June is a busy month for every small business, and for our business calendar. Whether you want to learn the essentials of starting a business, network, attend a business lunch or learn the secrets of marketing success, there is sure to be something that can help your business grow. 

Also don't forget to get your nominations in for the 2019 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards. Nominations close at 5pm on 19 July 2019.

If you would like any further information, or have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay, please contact Council's Economic Development team on 03 9932 1654 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au. 

Want to learn the secrets of great marketing success and market your products like a pro?

We are very excited to have Marketing Entourage back with us this year for this workshop. If you have not had the chance to work with them yet, they are an innovative marketing consultancy who work with clients to create customer experience that attract, convert and retain their ideal customers, building community engagement and loyalty.

Join them in this workshop that will teach you the principles of great marketing success for your small business or startup. Discover the tools that will help you and your team implement marketing like a professional and learn how to create more impact from the marketing activity you implement, ensuring your get more bang for your buck.

Time: 6pm to 8pm
Location: Newport Community Hub, 13-15 Mason Street, Newport
To register: Please click here

Calling all contractors specialising in civil and open spaces, building, building design and environmental consultants. Want to know more about Council's tender process or want to work more collaboratively with Council on capital works projects?

Hobsons Bay City Council invites you to attend an information drop-in session on the partnership opportunities for the Hobsons Bay capital works projects over the next five years at a net worth of $300 million.

For more information, click here.

The Hobsons Bay Community Fund (HBCF) is a philanthropic fund established to benefit and strengthen the community of Hobsons Bay for present and future generations. 

Professionally run by volunteers and a sub-fund of the Australian Communities Foundation, HBCF has so far distributed more than $250,000 to local community organisations covering welfare, housing, health, recreation, arts, disabilities and the environment.  

The annual business luncheon, proudly sponsored by Mercedes-Benz Melbourne, is its major fundraising event of the year and will feature guest speaker Paul Wheelton AM KSJ. For details, please click here.

Time: 12pm to 3pm
Location: Seaworks, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown
Cost: $165 per person (including three-course meal and drinks)
To register: Click here, by Friday 15 June

Victoria Police in partnership with Council will be hosting a Liquor Licensing Forum to discuss changes to liquor licensing legislation, emerging local issues and to review the busy summer period that has occurred.

A guest speaker from the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation will also be in attendance.   

Time: 10.30am - 12.00pm
Location: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Please click here.

Hobsons Bay City Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for business networking on the first Wednesday of the month. This is a great opportunity to enjoy a coffee, promote your business and share ideas, while meeting business owners from a range of different industries. 

Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Location: 85 Espresso, 85 Husdons Road, Spotswood
Cost: Free
To register: Please click here 

Operated by Small Business Victoria, the Small Business Bus will be visiting Spotswood in July as a 'travelling office on wheels'.

Free business mentoring on-board the Small Business Bus is available from an experienced professional and can be tailored to address the specific needs of your business. The on-board mentor can help you to identify a clear direction for your business, discuss key issues and priorities, and develop an action plan to achieve your goals.

Please note that only one session is available for each business, and bookings are essential.

When: Monday 8 July
Time: 9am to 4pm
Location: outside 79 Hudsons Road, Spotswood
To register:  Please click here.

There were two #StartWest meetups this month. 

On Wednesday 1 May, we were fortunate to have Nathania Christy (Head of Gloabal Insight Network, TrendWatching) join us all the way from Singapore to share insights on global trends for 2019. The insights were nothing short of a surprise and had all the audience thinking outside the box with how to merge expectations online with the human elements of relevance, empathy, delight, self-improvement and positive impact.

On Wednesday 29 May, startups and entrepreneurs ventured off to Gourmet Kitchen in Moonee Ponds and heard from a panel of speakers on how to 'Bust the Busy Myth' and shared insights as to how they manage their time and priorities as a busy entrepreneur. On the panel was Lina Patel (Revma Consulting), Nathan Murphy (Justmelbourne.com.au), and Tresna Lee (KinNorth). 

The 2019 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards provide the opportunity for businesses of all sizes and across all sectors, to be recognised for their achievements, innovation or leading work practices and to highlight the important contribution of their staff. This is a great way to put your business "on the map" in Hobsons Bay and gain valuable exposure across the local community.

For more details, please visit www.hobsonsbaybusiness.com.au/awards. Entries close 5pm on Friday 19 July. 

The anticipated #StartWest festival is coming to Hobsons Bay this July, in what is expected to be a fantastic event with a great line up. 

Without giving too much away there will be a keynote speaker, and lots of interesting breakout sessions to inspire you. 

