can be downloaded here.
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Digital Tools Coaching Program
Expression of interest now open!
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Wellington Shire Council and East Gippsland Shire Council have partnered with Navii to offer this fully funded bespoke program to assist your retail business to digitally transform.
Starting in October 2022, the program focuses on your digital knowledge and skills, removing barriers to improve online presence and grow your business in the Covid operating environment.
You will receive a personalised Digital Engagement Health Check ™ at the start, course library access, and also two hours of one on one mentoring and skills coaching with a digital expert.
Topics span across essential online presence and digital marketing areas including social media, Facebook advertising, optimising local search and online listings, Google Business, search engine optimisation, analytics and email marketing automation.
Express your interest in the Digital Tools Coaching Program here.
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Have Your Say as Regional Business!
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The Victorian Government is surveying businesses in regional Victoria to get a better understanding of the business environment.
If you are a regional business, or have operations in regional Victoria, complete the survey to have your say.
The survey closes on Friday 7 October. Complete the survey.
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Business Support and Grants
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Regional Events Funds
The $20 million Regional Events Fund supports events held in regional Victoria, showcasing our regional tourism strengths and building Victoria's reputation as an events destination.
Applications are welcome from private companies, councils, Regional Tourism Boards and not-for-profit organisations for events that meet the eligibility criteria and program objectives detailed in the Regional Events Fund - Visit Victoria.
Support is available across different streams:
Stream 2 - Event Growth and Development
Funding up to $500,000 - Applications closing 30 September.
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Sick pay for casual workers
Casual and self-employed workers in certain jobs can now access sick and carer’s pay through the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee. Fully funded by the Victorian Government at no cost to employers.
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Solar Victoria Rebates
Small businesses, homeowners and renters may now be eligible for a significant rebate. Solar Victoria programs include:
- Solar panels (PV), Solar hot water, Solar battery
- Solar panels for rentals, Solar for Business
- Heating and cooling, Zero emissions vehicles, Virtual Power Plant pilot
Find out more
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Business Victoria Workshops - Face to Face
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Generating Cashflow
Tuesday, 27 September at 5.30pm - Orbost Library
Strengthening Business Practices
Tuesday, 11 October at 5.30pm - Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall
Cyber Security
Tuesday, 25 October at 5.30pm - Lakes Entrance Mechanics Hall
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Small Business Mentoring Service - Virtual Clinics
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The Small Business Mentoring Service clinics are designed to assist you with planning, starting or growing your business.
Thursday, 13 October, Online- Twilight Session, 2 spots left
Theme: Working on my Business
Register here
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Industry Update - Tourism
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Meet Senior Tourism Officer Andrew Davidson
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It’s with great pleasure that the Economic Development and Tourism Unit welcomes Andrew Davidson into the role of Senior Tourism Officer. Andrew brings 20+ yrs of tourism industry experience across Australia including iconic locations like Ayers Rock/Uluru, Kakadu and the Blue Mountains.
He began his career during the late 1990s taking international visitors on safari style 4wd tours in Australia’s Top End. Having accumulated enough Crocodile Dundee stories he turned south to Ayers Rock Resort as Manager Tour Operations.
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During his time in the Northern Territory, Andrew also served with the Norforce regiment of the Australian Army, working closely with aboriginal communities across the Top End of Australia and gaining a unique insight into their culture and traditional land use.
Andrew later joined the pre-opening project team at Emirates on the Wolgan Valley Resort (a 7000 acre former cattle property adjacent to the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area) where he worked to transform grazing paddocks surrounded by stunning landscape into Australia’s premier luxury-experience resort property.
Born and bred in our very own East Gippsland, Andrew returned to Gippsland in 2014 where he and his family currently reside on their farming property in the Strzelecki Ranges.
A small business owner himself, Andrew ran luxury tours of Gippsland (Great Southern Escapes) to an international audience with a focus on Wilsons Promontory NP, Gippsland Lakes and Snowy River NP, making no attempt to hide his passion and bias for Gippsland as an experiential tourism destination. During COVID however, his business was placed in a state of hiatus and Andrew joined Parks Victoria in the commercial team at Tidal River.
Andrew is extremely thrilled to be joining East Gippsland Shire team and working with the local tourism industry to help deliver exceptional experiences in East Gippsland.
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2023 Melbourne Tourism Leadership Program
The Melbourne Tourism Leadership Program is an award-winning, innovative professional development program. the program gives participants the opportunity to build professional networks, refine their leadership skills and be an active part of Victoria's future growth.
The program will help you to develop strong networks with like-minded industry professionals and assist you in increasing your personal and professional wellbeing.
MTLP is an exclusive program, limited to just 25 participants.
Applications close on Tuesday 25 October. Find out more
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Calling Border Town Tourism Operators for Feedback
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The NSW Cross-Border Commissioner, is inviting feedback from tourism operators along and near to the VIC-NSW border, encouraging them to provide their input on regulatory requirements of two states and how it impacts business operations and costs.
The survey closes Friday the 16 September. Complete the survey
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Extended till November - FREE Listings with ATDW!
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The free ATDW listings offer from Visit Victoria has been extended to the 30 November.
Tourism businesses and events who wish to maximise the benefits of Destination Gippsland’s marketing campaigns should have an up to date ATDW listing to participate fully. Please see here.
Email Phoebe at Destination Gippsland for more details and to receive a code for a free listing.
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Industry Update - Agriculture
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Calling Farmers to Participate in International Study!
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International researchers have approached East Gippsland Shire Council to collaborate on worldwide climate change research into the impacts of extreme events on agricultural producers.
The Lund University in conjunction with the University of Montana, are calling on farmers to provide their insights, specifically from agricultural producers in Australia (East Gippsland and Wellington), United States (Montana), Sweden (Skane), Bangladesh, Cambodia, France (Martinique).
Researchers are seeking local knowledge and experiences, of significant extreme events such as droughts, fires, and floods, which have affected livelihoods over the last years. The findings will contribute to science and policy development both locally and internationally.
There's two ways to take part in the survey:
- Hard copy survey: collect from Council's customer service centres and libraries or by contacting our Agricultural Development Officer, Kaylene Wickham
Online survey here
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Agriculture Victoria - Webinar and Workshop
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Free workshops for livestock producers to understand the disease, pest and plant biosecurity risks in their region, the impact they may have on their business and develop an on-farm biosecurity plan.
Thursday 22 September
Bairnsdale DELWP Office, 514 Main Street
9.30am – 3.00pm
Register here.
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
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Headway and Partners in Wellbeing stories
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Read story: Carla Egan runs a small business ‘The Coaching Directory’; she speaks about how she reached out to receive support from Partners in Wellbeing through the Kinnaway Chamber of Commerce.
Read story: Musician Jen Hawley speaks about the support that she received from Partners in Wellbeing through Music Victoria.
The Headway initiative comprises a number of programs, tools and resources developed through partnerships with leading researchers, mental health organisations, workplace safety experts and industry peak bodies. These include Partners in Wellbeing, a Mindarma online wellbeing program, a WorkSafe WorkWell Toolkit and Workplace Wellbeing Hub.
Visit Business Victoria for more information.
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Speak to someone today by phone, email, or chat: Partners in Wellbeing Helpline 1300 375 330 or visit partnersinwellbeing.org.au.
Do you need help in your language? Call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter, then ask to be connected to Partners in Wellbeing on 1300 375 330.
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My Council, My Community
The monthly My Council, My Community newsletter is packed full of news about Council's projects, services, major decisions, open consultations and more. The previous community e-newsletter can be downloaded here. |
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You can get in touch with the Economic Development Team by phoning 5153 9500 or via email.
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