Funding Available for Small-Scale and Craft Producers
Agriculture Victoria has recently launched a new round of grants for the Small-Scale and Craft Program.
This round of funding focuses on supporting businesses to upscale their business, expand into new markets and develop individual tourism offerings.
Grants of up to $15,000 are available to eligible agribusinesses. Applications close on Sunday 31 July 2022.
Click on the link below to find out more, and to read a copy of the program guidelines.
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What's on in Golden Plains
Clyde Park Christmas in July
Saturday 30 July, dinner
Friday 29 to Sunday 31 July, lunch
Celebrate Christmas in July with family and friends, at Clyde Park Vineyard & Bistro. Enjoy a festive meal centred around local and regional produce, fabulous wines and mulled wine; the dinner will also have live music, a visit from Santa, and paired wines (optional).
For more information on the dinner and lunch options visit the link below. Bookings essential.
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Austin's Burning of the Canes
5-10pm, Saturday 6th August
This is the first time Austin’s have opened this annual ritual to the public to celebrate the end of pruning and the 2022 harvest, as well as welcoming the new 2023 season and the rebirth of vines.
Enjoy food by Nama Please cooked outside with fire, and music by renowned DJ Edd Fisher, who has played at Golden Plains Music Festival, Potato Head Bali and Dark Mofo, mulled wine, Pinot Noir Gin, plenty of fabulous vino’s, and the bonfire of canes and warm fire pits.
Cost: $75, includes food, glass of wine on arrival and entertainment.
Bus transfers from Geelong are available.
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National Tax Clinic Program
Need assistance completing your tax return? The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) can help.
The ATO’s Tax Help program is a free and confidential service open to people earning about $60,000 or less each year.
From July to October, ATO trained volunteers can help you lodge your return, claim a refund of franking credits, submit a non-lodgement advice or lodge an amendment. Tax Help volunteers are available online and by phone, so you can get help even if you live in a rural or remote location.
If you are not eligible for Tax Help, you may be able to access free advice and support through the National Tax Clinic program, a government-funded initiative to help those who may not be able to afford professional advice and representation with their tax affairs.
For more information, click the link below.
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Rethinking Business in a COVID World
The Rethinking Business in a COVID World Workshop is a fantastic and thought-provoking session that will help business owners re-think their current business mindset to navigate the new world of COVID successfully.
Hosted by Commerce Ballarat, the interactive workshop focuses on vision, growth, people and capability, and aims to challenge your thinking. The event will be held on:
- Thursday 14 July, 10am to 4pm (lunch included) at the Ballan Mechanics Institute, 143 Inglis St, Ballan 3342
Click the link below for more information and to register.
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Meredith Music Festival is Back on!
After two years of cancellations due to COVID-19, the Meredith Music Festival is back on from 9-11 December 2022 at the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre.
To be notified when more information and tickets become available, subscribe below.
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Business Victoria Webinars
Each month Business Victoria runs a number of online workshops for small businesses to improve their skills and get advice from experts. Check out some of the upcoming Webinars below.
Generating Cash Flow – Live Webinar
6pm-8pm, Tuesday 19 July
Free
If you’re spending more time juggling cash than running your business, making a profit, but still struggling to pay the bills, then this essential small business workshop will ensure you’re never caught short again.
Cyber Security – Live Webinar
10am-12pm, Friday 22 July
Free
Understand the importance of cyber security for small businesses, and how to protect the business from the consequences of an attack.
Click the link below for more information.
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Accommodation Jobs Initiative
The Accommodation Jobs Initiative is a Victorian Government action to support Victoria's accommodation and hospitality industries to bounce back and create more jobs.
As the state continues to welcome more domestic and international visitors, the $5.6 million initiative will create 320 jobs, offering jobseekers paid training and at least 12 months of secure employment.
The initiative will create roles in housekeeping, preparation of food and beverages, events and other accommodation services across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Click on the link below for more information.
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Business Victoria Free Online Business Advice Sessions
Business Victoria are offering free online business advice sessions for current and emerging business owners to help you start or grow your small business.
The sessions are ongoing and available Monday to Friday, with the sessions lasting 45 minutes. The advice sessions aim to help you to develop your business ideas by speaking with a business expert. Bookings are essential.
Click the link below to read more and book.
