Ballarat's Workplace Hero Lunch - Presented by Ballarat Business Women's Network
2025-08-19 08:00 - 17:00 (Australia/Melbourne)
🌟 Ballarat’s Workplace Heroes Lunch 🌟
Hosted by Ballarat Courier 40 Under 40 Leaders, Bec Ware & Justin Thompson.
In partnership with Ballarat Business Women & Mr Perfect.

📅 Tuesday 19th August | 🕧 12:30–2:30PM | 📍 Hydrant Bar & Café | 🎟 $40.00
Let’s celebrate the everyday legends going above and beyond in our workplaces! Join us for an inspiring lunch that recognises Ballarat’s unsung heroes – those team members who make a difference without expecting a spotlight.

🎤 Special Guest: Carolynne Smith, CEO of Healio Care
Be inspired as Carolynne shares her leadership journey and how she empowers her team to thrive through trust, purpose, and heart-led action.
This feel-good event is more than just a lunch. It’s:
✨ A celebration of local champions
✨ A showcase of Hydrant Bar’s vibrant new chapter
✨ A chance to connect with two purpose-driven networks:
💼 Ballarat Business Women – empowering local women both professionally and personally
🔥 Mr Perfect – connecting men through honest conversations & BBQs

Bring your workplace hero, connect with like-minded leaders, and walk away full – heart, belly and soul.

Creating Financial Freedom in Your Business - Presented by Progress Accounting
2025-08-20 12:00 - 13:00
An interactive seminar covering the topic of “Creating Financial Freedom in Your Business”. This will cover practical ways business owners can make changes to improve the financial position of their business, including practical tips to improve their cash conversion cycle (timing from ordering stock/materials to collecting the cash).
Light lunch is provided.

#BallBEA Gala Night
2025-08-21 18:00 - 23:00 | Mercure Ballarat, 613 Main Road, Golden Point, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join us for a night of glitz and glamour to celebrate the Ballarat business community in style!

The countdown is on for Ballarat’s biggest business party of the year, where the winners of the Federation University Commerce Ballarat Business Excellence Awards will be announced!

This isn’t another boring business dinner, it’s the ultimate networking opportunity and a night of unforgettable fun.

Slip into your best attire, grab your partners, friends, and colleagues, and prepare for a fantastic evening full of dancing, mingling, and celebrating our incredible local business community.

Ticket price includes: all-inclusive drinks and food during the Gala Dinner, entertainment and access to the onsite afterparty.

Why not bring the team and book a table of 10!

Tender Together: Winning Local Work as a Business Community
2025-08-26 09:00 - 11:00
Many businesses miss out on tenders, not because they can’t do the work, but because they’re unsure where to start. Whether it’s cleaning contracts, road works, admin support, or joint ventures, these jobs are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors.
At this session, you’ll hear from procurement insiders, successful suppliers, and support experts about what really matters in a winning bid. Plus, we’re launching the Tender Toolkit, a new, practical resource packed with checklists, templates, and tools to help you get tender-ready.
If you’ve applied once and given up, or never tried at all, this is your chance to re-enter the game with the right support behind you.
Supported by the City of Ballarat

Committee for Ballarat's Annual Economic Update: Beyond the Budget
2025-08-26 12:30 - 14:00 | The Grand, 203 Dana St, Ballarat Central
Exclusive insights and predictions from Bendigo Bank’s Chief Economist, David Robertson
Step beyond the headlines and into a data-rich economic forecast designed for business decision-makers.
Join Bendigo Bank’s Chief Economist and Head of Economic and Market Research, David Robertson, as he provides expert analysis of the current economic landscape — and what lies ahead. This insightful session will unpack:

The key takeaways from the State and Federal budgets
Global economic trends and how they influence our region
Forecasts for interest rates, inflation, employment and investment
What local businesses should expect — and prepare for — in the year ahead

Whether you’re in business, government or community leadership, this briefing will give you the clarity and context you need to make smarter strategic decisions in 2025 and beyond.
Tickets include a light lunch.

