June 2018 Edition

Published on 01 June 2018

 
Welcome to the Hobsons Bay Business e-Works
June is another busy month for the Hobsons Bay business community, with a range of events and programs being delivered across the municipality. 
 
Council's DYOB Coffee Connect networking series is proving very popular. The June session this week at Heart of Hall is a sell out event. If you missed out, register now for the July event at Pitstop Cafe in Altona North. Pitstop Cafe is located in the Millers Junction business precinct and serves delicious food and coffee seven days a week. Come along to meet and network with other local business people.
 
Also this month, the Hobsons Bay Community Fund will be hosting their annual Business Networking Lunch on Friday 22 June at Seaview, Williamstown and catered by Hellenic Hotel. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards providing grants for Hobsons Bay community groups. 
 
For more information, or if you have any questions about doing business in Hobsons Bay, please contact us on 9932 1654 or email business@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
June 2018
In this edition:
Hobsons Bay Community Fund
- Business Networking Lunch -
Supported by Mercedes Benz
Join Hobsons Bay Community Fund at their third business networking luncheon at Seaview, Williamstown on Friday 22 June 2018. Help celebrate Hobsons Bay Community Fund's 12 years of contribution to the local community by joining local business leaders and state politicians at one of Williamstown's finest locations, catered by Hellenic Hotel.
 
By attending you will be contributing to raising funds that are distributed as annual grants to community groups. For more details click here.
 
Date: Friday 22 June
Time: 12pm to 3.00pm
Location: Seaview Williamstown, 71 Morris St, Williamstown
Cost: $150 per person (includes three-course lunch and a drink on arrival)
To register: click here
Events, workshops, networking and more
One page business plan workshop - Monday 4 June
 
A good business plan should be no more than one page. It should set out your strategy for the year ahead, outline opportunities to grow your business, keeping you accountable along the way. A good business plan should include targets and measurable milestones.
 
In this workshop hosted by Modoras, you will create a one page business plan with all the key information and tools required to gain focus and direction for your business.
Come along and set your sights for business success.
 
Date: Monday 4 June
Time: 6pm to 7.30pm
Location: Modoras, 39 Cabot Drive, Altona North
Cost: Free
To register: click here
Effective business networking: Tips to connect with ease - Wednesday 13 June
Effective networking is so much more than schmoozing or handing out business cards. It’s also about establishing trust and building a supportive community around you.
 
Learn how to network with natural ease rather than hanging back or getting nowhere fast. Pick up practical tips, techniques and expert guidance at this essential two-hour workshop that will show you how to build trust, connections and grow your business.
 
Date: Wednesday 13 June
Time: 8am to 10am
Location: Hobsons Bay Civic Centre, 115 Civic Parade, Altona
Cost: $20
To register: click here
DYOB Coffee Connect Business Networking - Wednesday 4 July
 
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.
 
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. Attendance is free, but places are limited. Get in quick to avoid disappointment and don’t forget to bring your business cards!
 
Date: Wednesday 4 July 
Time: 7.30am to 8.30am
Location: Pitstop Cafe, 300/302-330 Millers Rd, Altona North
Cost: Free
To register: click here

 

Creatives and Entrepreneurs - Save the Date 
Are you an innovator, thinker, creator, artist, designer or entrepreneur, and interested in meeting other like-minded people from across Melbourne's West?
 
In partnership with key stakeholders from across Melbourne's west, Council is planning a networking event for creatives and entrepreneurs. Join us for an evening of knowledge sharing, experiences and collaboration.
 
Date: Wednesday 25 July 
Time: 6pm to 7.30pm (doors open at 5.45pm)
Location: The Substation, 1 Market St, Newport
Cost: Free
To register: click here
In the last month
OfficeOurs Launch - Thursday 10 May
On 10 May, OfficeOurs held a launch and networking event at their new Spotswood office. Following the launch of Hobson Bay’s newest service office and coworking centre, attendees were treated to a tour of the facilities and had the chance to network with other small business owners from across Melbourne’s West.
Photo courtesy of Us & Co Photography
Quote from Mayor Angela Altair:
 
"It’s an exciting time to be in business in the rapidly expanding western region and Hobsons Bay is very fortunate to be the gateway to the west. Our city’s business offering needs to constantly evolve and develop and it's valuable businesses like OfficeOurs that are working closely with Council to provide spaces for the kind of connection and growth our area needs.
 
