Colac & District Chamber of Commerce

Business Newsletter ** MAY 2nd, 2019 - EDITION 3 **

Colac & District Chamber of

Commerce & Industry

87 Bromfield Street

(PO Box 343) Colac VIC, 3250

T 03 5219 3901

Email - admin@colacchamber.com.au

Website - http://colacchamber.com.au/

Office Hours 9-5pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

In this issue: Colac Otway Strategy to

drive economic growth

Purple chip Processing

Article

Federal funding for

Colac Bike Track Article

NEW MEMBER

March Yarns

George Taylor's Store

Colac - End of lease

Sale.

Prominent North

Geelong Business –

How Bazaar Article

Lease for Creative

Otway’s for new Colac

Makers Space Article

Localised is a place-based business network

Colac Chamber of

Commerce & Industry

Events.

ANZ Colac Otway

Business Excellence

Awards 2019

Five warning signs your

business is in trouble

Colac Chamber of Commerce

“Radio Show”

We are now taking Businesses and

Volunteer Groups Names to take part in

our interview segment of the Business

Radio Program called the “The Run

Home”.

We discuss all the local business issues

that affect or influence the ongoing

prosperity of our community, an

introduction about your business and so

much more.

If you’re a business and interested in

participating in this Business Radio

Program please make contact via email,

phone or call into our offices.

CORRECTION FROM EDITION 2

The Business Award are held every

2nd year at the Colac Otway

Performing Arts & Cultural Centre

and not at the Colac Bowling Club

@ the Lake if there was any

confusion.

The Launch for the Business Awards

will be held at the Colac Bowling Club

@ The Lake in June.

NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN

THE CHAMBER OF

COMMERCE & INDUSTRY!!

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

Owner Operator

(0 full-time employees) $129 YR

Micro Business

(1-3 full-time employees) $199 YR

Small/Medium Business

(4-10 full-time employees) $299 YR

Large Business

(11+ full-time employees) $399 YR

Community Support Members

(non-business) $29 YR

WHO IS THE CHAMBER?

A not-for-profit, Colac Otway Shire

based business organisation.

CDCCI is dedicated to improving the

economic environment of our

community by strengthening

business through advocacy &

networking. A recent partnership with

the Victorian Chamber of Commerce

means a stronger voice for the local

business community.

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COLAC’S EMPLOYEE OF MONTH FOR DECEMBER

Congratulations to Colac Toyworld’s Sharon Williamson

Sharon has been working at Toyworld for

three years.

Sharon has prided herself on customer service and said that’s what retail is all about.

Sharon mentioned that Toyworld in Colac had a fun atmosphere to work in and she enjoyed helping people choose a toy for their children

Sharon said, “one thing we can do is to encourage the local community to shop locally if businesses can offer a high standard of customer service.”

Sharon from Colac Toyworld article was in the Colac Herald on Monday, April 22nd, 2019.

Marketing your business: How to get it right first time

Session Times - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

When - Wednesday 22 May 2019

Price - $20

Location - Quest Warrnambool

Liebig Street, Warrnambool 3280

CONTACT INFORMATION

5559 4925

ecodev@warrnambool.vic.gov.au

Eddie Ivermee

Summary

An effective marketing strategy should boost

your brand, capture customers, keep them

coming back, and ultimately save you time

and money.

Find out why just a website and a Facebook

page are not going to cut it at this back-to-

basics workshop that will show you how to

develop a marketing action plan to keep your

effort and resources focused in the right

areas

If you require further information on this

workshop, please click on the link below -

https://www.business.vic.gov.au/events/

view?id=E21463

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Colac Otway Strategy to drive economic growth

Colac Otway Shire Council will continue to promote local tourism, focus on attracting new investors to the shire, support a range of events and help create jobs as part of its four-year Economic Development Strategy.

“Business and industry representatives across retail, services, manufacturing, agriculture, food and fibre, health, tourism and events were involved in multiple workshops, discussions and a targeted email survey during the development of the draft strategy,” Cr Schram said.

“Council agreed to the strategy going on exhibition in October and the community had six weeks to consider the plan and make a comment.