Retail Leasing Essentials - Presented by BJT Legal
2025-08-27 08:00 - 17:00
Presented by Stacey Grose and Tynan Haintz of BJT Legal, this session will guide landlords, tenants, and agents through the essentials of retail leasing. Learn about common pitfalls, key lease terms, negotiation strategies, and recent legislative updates. Whether you’re new to leasing or managing multiple properties, this practical session will give you the knowledge to approach retail leasing with confidence. Includes time for Q&A.

Mental Health First Aid Training
2025-08-27 09:30 - 2025-08-28 16:00
Mental Health First Aid training takes a similar approach to physical First Aid training. This course teaches participants about the different types of mental illness and through the practical action plan they learn the skills to respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem.
Learning outcomes:
-Recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems
-Initiate a first aid conversation
-Assess for a range of crisis situations
-Provide initial support
-Understand mental illness, risk factors, treatments and supports available

Building Better Business
2025-08-27 12:00 - 13:00
Whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, the decisions you make around structure, cash flow, compliance, and risk can have long-lasting consequences — good or bad.
This practical session is designed to highlight the avoidable traps that increase the financial risks to being in business, like risking the family home in the event a business is not ultimately successful. From their experience as insolvency experts at Worrells will draw on real case studies to explore how business structures impacts liability, why financial risk can expose personal and family assets, and what to do when the warning signs start to appear.
This practical session is ideal for business owners, advisors, and anyone looking to strengthen the foundations of a business at any stage of the journey.
The session includes a complimentary light lunch, and a 1 hour CPD Certificate.

Bush Summit
2025-08-29 08:00 - 17:00
The National Bush Summit spans across six regional locations in Australia, including Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and for the first time, Northern Territory. Returning in 2025, regional and rural business owners, community leaders and industry heads are encouraged to register for a series of Bush Summit events in August.
Join us as we address the challenges and find the solutions to improve the lives of all those living in regional Australia.

Industry Tour at Kilderkin Distillery
2025-08-29 15:30 - 16:30
Enjoy an exclusive and informative industry tour of Kilderkin Distillery, including the production area where the globally awarded Larrikin gins and Goldfields Single Malt Whisky are crafted.
Enjoy sample tastings drawn from different stages during production, followed by samples of the final gin, liqueur and whisky products. At the conclusion all participants are welcome to stay and soak up the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Kilderkin Distillery’s bar, housed in a refurbished warehouse. Drinks and light meals available at bar prices.

September Biznet Breakfast
2025-09-02 07:00 - 09:00
Join us this September to hear from a powerhouse marketing panel made up of the brilliant minds behind the Western Bulldogs, Haymes Paint, and Worrells. Facilitated by Commerce Ballarat Board Member Lucy Ibrahim, this will be a sharp-witted morning as the panel dive into their specialised marketing niche.

Danielle Wooley, Head of Marketing & Brand for the Western Bulldogs, the expert in marketing when you don’t have control of the product
Andrew Senyard, Head of Marketing at Haymes Paint, the expert in keeping marketing fresh whilst simultaneously keeping tradition alive with a long-established company
Jordan McPhan, Senior Marketing Manager at Worrells, specialising in relationship-driven marketing strategies

Labour Hire Authority Information Session
2025-09-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Ballarat GovHub, 101 Armstrong St N, Ballarat, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Attend a free information session delivered by the Labour Hire Authority (LHA) to understand your obligations under Victorian labour hire law.
This one-hour session will cover:
• Businesses’ obligations under Victorian labour hire law
• LHA’s current focus of labour hire licensing, compliance and enforcement
• LHA’s tools and resources to support businesses
• Questions and answers

October Biznet Breakfast
2025-10-07 07:00 - 09:00 | Ballarat Turf Club, 72 Midas Road, Miners Rest, Victoria, 3352, Australia
Don’t miss this chance to rub shoulders with some of racing’s biggest names!
Join Ballarat’s own Breakfast with the Stars event, where you’ll enjoy a delightful breakfast while engaging in a lively discussion with high-profile jockeys and trainers about their Spring racing prospects.
Whether flying solo or with friends, secure your spot or book a table for 8 now! This is the perfect way to connect, learn, and enjoy a thrilling morning immersed in the racing world.
✨ Special Guest panel offering exclusive insights and predictions:

