The Maldon & District Community Bank is again partnering with Clare Fountain from Sorted, a regional based small business consultant, to present a new program to support local businesses recover, reshape and rebound after COVID-19. The program will be delivered both face-to-face and online by Clare, and includes 7 live interactive sessions on business planning and 1:1 mentoring before and after. 
Business owners will come away with a clear plan of action to relaunch their business post COVID-19.  The course is designed to increase participant’s knowledge, identify new opportunities and build collaboration with other businesses in the region.
Participants of the 2020 program noted the program provided them with increased confidence and motivation to work on their business and make decisions. Another business owner commented that the course enabled them to see their business “more objectively without getting stuck in the day-to-day detail”.
The application process is simple – just a paragraph or two about how the program will benefit you and your business. Applications are now open via our website Partnerships, Scholarships & Grants  and close on Friday 18 June 2021. 
Maldon & District Community Bank is subsidising this program for 16 local businesses. We are encouraging small businesses from across our catchment area, including the towns and districts of Maldon, Dunolly, Newstead, Harcourt and Mount Alexander region, to apply for the program.
“Never has there been a more important time to change gears and adapt to new horizons. The Maldon & District Community Bank is excited to present this opportunity to businesses in our region; to help them with their ongoing viability and success,” said bank Chairman Ross Egleton. “The value per business is worth over $900, with the Community Bank subsidising the majority of this cost.  There is a cost of $150 per business to participate, but if this amount is a barrier notify us as part of your application, as we don’t want cost to be an obstacle to businesses applying or participating,” explained Ross.

Key dates:

• Applications OPEN NOW
• Applications close Friday 18 June 2021
• Applicants notified of outcome Wednesday 30 June 2021
• Program begins Tuesday 13 July 2021

 
More information:
For enquiries about the program, payment assistance and the application process please contact Executive Officer Shannon Burdeu executiveofficer@mdcb.com.au or 0478 435 110.

Maldon resident Isobel McLaren is a big fan of the Baringhup and Maldon Community Bus, run by the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre. The bus was off the road for most of last year because of the COVID-19 restrictions but it’s back now offering trips to a wide-range of destinations.

Isobel says it’s a wonderful service. “I’ve never driven and I’ve lived all over the world- the only things I’ve ever needed are a golf course and a bus stop.” Isobel says the bus picks her up at her door and drops her back. “You don’t have to worry about driving or parking so for those people who do drive, how nice would it be to get picked up at your front door and not have to worry about getting the car out, buying petrol, driving or parking? It would be a bit of a relief I think.” Isobel says the bus goes to Castlemaine, Maryborough and Kangaroo Flat – ‘they have a very good programme’.

Indeed, this local, flexible door-to-door community transport service can help you go shopping, go to the station, GP and hospital appointments, the library, visit friends, go swimming, to the movies, the hairdressers for whatever you need local transport.” It even meets the Airport Bus and V/Line train so you can safely leave your car at home for trips to Melbourne or the airport.

To find out more about the Community Bus, contact the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on 03 5475 2093 or at the facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/communitybus3463