“Council is looking forward to continuing to increase opportunities for the shire’s economic growth and the community’s quality of life.”

The full story of the Colac Otway Shire Economic Growth can be found via clicking

on the link below

https://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/News-media/Colac-Otway-Strategy-to-drive-

economic-growth

Purple chip processing receives green light from

Colac Otway Shire

“They have a 25-year license, with 24 years to run, to grow coloured potatoes and will now be able to add value to their product with the introduction of a crisp/chip processing plant.

“The owners currently grow about 1,500 tonnes of potatoes a year and have about 300 head of stock.

“In 2016 they launched the brand DK's Purple Potato Chips, producing about 200,000 packets of chips over three trial runs.

Six staff will be employed to operate the plant, along with one administration person and there will be no retail sales from the farm, only wholesale deliveries.

To read more about this very exciting business expansion please via the following

link Source

http://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/News-media/Purple-chip-processing-receives-

green-light-from-Colac-Otway-Shire

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Federal funding for Colac bike race facility

The Colac Regional Velodrome’s crumbling surface will have an upgrade, thanks to a $320,000 Federal Government grant. Member for Wannon Dan Tehan who visited Colac

Colac’s run-down old velodrome will receive a much-needed makeover thanks to the Federal Government.

The government this week announced $320,000 for upgrades to the Colac Regional Velodrome at Elliminiite Recreation Reserve, ticking the first box on the reserve’s $5.2-million master plan.

“The velodrome is badly in need of repair. It is a hub for regional cycling competitions, and as such, funding for the velodrome would be to the benefit of cyclists from all over south-west Victoria.

“It’s terrific to be able to announce it, it’s real money, and it’s in the budget so we can get cracking straight away.” Mr. Tehan said there would be “more to come”.

To read more about this article which was in the Colac Herald on April 12th 2019 – here

is the link

https://colacherald.com.au/2019/04/

federal-funding-for-colac-bike-race-facility/

Welcome NEW MEMBER MARCH YARNS

Welcome to March Yarns, Colac's new specialist yarn shop.

They offer classes and special events and stock lots of great products including quality hand knitting supplies, crochet hooks, books, patterns and gifts.

March Yarns opened in April 2019 and aims to provide Colac and the South West with a thriving hub for knitters and crochets of all abilities and budgets.

It offers a welcoming environment and support from its staff with projects and in creative decision-making. We promote the pleasure and creativity of knitting, crochet and other crafts and the joy of making things and 'going slow'.

The name 'March Yarns' is inspired by the

start of Autumn in Australia and the coziness that comes with the change of weather - perfect for knitting and crocheting lovely warm garments and blankets. We also reference the March daughters from 'Little Women' - Jo (especially Jo), Meg, Beth and Amy - industrious, creative, talented characters whose stories provided such enjoyment.

Address

139 Murray Street Colac, Victoria

Telephone - 03 5231 3652

Find them on Instagram and Facebook

Email - info@marchyarns.com.au

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George Taylor's Store Colac - End of Lease Sale.

Everything must go!

All shop stock reduced for two weeks only. The sale started on April 29/4/19.

Shop fixtures and shelving are also available.

The Team from George Taylors would like to thank their customers for their continued patronage over many years, and they look forward to hopefully seeing you in their Camperdown store soon!

Camperdown store

Address: 215 Manifold Street,

Camperdown Victoria 3260

Phone: 03 5593 1558

Genuinely unique, George Taylor's Stores stock an extraordinarily diverse range of new, surplus, imported and rare merchandise - including hardware, camping gear, office furniture, car accessories, kitchenware, clothing, ex-industrial and government equipment and much, much more

Visit the Grassmere store, famous Australia-wide for its 2-acres of merchandise under one roof, that is sure to delight even the most avid bargain hunter.

Prominent North Geelong Business – How Bazaar in last

days before Colac Move

Dave Cairns, Geelong Advertiser / April 26, 2019

North Geelong vintage and collectables business How

Bazaar is moving to Colac after being unable to find an

alternative premise in Geelong.

