March 2018 Edition

Published on 01 March 2018

 
March 2018
Welcome to the March edition of Hobsons Bay Business e-Works
This month, we are again delivering the 2018 Hobsons Bay Business Breakfast. This popular networking event is taking place on Friday 16 March at the Substation in Newport. A limited number of places are still available, so be sure to register today!
 
There are a number of other interesting events taking place in the weeks ahead, from the return to Hobsons Bay of the Small Business Bus and the first of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council webinar series for 2018, 'PR for Tourism Businesses - Telling Your Stories'.
 
Local business service providers are invited to express interest in hosting an event as part of the 2018 Small Business Festival and applications are now open for Council's events and festivals funding program.
 
Finally, after a successful launch of Council's DYOB Coffee Connect Business Networking series this week, registrations are now open for the April event, taking place at Birdcage Cafe at Harrington Square, Altona.
 
For more information, or if you have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay, please contact us on 03 9932 1285 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Hobsons Bay Business Networking Breakfast - Friday 16 March
The 2018 Hobsons Bay Business Networking Breakfast is being held on Friday 16 March in the spectacular surrounds of The Substation, the largest contemporary arts space in the west.
 
Join Hobsons Bay Mayor Councillor Angela Altair and leaders from across the local business community for our first major business networking event for 2018.
 
Keynote speaker Stephen Yarwood
'Preparing for a sustainable future' 
 
Stephen Yarwood is a compelling voice, an urban futurist specialising in change, leadership, technology and cities.
 
Date: Friday 16 March
Time: 7am to 9am (registration from 6.45am)
Cost: Free (light breakfast included)
Venue: The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport
RSVP: With any dietary requirements, to business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au by 12pm Monday 12 March
 
Limited places are available, so please RSVP by return email early to avoid disappointment.
PR for Tourism Businesses webinar - Wedneday 21 March
Delivered as part of the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) webinar series and presented by Chatterbox Marketing, this workshop will help you to understand what makes a great story and how to find the time to put them together in a compelling way so they can work for you.
 
Date: Wednesday 21 March
Time:10.30am to 11.30am
Cost: Free
To register: For more information or to register, click here.
Small Business Bus - Wednesday 21 March
Operated by Small Business Victoria, the Small Business Bus visits Melbourne and regional Victoria as a 'travelling office on wheels'. It offers friendly, professional assistance from an information officer and expert advice from an experienced business mentor.
 
This month, the Small Business Bus will visiting the Central Square Shopping Centre in Altona Meadows on Wednesday 21 March. Bookings are essential. For more information or to schedule a session, click here.
Women@Work Conference - Wednesday 21 March
The Victorian Government is bringing together key businesses leaders, decision-makers and influencers to tackle gender pay inequity.
 
The Women@Work Conference on Wednesday 21 March will provide a platform to act on the gender pay gap and the economic and workforce consequences of persistent gender inequity for Victorian workers and businesses, in the lead up to Equal Pay Day in September 2018. 
 
Participants will be given training and information on how gender pay gaps develop, how to conduct a gender pay audit, how to implement flexible work arrangements and employer OHS obligations in relation to sexual harassment.
 
For more information or to register, visit connection.vic.gov.au/womenatwork
DYOB Coffee Connect Business Networking - Wednesday 4 April
Hobsons Bay City Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for the Discover Your Own Backyard Coffee Connect business networking series.
 
On the first Wednesday of each month, we will meet in a different location for a morning of networking and knowledge sharing. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee, promote your business and share ideas, while meeting business people from a range of different industries.
 
At the same time – you will get to experience (and perhaps even discover) some of the many fabulous cafes and hospitality venues in Hobsons Bay.
 
Attendance is free, but places are limited. RSVP to avoid disappointment and don’t forget to bring your business cards!
 
Date: Wednesday 4 April
Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Location: Birdcage, 7 Harrington Square, Altona
Cost: Free
Tapping into Tourism Workshop - Wednesday 18 April
Curious about growing your business by tapping into tourism? Looking for an easy and cost-effective way to promote your local business or attraction?
 
Tourists or visitors to your business can be local Melburnians, their visiting friends and relatives, or even regional Victorians; they can be interstate and international visitors branching out from Melbourne and wanting to explore our authentic suburban neighbourhoods, this potentially untapped target market is huge.
 
