Business Calendar

Mental Health First Aid Training Brown Hill Public Hall

Cost: $295

We are offering Mental Health First Aid Training for individuals at the Brown Hill Hall, on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd May. 9.30-4.00. Open to anyone over 18. See brochure for more information.

Register here

The Executive Roundtable The Lakeview Hotel

Curious for something interesting?

Curious for something new in Ballarat?

We’re not networking.
We’re not just another event.
We’re not about handing out business cards and trying to “sell” to each other.

What we are is executive peer support.

Every month, the same groups of 12 leaders come together to connect, learn, and grow. Over the course of a year, these leaders tackle real business challenges, sharing strategies, insights, and actionable steps that they can implement immediately.

This isn’t about just listening to amazing keynotes (although we do that too). When we meet, we unpack the insights and words of wisdom from those keynotes and our own lived experiences, determining practical ways to improve and adapt our business strategies. This is deep, focused learning with peers who are in the trenches, just like you.

And once a quarter, we bring together all the Roundtables for a Super Roundtable, where we hear from exemplar keynote speakers on subjects that matter most to our businesses’ success. This is a unique opportunity to learn from global thought leaders and network with a wider community of business owners and executives.

No fluff. No empty pitches. Just real conversations, shared experiences, and practical advice from peers who have been there, done that.

Ready to be part of a community that’s all about support, growth, and transformation? The Executive Roundtable experience is being launched in Ballarat and your invited.

Reach out to Philip Ransome, Rod Byford or 💡Suzanne Murphy for more info or click on the link to reserve your seat

I’d like your feedback on this. Please add your comments on the document itself.

BALLARAT MAY 1ST 2025.pdf

Register here

GWMT Industry Forum - 2025 and Beyond: Shaping the Future of Tourism. Halls Gap Recreation Reserve, Halls Gap cricket oval Halls Gap, VIC 3381

Join us for an inspiring and Industry Forum event at Grampians Grape Escape, where we’ll come together to discuss resilience, recovery, and the optimistic future of our beloved tourism industry following recent challenges. This forum is not just an event; it’s a chance to reconnect, become uplifted, and explore innovative ideas that can help our community and businesses thrive.

We’re excited to announce Curtis McGrath OAM as our keynote speaker. As a Paralympic gold medallist, Invictus Games ambassador, and former Australian Army combat engineer, Curtis brings an inspiring story of leadership, resilience, and determination that will set the tone for a powerful afternoon. Following Curtis, Brendan McClements, CEO of Visit Victoria, will discuss the role of tourism in our recovery, ensuring we’re all on the right path moving forward.

But that’s not all! We’re excited to host a Business Panel featuring local investors who are passionate about revitalizing our region. With a diverse lineup from around the region, this panel promises to spark dynamic discussions about investing in the Grampians and Wimmera Mallee.

Mark Gunning from the CFA will then share insights on safety and preparedness, followed by Charlie Richardson from Parks Victoria, who will discuss the importance of our natural spaces in tourism recovery. We’ll wrap up with a presentation on the new GWMT Visitor App and Kiosks, ensuring we're equipped with the best tools (sustainably) to engage our visitors.

Concluding the forum, you will have the opportunity to network, enjoy a wine and celebrate the resilient spirit of the Grampians community at the Feel Good Friday event at Grampians Grape Escape.

This is a forum not to be missed, seats are limited so sign up today.

Let’s recover, reconnect, and rejuvenate together.

Register here

Getting paid on time Online

Cost: Free

Cash flow is a major concern among Victorian small businesses. The cost of doing business is reducing margins and unfortunately many small business owners are not being paid on time for their goods and services.

Join Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith to hear practical guidance on how you can give yourself the best chance possible of being paid on time. The Commissioner will also provide guidance on how to follow-up outstanding invoices, and what pathways of escalation are available to you.

Register here

Sales Surge Online

Cost: $20-30

Do you sell something? Every Business does!

Join Marcus Millgate as he takes a deep dive into the customer journey, and discover what you can do to ensure the online and physical shopping experience can be harmonised and enhanced to optimise traffic, purchase and repurchase.

Get inside your customers' minds to understand why and how they purchase and how that information can practically influence your business decisions.

Marcus is acommercially strong, highly regarded networked leader, with a proven history of business growth and profit acceleration in over 20 years of partner management, brand leadership, retail media planning, ecommerce, sales and marketing technology experience. He has managed the partnerships of many of the world's leading brands on a global, regional and local scale, driving revenue growth in Online Marketplaces and Brick and Mortar Retail.

Register here

May Biznet Breakfast Selkirk Stadium

Join us at the upcoming BizNet Breakfast for an update on the State Government of Victoria’s Plan for Victoria. Don’t miss the expert panel discussion exploring the plan, the reality and the future of our beautiful city. Important conversation to be a part of!

Facilitated by CB Chair Darren Trigg, who will be joined by:

Leah Clark, Managing Director Inception Planning

Natalie Robertson, Director Development & Growth, City of Ballarat 

Register here

Tour of New Ballarat Showgrounds 6 Rose Hill Road, Mount Rowan, VIC, 3352

Come and join us as we get to explore the new Ballarat Showgrounds location. The Ballarat Agricultural & Pastoral Society will guide us through the new layout and explain what the new space can offer. This opportunity is only open to Commerce Ballarat Members.

Register here

TMV Industry Excursions - Cyril Callister Museum & Beaufort Visitor Centre Cyril Callister Museum & the Beaufort Information Centre

Cost: $0.00

Join the TMV and City of Ballarat Visitor Servicing Team in an upcoming Industry Excursion.

Front-of-house staff across the hospitality, accommodation and attractions sectors interact with visitors on a daily basis. But do they have the knowledge and confidence to provide visitors with recommendations on things to do while they're in town?

Our new Industry Excursions are a perfect opportunity for your staff to learn more about what's on offer to visitors.

Hosted by Tourism Midwest Victoria, in collaboration with the City of Ballarat's Visitor Servicing Team, the monthly tours will provide your staff with a information about upcoming events, and behind-the-scenes tours of local hotels, restaurants and cafes.

Un-pack the exciting town of Beaufort - explore the space for all vegemite lovers and understand where to find the best visitor information!

Register here

BRAINSWEET- Building Mental Resilience Ararat RSL

With the challenges our community are facing, we get so busy trying to survive day to day that we forget to look after ourselves. This hands on, experiential workshop will be a positive, empowering few hours where participants will learn how they can proactively influence their psychological wellbeing. Interwoven into her own history with depression, Clare will introduce some key concepts from neuro-science to help participants understand the important role our brain plays in our well-being. With those concepts as a basis, she will then share five simple strategies that can help everyone enhance their well-being. The workshop will be both evidence based (referring to neuro-scientific research) AND experiential – participants get to practice some of the strategies there and then in the session.

Like refreshments included. 

Register here

Business Day Out 2025 Ballarat Goods Shed

Business Day Out 2025 will be a half day program featuring a variety of keynote speakers and the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals from across regional Victoria throughout the afternoon.

Speakers to be announced soon and more details to come...

Register here

Nabenet Regional Lunch Series The Grand Ballarat

Cost: FREE

Join us for an insightful educational event focused on mastering efficient injury management. This session will explore the essential tools and strategies available to enhance return-to-work (RTW) outcomes while promoting overall health and wellbeing. Learn how to effectively manage injuries, streamline processes, and support your workforce in recovering faster and stronger. Whether you're a manager, HR professional, or injury management specialist, this event will provide valuable insights to improve both individual and organisational success in managing injuries and fostering a healthier, more productive workplace.

Register here