🏇 McEvoy Mitchell Racing
🏇 Mitch Freedman
🏇 Rob Hickmott- Melbourne Cup winning trainer
🏇 Johnny Allan– Jockey
🏇 Declan Bates– Jockey

Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance - Catch Up
2025-10-09 17:00 - 2025-10-10 16:00 | Ballarat GovHub, 101 Armstrong St N, Ballarat, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join us for the annual Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance (VRCA) catch up.
Not a member? It’s free to join – Homepage – VRCA

Farmer Resilience and Community Connection Days
2025-10-13 07:30 - 2025-10-14 16:30
Ever wanted to upskill your working dog? Or chat with CFA, SES, or VicPol about how to keep your farm safe?
Join the City of Ballarat for Farmer Resilience and Community Connection Days hosted by the City of Ballarat.
Breakfast from 7:30am, followed by presentations and a Q&A on Farm Safety.
Working Dog School: 12 lucky dog and handler pairs will train with Gary White, internationally renowned for his working dog expertise!
All sessions are FREE!

Drug and Alcohol Testing Course
2025-10-14 09:00 - 15:30 | First Aid Training Group, 3/311 Gilles St N, Wendouree, VIC, 3355, Australia
Want to become a drug and alcohol tester at your workplace? Join us for our nationally accredited HLTPAT005 Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing course!
First Aid Training Group’s Nationally Accredited Drug & Alcohol Screening Officer training course (HLTPAT005 – Collect specimens for drugs of abuse testing) has been developed to address new legislative requirements for drug & alcohol testing. It follows Australian Standards AS/NZS 4308:2008 (Urine Collection), AS/NZ 4760:2019 (Oral fluid collections), and AS 3547:2019 (Breath Alcohol).
– Covers urine, oral and breath testing.
– Nationally accredited course.
– Hands-on practical training.
– On completion, all participants are certified as drug and alcohol testers.
– The course covers the entire chain of custody process.
– We provide all testing kits and resources.

NextGen Collective NextSteps: The Power of High Performing Teams
2025-10-16 12:00 - 14:00
Join us at the Next Gen Collective Professional Development Session as we explore what it takes to build and sustain high-performing teams — from trust and agility to clear goals, accountability, and authentic collaboration. This session will be facilitated by Inspire HQ Director and feature the insights of Business of the Year 2025 Winner LeRoy Hand from The Turret Cafe.
Whether you’re looking to join, strengthen, or lead a high-performing team, this session will equip you with the tools and insights to help teams not just perform — but truly excel. You’ll also gain real-world perspective from a local leader who’s successfully built and led a high-performing team, sharing practical lessons and proven strategies you can apply right away.
Let’s build the future of teamwork — together. Lunch is included!

Guided Date Night
2025-11-09 17:00 - 20:00 | SIP Champagne Bar, 428A Sturt St, Ballarat, VIC, 3350, Australia
Looking for a date night with a difference? Join Kelly and Kim from Fairground Psychology & Wellbeing at SIP Champagne Bar for a special evening created just for couples. Set in an intimate and welcoming space, you’ll enjoy delicious food and drinks while being guided through fun, practical tips and valuable insights — backed by evidence-based research — that are designed to bring you closer together.
Tickets are priced per couple and include a two-course meal and drink on arrival.

Meet the Makers
2025-11-11 14:00 - 16:00
Feel the flavour, Meet the Maker at an Industry-Only Session with Forage & Feast.
On November 11th, the festival program will officially launch. Beforehand, we are offering an exclusive NEW industry-only session to connect chefs, venue owners, and sommeliers with more than 30 of our region’s finest artisan producers.
This trade fair is a one-of-a-kind chance to set the tone for what regional sourcing can look like – authentic, exciting, and commercially powerful. Hosted by acclaimed food writer Richard Cornish, this event offers menu inspiration, strategic networking, and a special preview of brand-new, unreleased, high-end product.

