Business resources

Building on the success of the 2017 Mount Alexander Business Awards, the Awards has returned this year to showcase and encourage business excellence across our Shire.
The Awards is a biennial program that publicly showcases, acknowledges and celebrates the achievements of our local businesses and entrepreneurs whose passion and commitment make our Shire such a unique place to live, work and visit.

This year we are introducing mentor workshops to help you with the development of your business and marketing plans as part of the entry process. That means the session will provide you with everything you need to complete your entry.
The workshops will be held:

When: 5.45pm (for a 6.00pm start) - 8.15pm, Monday 16 September
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

When: 9.15am (for a 9.30am start) - 11.45am, Tuesday 17 September,
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Book your mentor workshop now! (To buy a ticket click on 'book tickets' then select the date for the event that you would like to attend. All available events on that date will have a green BOOK button. Select the BOOK button to secure your place).

The first step is to make sure you have been nominated by Monday 9 September. Encourage your customers to nominate you and any other business who they feel does a great job. Also…

You can self-nominate – we don’t mind. Blow that trumpet!

You can nominate online or on a postcard available from the Castlemaine Civic Centre, Visitor Information Centre, The Midland Express / Castlemaine Mail office, Maldon Newsagency and various community hubs. Post or drop your completed nomination form into the Castlemaine Civic Centre on the corner of Lyttleton and Lloyd Street.

Further information on the Mount Alexander Business Awards visit Business Awards or if you have questions, call Marg Barry, Business Awards Officer 5471 1851 or email.

Small business owners in Mount Alexander have the opportunity to build skills and knowledge in a series of low-cost workshops. Mount Alexander Shire Council has partnered with State Government – Small Business Victoria to deliver the workshops that support and encourage local small businesses.

The workshops will be held each month from February to November 2019 at the heavily subsidised cost of $20 – $30. Business Association members who attend at least one of the upcoming workshops will receive a 50 per cent discount for business mentoring sessions with the Small Business Mentoring Service.

Mentoring sessions are also offered as part of the workshop series. These comprise of a one-on-one 1 hour meeting with an experienced business adviser and is offered through the Small Business Mentoring Service and is sponsored by Council and Robertson Hyetts Solicitors.

Booking can be made online.

Business Planning Essentials
When: 6:00pm - 8.00pm, Monday 11 February
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Effective Business Practices
When: 9.30am - 1.00pm, Monday 4 March
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Finance Fundamentals
When: 6.00pm - 8.00pm, Monday 1 April
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Commercialising Your New Idea
Session 1
When: 9.30am - 12.30pm, Monday 6 May
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Session 2
When: 9.30am - 12.00 noon, Monday 13 May
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Taking Your Business Online
When: 9.30am - 11.30am, Monday 3 June
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Marketing Your Business
When: 6.00pm - 8.00pm, Monday 15 July
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Starting Your Business
When: 9.30am - 1.00pm, Monday 5 August
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Business Awards Group Mentoring, 9 September
When: 5.45pm (for a 6.00pm start) - 8.15pm, Monday 9 September
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Business Awards Group Mentoring, 17 September
When: 9.15am (for a 9.30am start) - 11.45am, Tuesday 17 September
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

Taking Your Business Online
When: 6.00pm - 8.00pm, Monday 7 October
Where: Civic Centre - Council Chambers, Enter via Lloyd Street, Castlemaine

For enquiries about the small business workshops contact Eva Parkin, Council’s Economy Development Officer, on 5471 1805 or e.parkin@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.

Did you know that there are millions of grant dollars available for business through government funding programs right now?

There is Victorian State and Federal Government funding available for you to access, but you need to know where to look for the information, understand the criteria, eligibility and guidelines.

Council recently held an informal expo style event with the people who assess your funding applications. It provided a unique opportunity to talk directly with funding program managers about what grants are available, what they look for in a grant application and how to apply.

We have received great feedback about the event and are planning another information session for later in the year. In the meantime, check out the range of grants on offer.

• New Energy Jobs Fund
• Micro Grid
• Environmental Upgrade Agreements
• Boost Your Business Vouchers Program
• Food Source Victoria
• Wine Growth Fund
• Entrepreneurs Program (Federal Government)
• Regional Jobs Fund
• Regional Skills Fund

For enquiries contact Eva Parkin, Economic Development Officer 5471 1805 or e.parkin@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.