Save the date, so you don't miss out. Stay tuned for more details.

Time: 12pm to 8pm (including meetup from 6pm to 8pm)
Location: The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport
For more details: click here

Council’s Economic Development team will be visiting businesses across Hobsons Bay over the next few weeks. This is an opportunity to find out how Council may be able to support your business needs, as well as ensuring that your business information is up-to-date on our database.

Update your business information by completing this short form by COB Wednesday 31 July 2019 for your chance to win one of three $200 gift cards! 

Tourism is a major contributor to the Hobsons Bay economy, generating more than $294 million in output and supporting more than 1,300 jobs locally.

Council plays an important role in supporting the preservation of our tourism assets and ensuring the ongoing growth of visitation to Hobsons Bay. By creating a welcoming and consistent experience for all visitors we can ensure this important industry continues to thrive.

The Experience Hobsons Bay Tourism Strategy 2019-2024, which was adopted at the Ordinary Council meeting last month, provides a long-term vision for tourism in Hobsons Bay and explores opportunities to support and grow the local tourism industry. 

To view the strategy, please click here. 

While we are talking about the visitor economy, remember to shop local this winter and support local retail and hospitality businesses who are big contributors to our local economy. 

With an endless supply of shopping precincts, Hobsons Bay boasts the feel of village shopping without the hustle and bustle of the city. All the services you’d expect from retail hot spots are here, from specialty and destination stores to supermarkets and local finds and, of course, lots of interesting places to eat, drink and relax.

Use our detailed maps on experiencehobsonsbay.com to find every hidden gem Hobsons Bay has on offer. Shop local, support small business and help your local community thrive!

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is looking to work more collaboratively with small and medium enterprises about EPA’s reforms. The EPA has established a team dedicated to supporting the needs of businesses in Victoria in understanding their environment obligations and to build a common understanding between the EPA and industry on how to manage risks and impacts to human health and the environment.

To find out more click here. 

The Industry Capability Network (ICN) helps bring Australian suppliers and project owners together by giving exclusive access to a powerful online database and an extensive network of Business Growth consultants. The result: more work for Australian businesses.

Fast track your company's growth by gaining access to billions of dollars of project opportunities through ICN's Australian and New Zealand network. 

For more information, please visit the ICN Gateway website here.

Melbourne’s West Jobs is a one-stop-portal for employment in Melbourne’s west created for employers and job seekers in the region who want to live, work and employ local.

Job seekers and employers in the region are welcome to register and join the community. For more information, click here.

Calling all tourism, retail or hospitality operators!

The Vic Tourism Conference will be held at GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on 17-18 July.

Tickets are on sale now for two jam-packed days of workshops, exclusive networking events and key note sessions from the industry’s finest. Gain insights into using disruption to your advantage in achieving business excellence.

All details including speakers, workshop sessions and ticketing is available here. 

45 Challis Street, Newport - For Sale
Contact Sharon Brincat on 0422 409 940

10 Ponting Street, Williamstown - For Sale
Contact Ricardo Cappelleti on 0421 837 421

14 Mallard Drive, Altona North - For Sale
Contact Mark Charlton on 0430 464 270

64- 66 Mcarthurs Road, Altona North - For Lease
Contact Drew Williams on 0408 013 968

1/204B Hall Street, Spotswood - For Lease
Contact Tino Parisi on 0425 755 655

Through its Economic Development team, Council 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 want to submit a business or commercial premise for inclusion in e-Works, please email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.

Design2Thrive is a revolutionary Victorian Government initiative for Victorian SME and NFP organisations that are keen to drive sustainable, profitable growth. An interactive 12 month immersion in design-led thinking across strategy, culture, marketing and product design, Design2Thrive uses world's best practice to educate and empower owners to realise their vision, aspirations and successfully achieve their company's full potential. 

For more details, please click here. 

The Sustainable Melbourne Fund has grown beyond its Melbourne home and is now preparing to work with businesses across Australia to achieve their environmental upgrades.
 
Through a partnership with Bank Australia, the newly named Sustainable Australia Fund has a loan facility of up to $200m available to power investment in environmental upgrades by businesses at a national scale.

Council works with the Sustainable Australia Fund to offer finance to assist businesses implement projects that provide environmental benefits. This means that no upfront capital is required to implement projects that save on energy, water and waste. Click here for details.

Volunteers who selflessly give up their time to help others will be recognised across the state, with nominations now open for the 2019 Victorian Premier's Volunteer Champions Award. 

The awards will recognise up to 60 volunteers across the state in the categories of Leadership, Impact, Service and Teamwork.

For more information and eligibility criteria please click here. Nominations are open until 28 June 2019.