With a proud industrial heritage, Hobsons Bay is home to major national and international companies, through to well-established family-owned and home-based businesses. OfficeOurs adds to the mix perfectly and complements our business profile. Welcome to the neighbourhood OfficeOurs!" 
Spotlight
Able Industries Engineering - finalists in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards
Congratulations to Able Industries Engineering for being a finalist in the Victorian Manufacturing Hall of Fame awards. This award recognises manufacturing excellence and highlights innovation and strengths of Victorian companies across the manufacturing industry. 
 
Established in 1975 as a small sheet metal fabricator in South Kingsville and Spotswood, Able Industries Engineering recently celebrated it’s 40th Birthday as a successful Australian-family owned and operated company. Their core competencies lie in delivering on high-quality specifications for niche projects and difficult engineering requirements across a range of markets. Some of the business’ most iconic projects the public would recognise around Melbourne alone, include Crown Casino and Federation Square – right down to smaller public infrastructure projects such as rubbish bins and planter boxes.
 
Able Industries Engineering was a finalist in the 2017 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards and Hobsons Bay Business of the Year in 2011Click here to find out more about Able Industries Engineering. 
2017 Hobsons Bay Business Excellence Awards Winner - Home Based
 
Get Farmed is a boutique food company with 'heart' according to founder Lynne Skene. With a mission of making the best quality products and working closely with farmers to source the finest ingredients, this company has gone from strength to strength. They sell healthy, nutritious 100 percent Australian food products directly to consumers in China and Singapore.
 
JUDGES' COMMENTS:
"Get Farmed is committed to networking and working with other businesses in Hobsons Bay. They are launching a suite of new products in the next six months, with a continued focus on healthy eating and healthy products for children. Get Farmed has plans for expansion in their export market from 5% to 30% over the next five years. They currently export to Singapore and China. They are heavily involved in the local community and are a great success story for home-based businesses."
 
For more information about Get Farmed, click here.
Industry Capability Network (ICN) Gateway
Industry Capability Network (ICN) is an independent business network that introduces Australian and New Zealand companies to projects large and small.
 
ICN helps bring Australian suppliers and project owners together by giving exclusive access to their powerful online database and extensive network of Business Growth consultants.
The result: more work for Australian businesses. 
 
To date, they have helped local suppliers find $30 billion worth of contracts. To find out more and to join, click here.
Business News
Budget Announcements - Creating jobs and a strong economy
To view the Federal Budget and find out what it means to you and your business click here.
 
To view the State Budget  and find out what it means to you and your business click here.
Jobs and Skills
The Federal Government is committed to helping people aged over 55 to stay or move into the workforce with a range of initiatives, including:
  • expanding the Restart Wage Subsidy for Australians aged 50 years and over by providing up to $10k to employers to support workers to continue their career
  • establishing a Collaborative Partnership on Mature Age Employment
  • rolling out the Skills Checkpoint for Older Workers Program to Australians aged 45 to 70 to provide workers with advice on how to best use their existing skills in the workforce, or identify opportunities for upskilling
  • establishing a new Skills and Training Incentive to provide up to $2k per worker to fund reskilling opportunities for eligible individuals aged 45 to 70
For more information click here.
Changes to ATO requirements for employers
Single Touch Payroll is a reporting change for employers with 20 or more employees.
 
Starting 1 July 2018 impacted employers will report payments such as salaries and wages, pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and superannuation information from your payroll solution each time you pay your employees. Single Touch Payroll will be expanded to include employers with 19 or less employees from 1 July 2019.
 
This is subject to legislation being passed in parliament. To find out how this affects you click here.
Licences and permits for your business
Did you know you know that you can find government licenses, permits, approvals, registrations, codes of practice, standards and guidelines to run your business in one simple search?
 
