Commerce Ballarat

May Biznet Breakfast
2026-05-05 07:00 - 08:45 (Australia/Melbourne)
Social Cohesion: What Role Do We Play? Featuring Farid Abdul Hamid, presented by Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council
It’s been a confronting few months. Locally, we’ve seen incidents that have shaken members of our community. Nationally, the Bondi Beach terror attack in December reminded us how quickly trust between communities can be threatened. And globally, events continue to put pressure on the ties that hold diverse societies together.
But social cohesion isn’t just something that happens to us. It’s something we build, maintain, fracture, and repair. And all of us have a role in that.
At this BizNet breakfast, we’re delighted to welcome Farid Abdul Hamid from the Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council, who attended the inaugural Australian Social Cohesion Summit in Melbourne last October, a landmark national gathering of over 350 leaders from community, research, government and industry. Farid will share insights from the latest research and spark a conversation about what social cohesion looks like right here in Ballarat.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and leave with something practical you can act on.

Return to Work - Early Intervention: Why the first 0-10 days matter
2026-05-05 12:00 - 13:30 | Ballarat Golf Club, 1800 Sturt Street, Alfredton, VIC, Australia
Tuesday May 5th BALLARAT Golf Club
Early Intervention: Why the First 0–10 Days Matter
Key Topics:
• Early Contact & Proactive Planning: Understanding how early engagement can speed up Return-to-Work (RTW) outcomes.
• Best Practice Checklists & RTW Toolkits: Practical, proven resources to guide supervisors and RTW coordinators from point of injury through claim submission and acceptance, driving successful RTW outcomes.
• Case Studies: Real-life examples of successful early intervention in RTW processes.
• Building RTW Plans: Step-by-step guidance on creating effective RTW plans, including sourcing suitable duties. We will also share a GOLD Standard RTW Plan to ensure best practice.
• Interpreting Certificates of Capacity (COCs): Learn how to engage with treaters for positive outcomes and obtain the necessary information to reduce barriers and ensure smoother RTW processes.
• Leadership Skills in Injury Management: Key leadership qualities for effectively managing RTW, and tools for managers to foster trust, engagement, and confidence.
• Nabenet’s Supervisor Training: Insights from Nabenet’s training program, with evidence that early engagement reduces time away from work.
Takeaways:
Participants will walk away with practical tools they can implement in their workplace to enhance RTW outcomes and streamline the process.

Ballarat BetterBeef Group Open Day - Pasture walk and BBQ
2026-05-06 09:30 - 13:30
The Ballarat BetterBeef Group is hosting a pasture walk next month, and you’re invited!
Join the Ballarat BetterBeef Group, Lisa Warn (Lisa Warn Ag Consulting), and Neil James (Agriculture Victoria) for an on-farm pasture walk. This session will cover practical pasture and weed management, how to interpret soil test results, and pasture recovery strategies, including soil testing and fertiliser requirements.
Not a BetterBeef member? No worries! Come along to find out more.
– Wednesday 6 May, 9:30 am to 1:30 pm, followed by a barbecue lunch
– Mt Mercer and Mt Wallace (farm addresses provided on registration).
– Free – all welcome
More information contact Neil James, Livestock and Land Management Extension Officer, Ag Vic, 0417 353 929 neil.james@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Lunch and Learn - NBN Connects with Microsoft
2026-05-12 08:30 - 11:00
For business owners, AI presents a valuable opportunity to boost productivity and streamline operations, but with so many platforms plugging AI capability, it’s hard to know where to start.
With 94% of SMB’s in Australia already using Microsoft Office 365, now is the time to discover the built-in tools that can enhance productivity and efficiency, and most importantly, give you your time back.
We are pleased to invite you to attend the nbn® connects with Microsoft event. As part of a national series, certified Microsoft Technology partners will guide you on Microsoft 365 Copilot and give you exclusive access to numerous tips and advice on enhancing productivity and efficiency in your business.
Copilot can assist various departments within an organization:

Finance: Creating detailed financial reports, tracking expenses, and budget planning.
Marketing: Drafting compelling marketing content and analysing customer feedback.
Sales: Generating sales reports and managing customer relationships.
Human Resources: Writing employee handbooks and managing recruitment processes.
Operations: Scheduling meetings, setting reminders, and organizing workflows

By automating routine tasks, you can free up time for strategic activities, enhancing your efficiency and giving you a competitive edge.
This 90-minute event is designed for the business owner and a staff member to attend together to learn and upskill on how this exciting new technology is already saving businesses time across the world.
After the event, you will be offered a customised copilot learning course.
By the end of this session, you will be equipped with practical skills and strategies to make Copilot a valuable partner in your everyday work, no matter your role or experience level.
Please note this session and ticket cost includes catering.
This event will be available to stream for VRCA members.

The Game: Team Building
2026-05-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Commerce Ballarat, 119 Lydiard Street North, Ballarat Central, Victoria, 3350, Australia
An immersive, game-based experience that uses sport to explore what it really means to create a safe and inclusive workplace.
Using real-life scenarios, participants experience the barriers faced by LGBTQIA+ people firsthand, moving beyond theory to a genuine emotional understanding of exclusion. The session ends with a facilitated debrief to turn those insights into concrete action for your organisation.

Suitable for all fitness and ability levels. Wear comfortable clothing and active footwear, and bring a smartphone or tablet for interactive QR codes.
Delivered by Proud2Play

June Biznet Breakfast
2026-06-02 07:00 - 08:45
Save the date! More details to come soon…

Business Success Seminar
2026-06-02 10:00 - 13:00
Business Essentials – Small business planning with a focus on managing in volatile environments and effective taxation strategies.
The workshop will provide practical and sustainable approaches for use in a dynamic environment.
The workshop will be delivered by Federation University academics:-

Dr Christine Peacock – Senior Lecturer, Law
Dr Helen Song-Turner – Senior Lecturer, Marketing

Practical Workplace Training: Investigations, Psychosocial Risk & Compliance
2026-06-16 10:00 - 14:30 | Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt St, Ballarat, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join HR Legal Partner, Dan Feldman and Yarra Risk Management Director, Terry Solier, for an informative in-person session.
This practical in-person workshop is designed to help employers navigate two of the most complex and high-risk areas of workplace compliance: workplace investigations and psychosocial risk.
Participants will gain practical guidance on managing investigations, understanding psychosocial safety obligations, and reducing legal, regulatory, and WorkCover risk in real workplace scenarios.
FREE! Morning Tea Included

July Biznet Breakfast
2026-07-07 07:00 - 08:45

August Biznet Breakfast
2026-08-04 07:00 - 08:45

Small Business Road Show as part of B31 Ballarat Business Festival
2026-08-18 09:00 - 13:00

September Biznet Breakfast
2026-09-01 07:00 - 08:45

October Biznet Breakfast
2026-10-06 07:00 - 08:45

December Biznet Breakfast
2026-12-01 07:00 - 08:45
