Commerce Ballarat

Get Ready to GROW - 6 Week Program
2025-02-05 08:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
Unlock Your Business Potential with the “Get Ready to Grow” 6-Week Program!
Do you need to allocate time to work ON your business instead of IN your business?
The Sharing Shed Get Ready to Grow 6-week Program is here to help you assess, build, and thrive!
Whether have just started out or looking to scale, this program is for YOU!
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain the confidence and knowledge to grow your business.
What You’ll Get:
▶️ A Plan on a Page
▶️ 12-month Roadmap
▶️ Expert guidance from seasoned business mentors.
▶️ Networking with like-minded entrepreneurs.
▶️ Practical tools & resources to implement right away.
How it Works:
▶️ The program is ran as a hybrid with some in person sessions and others online via ZOOM
▶️ Program commences Wednesday 5th February 2025
▶️ Program concludes Wednesday 12th March 2025
▶️ 1-on-1 mentoring for an hour each week – times to be agreed with each participant
▶️Group session every Wednesday from 5pm to 6pm via zoom
NEW YEAR SPECIAL OFFER – 50% Off!
$250.00 per person (+gst)
Limited spots available! Apply now and start your journey towards business success

Drive Thru Tradie Network Breakfast
2025-02-14 09:00 - 09:30 | Lake Wendouree, Windmill Drive, Lake Wendouree, Victoria, VIC, Australia
Bright and early on February 14th, we are hosting a Drive Thru Tradie Network Breakfast! Come and join us down by Lake Wendouree to discuss the serious issues surrounding mental health and ways to offer support, resources, or just a willing ear. Swing through to grab a free Bacon & Egg Roll and Coffee!
This event is held in partnership with Hayme’s Paint and Ballarat Men’s Mental Health, as well as in support of Delaney Troon. Delaney is a young local taking a stand for mental health awareness by running 21 kilometres a day for 21 days, starting February 9. This challenge aims to raise $210,000 for Ballarat Men’s Mental Health, a wonderful charity focused on improving mental health support for men in the region, where suicide rates are alarmingly high. Join the fight for better mental health today!

Tourism Midwest Victoria Deaf Awareness Training for Tourism and Hospitality
2025-02-17 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
In preparation for Sovereign Hill’s Auslan Day event, Tourism Midwest Victoria has partnered with Darren and Briana Beath from Auslan in the West to offer Deaf Awareness Training for local tourism and hospitality teams. This hands-on workshop will empower front-of-house staff to better serve deaf and hard-of-hearing visitors.
This is a fantastic opportunity for your team to:
• Gain valuable insights on effective communication strategies with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
• Learn cultural sensitivity and best practices for providing excellent service to deaf customers.
• Help ensure your business offers a welcoming and positive experience for visitors who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Your staff will learn about:
• Deaf culture and community
• Communication techniques for interacting with deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals
• Technology used by deaf and hard of hearing people to aid communication
• How to book an Auslan Interpreter
• Basic Auslan signs including the alphabet, numbers, greetings, drinks/food, and key visitor service phrases
How to register:
Complete the ticket order form with staff names and contact details. You’ll receive a confirmation email with your tickets.
Don’t miss this chance to make your business more inclusive and welcoming!

Retail leasing rights & responsibilities
2025-02-24 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
Both retail tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities under the Victorian Retail Leases Act 2003. This free webinar will provide an overview of those rights and responsibilities during a lease, and will draw upon lessons from common disputes overseen by the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC).
Join Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith to learn from key lessons from matters resolved through the VSBC’s dispute resolution and mediation services. The Commissioner will also share practical tips for both parties to mitigate the risk of disputes, and what to do if you cannot avoid or settle a retail leasing dispute yourself.

