Hobsons Bay’s business community was celebrated at the 2019 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards gala dinner on Friday 25 October. Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Councillor Jonathon Marsden congratulated all of the winners, drawn from more than 54 finalists across all categories.

“These awards celebrate our local business sector and the important contribution they make to our community and the economy both in Hobsons Bay and across Melbourne’s west,” said Cr Marsden.

We would like to thank all entrants of the Business Excellence Awards. Together you continue to make Hobsons Bay a great place to do business.

We would also like to thank our valued sponsors and our judges who so generously gave their time to support the Hobsons Bay business community, by visiting, assessing and selecting the winners.

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.

Hobsons Bay businesses are invited to participate in the Shops on Show Christmas window competition. All you need to do is register your business by clicking here and upload an image of your decorated Christmas window by Wednesday 27 November 2019.

The public can vote for their favourite registered window via a Facebook poll which will be shared on Council's Facebook and Instagram pages.
The three most "liked" Christmas window businesses will win the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.
Shoppers who vote online for their favourite festive season shop window will also go into a draw to share in over $7000 in prizes.

The Shops on Show competition will run from Sunday 1 December 9am to Monday 15 December 5pm. Winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 December in the Maribyrnong Hobsons Bay Star Weekly and on Council’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Get involved! Don’t miss your opportunity to win some great prizes and promote your business

For all details and full list of prizes click here. 

Council invites business professionals from across Hobsons Bay to come together for the last business networking morning for the year. 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. 

Date: Wednesday 6 November 2019
Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Location: Bezirk, 1 Millers Road, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Click here

Operated by Business Victoria, the Small Business Bus visits Melbourne and regional Victoria as a 'travelling office on wheels'.

Whether you're planning, starting or growing your business, the Victorian Government's Small Business Bus can help you to develop your business ideas and capabilities.

Free business mentoring onboard the Small Business Bus is available from an experienced professional. Sessions are strictly limited so advance bookings are required.

Date: Monday 11 November
Time: 10am to 4pm
Location: Outside Australia Post, 12 Aviation Road, Laverton
Cost: Free
To register: Click here

Are you looking to start your own business or grow your existing business?

Book in for a free one-on-one session with an experienced business counsellor from the Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) @ Kangan Institute. These consultations are available to new and existing businesses and are a chance for you to discuss any issues you have in regards to commencing your business or improving the performance and operation of your existing business.

Appointments are essential as places are limited.

Date: Tuesday 12 November
Time: 9am to 2pm
Location: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Call 9094 3008

Calling all hospitality and venue Operators. Council, in partnership with Victoria Police, will be holding a Liquor Licensing Forum to discuss the current climate in liquor licensing, emerging issues and expectations coming into the busy summer period.

Date: Tuesday 12 November
Time: 10.30am to 11.30am
Location: Williamstown Town Hall, The Chamber (upstairs), 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Cost: Free
To register: Click here

Are you a small hospitality business needing training for your staff in safe food handling, responsible service of alcohol or basic coffee making?

Laverton Community Education Centre delivers these programs in the fourth week of every month at the Laverton Community Hub:

• Safe Food Handling (SITXFSA001 Use hygienic practices for food safety): Monday 25 November, 9.30am - 4pm, $95
• Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA): Tuesday 26 November, 9.30am - 1.30pm, $80
• Basic Coffee Making: Tuesday 26 November, 2pm - 5pm, $60

You can enrol in one program or all three and receive a $25 discount. Phone 9369 2726 or email education@lcis.org.au for bookings.

OR THEY CAN COME TO YOU

Laverton Community Education Centre also delivers these programs to enterprises, community groups, clubs, sporting organisations and schools at their venues. Call them on 9369 2726 or email education@lcis.org.au for further information and pricing.

Is Christmas a budget blow out for you?

Date: Monday 2 December
Time: 6pm to 7.30pm
Location: Modoras, 39 Cabot Drive, Altona
Cost: Free
To register: Click here. Bookings are essential. 

For more information on the finalists, view the wrap edition of this week's Star Weekly newspaper here. 

The Victorian Government will implement a state-wide ban on lightweight plastic shopping bags from 1 November 2019.

The ban applies to ALL retailers – including supermarkets, greengrocers, bakeries, pharmacies, clothes stores, restaurants, cafes, markets, food outlets, and many more.

The ban will apply to all lightweight plastic shopping bags which have a thickness of 35 microns or less at any part of the bag, including degradable, biodegradable and compostable bags.

For more information please click here. 

Does your business need an injection of new talent and ideas? Do you need a single point of contact to access graduates and students for job opportunities? DeakinTALENT may be able to help.

DeakinTALENT shortlist for:
- full time ongoing roles
- paid internships
- short term contracts
- casual opportunities linked to study areas

They also offer free job listings on the DeakinTALENT Jobs and Internships board. 

To find out more, click here or contact Lauren Harris, Senior Graduate Recruitment Consultant, on 03 5247 9510 or email lauren.harris@deakin.edu.au.

The strategic partnership between Civilex and DeakinTALENT – Deakin University’s Graduate Employment Division has helped the Civilex construction group expand and diversify its workforce and retention, while simultaneously contributing to the job market and economy.

As an employer who values diversity, Civilex encourage other employers to work in partnership with DeakinTALENT to achieve best business outcomes.

To find out more about this strategic partnership click here. 

A well-executed business plan can determine the success of your business. First and foremost, you need to determine if you need a shop front. Find out more about what you need to consider when choosing a location for your business click here.

Did you know that Pinterest users can now search for products using their cameras or by uploading photos? To find out how this creates another avenue for shoppers to discover small businesses selling online click here. 

#lensfunction   #visualsearchengine

Applications to attend the Australia Tourism Exchange 2020 (ATE20) are now open. Organised by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria, ATE20 will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10 to 14 May. The event will bring together Australian tourism businesses, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world.

For more information click here.

Altona Lifesaving Club Pavilion on the Esplanade was transformed into a Western BACE Pop-Up Innovation Hub from Monday 7 – Friday 11 October. Business professionals from across Melbourne visited and experienced business at the beach and took part in business activities including co-working, working, workshops, mentoring and networking.

Find Your Why is the follow up to Start with Why, the global bestseller and the subject of the third most watched TED Talk of all time. With Start With Why, Simon Sinek inspired a movement to build a world in which the vast majority of us can feel safe while we are at work and fulfilled when we go home at night. Now, along with two of his colleagues, Peter Docker and David Mead, Sinek has created a guide to the most important step any business can take: finding your why. This easy-to-follow guide starts with the search for your personal why, and then expands to helping your colleagues find your organisation's why. To download the eBook click here.

1 & 5/12 Techno Park Drive Williamstown - For Sale

Contact Mitch Rosam on 0402 355 805

18-71 Harcourt Road, Altona - For Sale

Contact Drew Williams on 0408 013 968

405 Grieve Parade, Altona North - For Sale

Contact Anthony Ongarello on 0448 890 461

2/51 Hudsons Road, Spotswood - For Lease

Contact Henry Chau on 0410 191 636

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.