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Solar Compacting Bins Installed
Two pairs of solar compacting waste and recycling bins were recently installed at the Bannockburn Heart in Bannockburn and Turtle Bend Reserve in Teesdale.
The new bins use a compacting system powered by solar panels to compress waste and recycling as it is added to allow more waste to fit in each bin. This system enables the bins to hold more waste and ensures they are less likely to overflow during busy periods.
For more information, visit Council's website.
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Jobs Victoria Fund
Wage subsidies of up to $20,000 per employee are available to support businesses to hire new staff or increase hours for current employees. The eligibility for this fund changed in November 2021, so more businesses than ever are able to access the fund.
Find out more information, including if your business is eligible for the subsidy, via the link below.
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Export Opportunities - Middle East and North Africa
Existing and potential exporters are encouraged to learn more about trade opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa at an upcoming workshop in Waurn Ponds. Organised by The Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Global Victoria Trade Alliance Program, the workshop will also highlight programs to improve overall export capabilities for businesses.
The session will be particularly useful for those in agribusiness, agritech, advanced manufacturing, renewable resources and education.
4pm-5.15pm, Wednesday 20 July
Deakin University - Waurn Ponds Estate, Nicol Drive South, Waurn Ponds. You can attend in person, or register to watch the event online.
Click here to register to attend in person. Click here to register to attend online.
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Writing Right
A Guide to Writing Right from Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine is a guide to help anyone who wants to write great content, in any form!
The guide covers the three essential elements of good writing, knowing the audience you’re writing for, providing power in your language, addressing your audience, having power in your language and much more.
To read the guide, click on the link below.
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Headway - Small Business Wellbeing
Headway is a Victorian Government initiative that provides wellbeing advice for small business owners, their employees and advisors with helpful tools.
A range of free services are available including business advice, financial counselling and mental health and wellbeing support.
For more information, click on the link below.
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Business Planning Tool
The Business Planning Tool is a free web app for Victorian businesses that guides you to set goals, plan tasks, track your progress and learn new skills, no matter what stage your business is at.
The tool can help at all stages of your business including planning, sustaining, growing, responding to challenges and exiting.
The Tool can be accessed for free from any device through your web browser. There’s no need to download an app.
Click the link below for more information.
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Business Recovery and Resilience Mentoring
The Victorian Government is partnering with the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 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 four 2-hour mentoring sessions with an experienced professional.
Get guidance on business recovery, market transformation, digital literacy and engagement, market and supply chain diversification, reskilling and retraining.
For more information click the link below.
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Guide to Better Phone Photography
Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine have released a guide to better phone photography. Get the most out of your mobile phone photography by learning more about some of the tricks and tips to maximise your mobile photos.
Check out the guide via the link below.
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On-Farm Action Plan Pilot
Producers, farm advisors, and other organisations are encouraged to learn more about the Victorian Government’s On-Farm Action Plan Pilot, and broader emissions reduction program.
The Pilot will work with up to 250 farm businesses to measure their on-farm emissions and identify ways to reduce emissions whilst maintaining productivity and profitability. Participants will then be eligible for funding to implement actions. Each round will focus on different commodity groups including beef, dairy, sheep, grains, pigs/poultry, dairy/beef/sheep, horticulture, and all commodities, with rounds open between winter 2022 to April 2025.
To find out more about the program, visit the Agriculture Victoria website below.
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Introducing Grant Guru
Are you a community group, individual or business on the hunt for grants and other funding opportunities?
Council is making it simpler to find and apply for grants with the new grant finding platform, Grant Guru.
The platform provides a comprehensive list of currently available grant and funding opportunities with search and filter features that make it quick and easy for residents to find and apply for grants that meet their specific funding needs. It also provides tips to improve grant applications and to increase their success rate.
Click the link below to start searching.
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New Booking System for Community Facilities
Council’s new online booking system allows you to easily access and book community facilities.
The new system makes it easier to browse and book community facilities and aligns with Council’s commitment to activating community spaces and encouraging local participation.
Click the link below to book.
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Online Councillor Conversation Post
An online Councillor Conversation Post will be held on Thursday 28 July 2022 from 7 to 9pm.
As part of the Councillor Engagement program, this online session follows the success of a number of in-person Conversation Posts earlier this year.
All Golden Plains Shire residents are welcome to Zoom in and have a virtual chat with their elected Councillors.
The Zoom link will be published on Council's website on Wednesday 27 July.
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