Tourism Midwest Victoria's Industry Briefing - February 2025
2025-02-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw St, Golden Point, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Cost: Free
Join us this February for our first Industry Briefing of the year.
How are you standing out in a competitive market? We know it’s tough out there, which is why this industry briefing we’ll explore ways you can strengthen your business and enhance customer value and service.
While you’re at it, don’t miss your chance to visit Soveriegn Hill’s new Wadawurrung Cultural Precinct and Chinese Protectorate Camp.
There are two behind-the-scenes tours available:

Before the briefing: 8.30–9.30am.
After the briefing: 11am–12noon.

Register for a tour when you book your ticket for this briefing.

How small businesses can avoid, de-escalate and resolve disputes
2025-03-03 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
Disputes are a distraction from business. Small business owners are invited to hear from Victorian Small Business Commissioner Lynda McAlary-Smith on:

Steps you can take to avoid potential disputes
Tips on how you can de-escalate a matter yourself
Guidance on dispute resolution pathways for business, including the VSBC’s mediation service.

The Victorian Small Business Commission delivers low-cost alternate dispute resolution services, providing small business owners an affordable alternative to litigation.
Contact Phone: 0459 542 115
Contact Email: nick.edrington@vsbc.vic.gov.au

March Biznet
2025-03-04 09:00 - 10:00 | Mercure Ballarat, 613 Main Road, Golden Point, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join us as we hear from 7-Eleven CEO Fiona Hayes.
Fiona joined 7-Eleven in 2022, as General Manager – Channel before being appointed CEO and Managing Director in July 2024. She is responsible for leading the 7-Eleven Australia team, driving the business strategy, growing the brand and maintaining the company’s position as Australia’s first choice in convenience retailing.
She has extensive experience in operations and retail networks having held a range of senior roles with Telstra over 26 years, including 12 years as part of the Telstra executive team.
Fiona thrives on engaging and leading large cross functional teams to deliver strategic customer, people and commercial outcomes. Fiona is a former Telstra Foundation Board member.
Fiona will share valuable insights, and this isn’t one to be missed.

Regional Business Roadshow - Ararat
2025-03-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Ararat RSL, 74-76 High St, Ararat, Victoria, 3377, Australia
gCost: $15
Join us for a concentrated half day session of learning and connection to refocus your business and gain valuable, timely insights from field experts.
Maximizing Exposure, Minimizing Budget: How to capitalise on low and no cost marketing opportunities
Facing Financials: Exploring SBRs before it’s too late
Do You Really Know Your Numbers? How to understand the back end of your business
Commerce Ballarat is proud to deliver this workshop in partnership with Greater Ararat Business Network and Ararat Rural City, supported by Regional Development Australia- Grampians.
Contact email: info@commerceballarat.com.au
Contact phone: 53333233

NextGen Collective - Barefoot Bowls
2025-03-13 17:30 - 19:30 | Midlands Golf Club, 330 Heinz Lane, Invermay Park, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join us at Midlands in March!
To start the year off with a bang we will be holding a Bare Foot Bowls night at Midlands Golf Club on March 13th. So grab your mates, colleagues, or just yourself and join us for a night full of laughs and fun!
Date: Thursday 13 March
Time: 5:30 -7:30pm
Location: Midlands Golf Club
Cost: Members $30 & Non Members $35 (includes x1 drink, finger food & game of Bare Foot Bowls)

Reimagining Retail - Ballarat
2025-03-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
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 a commercially 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.
Contact email: info@commerceballarat.com.au
Contact number: 53333233

Reimagining Retail - Ararat
2025-03-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Ararat RSL, 74-76 High St, Ararat, Victoria, 3377, Australia
Cost: $15
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 a commercially 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.
Contact email: info@commerceballarat.com.au
Contact phone: 53333233