The Australian Business Licence and Information Service (ABLIS) is a tool that can help you spend less time sorting through paperwork and more time running your business. Click here to find out more. 
Boost Your Business Vouchers Programs - open 4 June
The next round of Boost Your Business (BYB) Vouchers by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport & Resources (DEDJTR) will open 4 June and close 13 July. 
 
Eligible Voucher Recipients may be able to receive up to:
  • $50,000 under the Advanced Victorian Manufacturing Stream
  • $50,000 under the Asia Gateway Stream
  • $50,000* under the Food Innovation Stream
  • $25,000 under the Social Enterprise Capability Stream
*Up to $10,000 for early stage feasibility and testing vouchers
 
For more information and eligibility criteria click here.
VIC Tourism Conference - coming in July
Registrations are open for the VIC Tourism Conference to be held on 30-31 July at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort
 
The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) aims to bring the best minds in tourism, events and beyond to the table for two dynamic days of dialogue, adventure, connection and knowledge. From the grass roots to the innovation of tomorrow, the VIC Tourism Conference is designed to support and transform the tourism industry on all levels.
 
Tourism is...YOUR Business and to find out more click here.
Awards
2018 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards - now open
The 2018 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards is for businesses and individuals who have operated in Victoria between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018.
 
Entry is free and you can apply online by answering a series of questions that will be collectively scored up to a maximum of 100 points (50 points for individual categories). Entrants to the business categories will undergo a site visit inspection which can attract an additional 20 points. Some site visits are not scored and individual categories do not receive a site visit.
 
Previous local winners and finalists from these awards include:
  • Autopia 2017 Winner Tourism and Transport Operators (2016 Finalist also)
  • Gourmet Pawprint 2017 Finalist Tourism and Transport Operators
  • Captains Retreat 2011 Winner People's Choice Awards for Guest Satisfaction
The winners of categories 1-25 automatically enter the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to compete as the best in the country.
 
For more information and eligibility criteria, click here. Nominations close 5pm Saturday 30 June 2018.
Completed entries must be submitted by 4pm Monday 13 August 2018 (for both business and individual categories).
Anthill's SMART100 Awards
The SMART 100 Index is the largest awards program dedicated to innovation in Australia.
 
Who should enter?
  • entrepreneurs and startups
  • corporate innovators
  • small business owners
  • creative professionals
Gain positive exposure, public recognition and let your hardwork shine! Award nominations are open until 22 June. For more information click here.
The 2018 Victorian Premier's Sustainability Awards
Award nominations are still open until 7 June.
 
Entering the Sustainability Awards is a great chance to reflect on your project, share the achievements of your initiatives to a wider audience and be recognised as a leader in sustainability. Finalists and winners are marketed to customers, media and local community throughout Victoria.
 
Entering is easy, click here to submit your application. 
Grants
A number of grants are available this month:
 
Property update
For sale or lease
 
Contact John Camilleri on 0409 327 120
 
Contact Glyn Bosisto on 0414 304 580
3 Misten Avenue, Altona North - For Lease
Contact Allan Barry on 9687 1344
 
Contact Ervin Niyaz on 0404 808 327
 
Contact James Lockwood on 0402 824 441
 
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.
Sustainability
Apply to improve the sustainability of your business and save!
Council's Energy$mart program helps eligible businesses to save energy by upgrading lighting, installing solar power generation and obtaining government subsidies and finance. To date, Council has assisted with the implementation of 29 projects through its Energy$mart program and local businesses have achieved energy savings of more than $285,000 per annum!
 
As a Hobsons Bay business you may be eligible for a subsidy of up to $5,000, and there is still time to apply before the end of the financial year. For more information or to apply, click here or contact Council on 03 9932 1298.
Community Connection
2019 Community Grants Program - opens 4 June
 
Can a Council grant assist your group to meet a local need? Hobsons Bay City Council’s 2019 Community Grants Program opens on 4 June 2018 and closes on 1 August 2018.
 
For more information or to apply, click here. 
Pick My Project - open for submission
 
Pick My Project is a Victorian first community grants initiative, with $30 million available to fund local projects. Come up with a project idea, vote for your favourites, and make your community an even better place to live. 
 
To find out more about this exciting funding program click here. Get in quick, submissions close 24 June 2018.