Join the team from Destination Melbourne for a free workshop to find out more about the Victorian tourism industry and how you can be business ready and on the tourism radar.
 
Presenter: Destination Melbourne
Date: Wednesday 18 April
Time: 6pm to 8pm
Location: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au to register your interest in attending.
Are you interested in hosting an event as part of the 2018 Small Business Festival?
The time has come! The Small Business Festival 2018 events portal is now open!
 
The 2018 Small Business Festival will be held on 1 – 31 August and Small Business Victoria is currently seeking passionate and professional organisations and people to host events to inspire, coach and connect local small businesses in Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
For more information or to submit an event, click here. Expressions of Interest will close on Wednesday, 14 March 2018.
Industrial Fashion Briefing - Tuesday 13 March
Are you a costume or fashion designer? Do you make unusual and beautiful things in your back shed or studio? Are you an industrial history buff with a feel for design?
 
Local fashionistas are invited to create, design and build costumes inspired by our industrial heritage. Take a photo of a local landmark and create a wearable artwork that tells a story! The works will be presented in the form of a fashion and dance cabaret, the opening event of the second biennial Art & Industry Festival on Friday 16 November 2018.
 
A briefing session is being held on Tuesday 13 March from 6.30pm to 8pm at Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre, 5 Sargood Street Altona.
Events and festivals funding opportunities
Hobsons Bay City Council has a rich history of supporting arts, cultural, community, sporting, tourism and special interest events, contributing to experiences and opportunities across the city. Funding rounds are now open in the categories of: Local Events and Festivals, Short Lead Events, Major Events and Special Event Sponsorships.
 
Funding available in each category:
 
• Small/Short Lead Events Fund - up to $1000
• Local Events and Festivals Fund - up to $10,000
• Major Event Sponsorship - up to $25,000
 
Applications are made via the links on the Events and Festivals Funding Opportunities page on Council’s website. This round will remain open until 5.00pm on Friday 30th March 2018. Please note that this is the only open round in the Major Events category for the 2018-19 period.
 
For more information or to discuss your application, contact the Events Unit on 9932 1000 or via email: events@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Altona Truck and Trade Show - Friday 16 to Sunday 18 March
Supported by Hobsons Bay City Council, and presented by publisher Australian Custom Trucks the Altona Truck and Trade Show is designed to showcase the transport industry, encourage local business involvement, boost the local economy, support local sporting clubs like the Laverton Cricket Club and the Altona Football Club and put a spotlight on the Melbourne Ball Park stadium as a major event venue, handily located just off the Princes Freeway.
 
Over three days, the Truck and Trade Show will feature between 100 and 300 trucks and trade displays. As part of the show, a networking event for the trucking industry will take place on the Friday. For more information, click here.
 
For Sale or Lease
 
Contact Brad Esler on 0408 969 775
 
Contact Tino Parisi on 0425 755 655
 
Contact Nick Saunders on 0407 542 210
 
Contact Tino Parisi on 0425 755 655
 
Council's Economic Development team takes a proactive approach to attracting and facilitating investment across the municipality. This includes assisting with site identification and selection. If you are looking for a commercial or industrial site in Hobsons Bay or to submit a business or commercial premises for inclusion in e-Works, please email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
 
Hobsons Bay Digital Strategy
Hobsons Bay City Council is creating a digital strategy. This strategy will shape how we will become more accessible and user-friendly for our growing community.
 
We want to know how you would like to interact with Council. What options would you like made available to you that we don’t currently offer? We want to invest in technology that enables Hobsons Bay to be more sustainable, efficient and accessible. If you would like to get involved please click here to have your say.
 
HBCF Community Golf Day - Friday 23 March
Calling all businesses and people who love golf, are committed to the community they do business in, don’t mind a spot of networking, competitive fun and being outdoors! The third annual Hobsons Bay Community Fund Golf Day is being held at Kooringal Golf Club on 23 March.
 
This exciting event will fund community grants for local organisations, and there will be many ways for business to connect and be involved, from registering teams, sponsorship, and contributing prizes. Click here to register or contact Craig on 0408 055 125 for more information.