#BallBEA2025 Launch Party
2025-03-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Ballarat Mining Exchange, 12-16 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Come and be a part of the 2025 Launch Party celebrating the commencement of the 2025 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards. Join us as we kick off the festivities and officially open the nominations for this prestigious program.
Drinks & nibbles provided.
This event will also showcase members of the Central Highlands Growers and Producers Hub, highlighting a diverse range of local products and providing attendees with an opportunity to explore and appreciate the richness of the area’s offerings.
ABOUT THE AWARDS –
The aim of the 2025 Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards is to showcase, celebrate and support our local businesses in all that they have achieved, and contribute to our city. Take it a step further by nominating others that you believe are worthy of recognition and reward.
The Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards provides an excellent opportunity for self-assessment, promotion, marketing and networking. Through the process, applicants gain a fresh insight into their operations and are better able to judge their potential for growth and development. In completing their applications, owners and operators can take the time to step back from and assess their operations in a manner usually reserved for the time when problems arise.
In addition, finalists and winners will receive extensive brand awareness, promotion and gain invaluable advice from industry professionals. These businesses can display their certificates and trophies for all existing and potential clients to see and use this recognition as part of future advertising campaigns.
The Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Award Gala Dinner is one of the most eagerly anticipated business events on the Ballarat business calendar. Held in August each year, as part of B31 August Business Festival, the Gala Dinner is the culmination of months of excitement and expectation during which businesses have gone through the nomination, application and judging process.

TMV Industry Excursions - Botanical Gardens & new Information Centre!
2025-03-24 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
Join the TMV and City of Ballarat Visitor Servicing Team for an upcoming Industry Excusion.
Front-of-house staff across the hospitality, accommodation and attractions sectors interact with visitors on a daily basis. But do your staff 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.
Meeting at the beautiful Ballarat Botanical Gardens after the TMV Attractions Roundtable you’ll get a first-hand experience with the curator and view the City of Ballarat’s new information centre.

Contact Email: hello@visitballarat.com.au
Contact Phone: 0417321328

Marketing Roadmap with The Concept Distillery
2025-03-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Date: Monday March 24
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Commerce Ballarat
Tickets: $25 for Commerce Ballarat, $35 for Non-members
Join Emma Duzhnikova of The Concept Distillery to map out your year’s marketing efforts and determine the best channels to communicate them.
Get the most out of your marketing investments by understanding the impact your plan has with your audience.

Barkly Square Open Day 2025
2025-03-29 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free entry
The Barkly Square Open Day will be held on Sat 29th March from 10am – 2pm showcasing Barkly Square Community Hub’s services and programs.
Activations will include art and food workshops, games, live music and roving theatre performers.
Voice FM will hold a sausage sizzle, the Barkly Square café will be open plus we’ll have the Coffee Will Travel coffee van in our courtyard.
We’re inviting the local community, of all ages, to come along and discover Barkly Square as well as offering an opportunity for visitors to chat face-to-face with the Barkly Square community and visit their community spaces.
There is also an opportunity to find out about volunteering opportunities.
Stalls & Activities include …

Tours of Barkly Square
Interactive workshops
Free Kids Games & Activities
Engineering Technique Displays in the BGT Skills Centre
Gardening & Art Workshops
Garden Sculpture Sales
Op Shopping
Hair & Pampering Sessions at the Barkly Hair Institute
Volunteering Opportunities
Live Music in the Barkly Square Community Hall
Roving Theatre Performances
Food Tips & Tastings in the Barkly Square Community Kitchen
Food and beverages available to purchase.

Barkly Square Open Day: Sat 29th March from 10am – 2pm.
Entry is free. All ages are welcome

TMV Industry Excursions - The Goods Shed Precinct
2025-04-08 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
Join the TMV and City of Ballarat Visitor Servicing Team for 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.
Explore the events precinct at the Goods Shed and test out new venues – Itinerant Spirits & Nolans.
Contact Phone: 0417321328
Contact Email: hello@visitballarat.com.au

Commerce Ballarat AGM
2025-04-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
This a reminder of the official notice of the Annual General Meeting of Commerce Ballarat for 2025.
Nominations for positions have now closed. Proxy voting forms and candidate information will be distributed next week.