Owner Peter Summers said the move was

precipitated by his landlord’s intention to sell the

building How Bazaar had traded in for 16 years and an

increase in rent. Mr Summers said he had been priced

out of the market.

“We had to get out,” he said. “And we could not afford

to buy or rent a place in Geelong.”

Mr Summers said 40-50 per cent of his business was

now online and loyal clients had flagged they would

follow the business down the Princess Highway.

He said the move to Colac would allow How Bazaar to

develop its own patch away from competition, tap into

Otway district tourism and open the door to Western

District customers.

The North Geelong premises will close on Sunday

28/4/19 ahead of its move to Skene St, Colac

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Lease for Creative Otway’s for new Colac Makers Space

Creative Otway’s Inc will set up the Colac

Makers Space in the former Colac library

annexe and share the new community space

with other groups.

Colac Camera Club, Colac Wednesday

Painters and Colac Community Art Mob are

among the groups expected to share the space

which is now accessible from an entrance near

COPACC’s Gellibrand Street entrance.

“Six of the nine groups will have an opportunity

to share the space, with a licence granted to

Creative Otway’s as the head tenant, which will

be responsible for community access and cost

recovery from other groups.

“Council wanted the former library space to be

available for the community and having arts

groups share the room near COPACC is a

great outcome.

Creative Otway’s will enter a one-year lease

with two one-year options, at a rate of $150 a

year and the group will be responsible for

insurance and utilities.

To read more about this fabulous outcome for the Community Groups just click the link and it

will take you to the full article – https://www.miragenews.com/lease-for-

creative-otways-for-new-colac-makers-space/

Colac Otway Localised

First business-to-business network for the Colac Otway

Region

WHAT IS COLAC OTWAY LOCALISED?

It allows local businesses to promote themselves, connect with other local businesses and discover all the latest local business events and projects on offer. And it’s FREE!

The only catch?

Your business must be located within the G21 Region - Colac Otway

Whether you're looking to promote, connect, or discover ways to grow your business, if you do business in the Colac Otway Region, you need to get Localised.

Where local business connects

Localised is a place-based business network that advances local economies by connecting local businesses to each other, local expertise, business events & opportunities.

A high impact, low cost and fully hosted platform, delivering specifically to the needs of the B2B economy.

It is delivered in partnership across local government and local chambers, networks and businesses.

Build rich data and gain new insights into your local economy and business activity,

Connect your business today

www.SurfCoast.Localised.com.au

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“BUSINESS AFTER 5” EVENT

As we move forward as a Chamber, we will be having some “after 5” events also happening.

Businesses, as we know, having an event after 5pm

can be a lot easier to attend than a one during the day or

in the morning.

What is an after 5 Event?

Wrap up your working day with an ‘After Five’ networking event to meet up with

fellow Colac & Surrounds business owners and foster new business relationships with them.

This is a great social event whilst also interlinking with other small businesses locally.

Promote your brand/Business, products and services to people from the Colac Chamber of Commerce & Industry Members.

All details for the launch of the first “after 5” event

will be out soon.

So, make sure you keep an eye out on the Colac Chamber of Commerce & Industry Facebook Page, Instagram Page, Email and also a Face to Face visit from a Colac Chamber of Commerce & Industry Member.

This will be an event not to be missed, and one that all allocated seating will be at capacity also.

But if you’re a business or you could be a co-host and do one perhaps with another local business, please register your interest via emailing the Colac Chamber on admin@colacchamber.com.au or our phone number 03 5219 3901.

Don’t forget our state-of-the-art office also which are at 87 Bromfield Street (PO Box 343) Colac VIC 3250. Please feel free to

call in and have a chat about this event also; we would love to hear from you.

COLAC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY –

EVENTS

Our First workshop will be delivered by an experienced social media consultant and the Colac Chamber of Commerce Executive, this essential Small Business Colac Chamber of Commerce & Industry Workshop.

Social media is everywhere these days plus it's fast becoming a necessity to connect with a variety of people.