Commerce Ballarat in partnership with AI Group present CEO Innes Willox
2025-04-16 12:00 - 14:30 | North Ballarat Sports Club, 725 Creswick Road, Wendouree, Victoria, 3350, Australia
We are incredibly privileged to partner with the Australian Industry Group and connect the businesspeople of our region with Ai Group CEO Innes Willox. Innes has experience behind him that includes elevated positions with the Australian Government, and working bilaterally with Germany to create a global standard for developing industry.
Both Ai Group and Innes Willox are impassioned advocates for Australian business. This is an opportunity to meet a key industry leader in person, and absorb his knowledge over a meal.

Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-05-01 08:00 - 17:00
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.
Contact phone: 0461 536 931
Contact email: enquiries@fairgroundwellbeing.com.au

GWMT Industry Forum - 2025 and Beyond: Shaping the Future of Tourism
2025-05-02 08:00 - 17:00
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.
Contact: hello@grampiansgrapeescape.com.au

Getting paid on time
2025-05-05 08:00 - 17:00
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.

Contact email: nick.edrington@vsbc.vic.gov.au
Contact phone: 0459 542 115

Sales Surge
2025-05-05 17:30 - 19:00 | 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.

May Biznet Breakfast
2025-05-06 07:00 - 09:00 | Selkirk Stadium, 989 Norman Street, Wendouree, Victoria, 3355, Australia
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 bi

Tour of New Ballarat Showgrounds
2025-05-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Ballarat Showgrounds, 6 Rose Hill Road, Mount Rowan, Victoria, 3352, Australia
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.

TMV Industry Excursions - Cyril Callister Museum & Beaufort Visitor Centre
2025-05-12 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: Free
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!
Contact phone: 0417321328
Contact email: hello@visitballarat.com.au

StartSpace Flip The Pitch: The Startup Ecosystem Presents to You
2025-05-13 08:00 - 17:00
Cost: $36.00 in-person $15.00 Online
Take a seat and discover the best startup resources in Victoria in one go!
Join us for a fast-paced, high-energy evening where 20 leaders from Victoria’s startup ecosystem will each deliver a 3-minute pitch on how they support aspiring and early-stage founders.
You’ll hear directly from funders, accelerators, meetup organisers, supporting services, government and other key players who are here to help founders succeed.
Whether you’re a founder, new to Victoria, a supporter of the ecosystem, or simply startup-curious, this event is for you. Click through to the website to see the featured speakers.
Event details
Date: Tuesday 13 May
Time: 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue – In-person: Conversation Quarter, State Library Victoria
Venue – Online: Livestream broadcast
Contact phone: 0492948023
Contact email: startspace@slv.vic.gov.au

Nabenet Regional Lunch Series
2025-05-21 08:00 - 17:00
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.
Contact Number: 0430820978
Contact Email: vanessacariss@nabenet.com.au

Business Day Out 2025
2025-05-21 11:30 - 17:00 | Ballarat Goods Shed, 200 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, 3350, Australia
ssBusiness 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.

June Biznet Breakfast
2025-06-03 07:00 - 09:00 | Sovereign Hill, Bradshaw St, Golden Point, Victoria, 3350, Australia
cIt’s a party! Join us as we celebrate the 40th birthday of two Ballarat family businesses- the Ballarat Wildlife Park and Springhill Farm. Sarah Myers will chat with CEO, Fiona (Springhill Farm) and General Manager, Jared (Ballarat Wildlife Park) and reflect on the journey of these Ballarat names and what the next forty years might look like.

Ballarat Bioenergy Forum
2025-06-04 08:00 - 17:00
Join us for a day about building the Bioenergy Industry in Victoria and how it can help regional economies to thrive.
The Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio MP Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Energy and Resources, Minister for the State Electricity Commission will be opening the forum. We have a list of speakers from bioenergy policy experts, bioenergy project developers and operators as well as academia, Ballarat City Council and the Committee for Ballarat.