This is a fabulous FREE marketing platform to

promote your business, a sale you are having, new products who have in store, allowing customers/clients to leave feedback and a rating about your Business. In this Facebook Workshop, we will be covering so many points of interest that could be very beneficial for you and your business on every growing Facebook – Social Media. Well, get set to take away the basics of what you need to know about Facebook marketing, the resources required to get started and a plan that you can action as quickly as of tomorrow at this essential small business workshop.

All details for this Workshop will be out soon.

So, make sure you keep an eye out on the Colac

Chamber of Commerce & Industry Facebook Page, Instagram, Email and also a Face to Face visit from a

Colac Chamber of Commerce & Industry Member.

But this will be a workshop not to be missed, and one that all allocated seating will be at

capacity also.

The cost for this workshop will be –

FREE for members

$10 non-member

Event date TBA

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COLAC & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

PRESENTS

THE ANZ COLAC OTWAY BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2019 @ COPACC

ON OCTOBER 26th

The Colac Otway Business Excellence Awards is a spectacular event which has been developed and

organized to reward and celebrate Colac Otway’s many dynamic and innovative businesses.

This incredible event is now in its 23rd year with the Business Awards launch in June 2019 and culminating

with a high-profile Gala Awards Dinner and the Ceremony being held on October 26 th.

It’s a time when the Colac Otway Business Community honours its most precocious performances. It gives the

Colac and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry a great pleasure and honour to join with other

community-minded organisations and become a sponsor of the Colac Otway Business Excellence awards in

2019.

WHY SPONSOR.

An intensive four-month marketing campaign, supported by our media partners, will ensure the Awards

are extensively promoted, providing significant publicity potential for sponsors as well as valuable brand

association.

Sponsoring the Colac Otway Business Excellence Awards provides the ideal platform to showcase your

business to some of the many Colac Otway most vibrant businesses and also our fabulous community

also, this is an opportunity for your organization to become a key partner in the awards process and

share the benefits of defining the outstanding businesses in our region.

BENEFITS OF BEING A SPONSOR

High Profile Publicity Campaign – pre and post awards, crediting your company as a sponsor on all

news releases issues to promote the Awards.

Branding on all marketing material – used to promote the Awards

High-visibility branding and sponsorship credit – during the awards presentation.

Unlimited use of the Colac Chamber Awards Sponsors Logo – pre and post event, this will enable

you to display the logo on all your company letterheads and marketing literature to enhance your

company’s profile and corporate image, subject to approval from the awards team.

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The 2019 Colac Otway Business Excellence Awards offer three main types of

sponsorship packages, and these are as follows: -

LEVEL

COST + GST

BENEFITS

GOLD –

CATEGORY SPONSOR

$2,600 + GST

Only sponsor one of the listed categories

30 second professionally produced presentation of your business that is shown on the awards night then yours to keep for marketing purposes

4 Complimentary Tickets to the Gala Night

2 Pop Up Banners to be displayed on the Awards Night

Prominent Display on the Media Wall at the Gala Night

Other Benefits in the four months lead up the Awards Night

SILVER -

TABLE SPONSOR

$600 + GST

or

2 sponsored tables for $1,000 + GST

1 Complimentary Ticket to the Gala Awards Night

1 Pop Up Banner on display at the Awards Night (at your cost)

Display of your business name on the media wall on the Gala Awards Night

Other Benefits in the four months lead up the Awards Night

Including Souvenir Program Recognition

BRONZE –

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

$200 + GST

This sponsorship is for businesses that support the Business Awards and the valuable contribution it makes to the community

Business to be recognised as a supporting sponsor in Gala Award Program

ALL SPONSORSHIP’S NEED TO BE

COMPLETED BY 10/5/19 @ 5PM

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THESE ARE THE AWARD CATEGORIES AVAILABLE FOR

SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 2019 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Excellence in Agribusiness, Sustainability, & Environment

Excellence in Tourism, Special Events

Excellence in Retail

Excellence in Professional Services

Excellence in Hospitality

Excellence in Micro & Small Business

Excellence in Medium to Large Business

Excellence in Customer Service

Excellence in Manufacturing, Construction & Trade

New Business

Employee of the Year

Trainee/Apprentice of the Year

Young Business Achiever

Business Person of the Year

People’s Choice Award – Best Business