Forage & Feast Launch
2025-11-11 17:00 - 19:30 | Ballarat Goods Shed, 200 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, 3350, Australia
Join us at the Forage & Feast Launch Event November 11th!
This evening event marks the official unveiling of the 2026 Forage & Feast Festival Program—a curated celebration of regional dining, storytelling, and seasonal experiences across the Central Highlands running from Jan 12 – Feb 15. You’ll get a first look at the venues, producers, and events featured in the campaign, alongside a showcase of food and drink from across the region and members of the Central Highlands Growers & Producers Hub. We look forward to welcoming you both to our event and to new discoveries.

Cyber Warden Training
2025-11-13 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
The Cyber Wardens Foundations webinar is an interactive way to learn the cyber security essentials you need to help protect your small business.
This format is designed for small business owners and employees who prefer learning through live engagement with a Cyber Wardens educator.
Cyber Wardens Foundations is a short introduction to cyber security that helps you identify the seven cyber security red flags that pose a risk or threat to your small business.
In this free webinar, you will learn:

The biggest cyber security risks targeting small businesses
Red flags and warning signs your business is at risk
Everyday habits that make you more vulnerable to cyber crime
How to identify cyber security red flags​

Western Bulldogs Women in Business Luncheon
2025-11-14 12:00 - 15:30 | Ballarat Goods Shed, 200 Lydiard Street North, Soldiers Hill, Victoria, 3350, Australia
You Belong Here!
Recognising and Overcoming Self-Doubt
Join us for an empowering event focused on building confidence and embracing your place in every space. Through honest conversation and inspiring stories, we’ll explore how to recognise self-doubt and overcome the barriers it creates.
Our two inspiring speakers — Preet Bains, who led the charge for over a decade at Aesop, one of Australia’s leading luxury brands, and Carol Fox, a Confident Communication Expert and former President of Women Sport Australia—will not only share their personal stories but also equip you with practical strategies and tools to overcome self-doubt and build lasting self-confidence.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, reflect, and grow in a supportive community.
Your experience includes:
• Inspiring one-on-one conversation with Preet Bains
• Interactive workshop led by communications expert Carol Fox
• Welcome canapés followed by a gourmet two-course meal
• Premium beverages served throughout the event
• Professional LinkedIn profile photo opportunity

Starting Your Small Business - Workshop
2025-11-18 17:30 - 20:30
Have a great business idea, but not sure where to start?
Turn your entrepreneurial dream into a reality at this free beginner-level
workshop. Learn how to:
Define your product or service
Plan your launch step-by-step
Choose and register a business name
Pick the right location or platform
Protect your business with insurance
Walk away with practical tools, confidence, and resources to start building the business you’ve been dreaming of.

NextGen? Next Bar
2025-11-19 17:15 - 19:30
To round out a year of learning, hard work, and growth, NextGen Collective is hosting an end-of-year bar crawl! The journey will feature Hop Temple, Aunty Jacks, and Grainery Lane with a free drink at each venue included in your ticket.

Driving Productivity: Kickstarting AI in Business and Industry
2025-11-21 10:00 - 15:00
Regional Development Australia (RDA) Grampians, in partnership with Delos Delta, the National AI Centre, Australian Regional AI Network (ARAIN), and the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) Hub, invite you to an upcoming forum exploring opportunities and practical applications for AI in the region.
Driving Productivity: Kickstarting AI in Business and Industry
Friday 21 November 2025
The Goods Shed, Ballarat
Free event but registration essential
This forum is designed for the AI-curious and offers a hands on opportunity to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming business, and how regional SMEs can safely and effectively harness emerging technologies to drive productivity and growth.
The Forum will connect SMEs with free, specialist one-on-one support to deploy and manage AI systems via the AI Adopt Centres, ARM Hub, and ARAIN so businesses can access tailored guidance, practical tools, and expert advice to support their AI journey.
Led by industry experts, the event will deliver practical insights. Hear from leading voices across industry and academia, including the National AI Centre, ARAIN, and ARM Hub, alongside regional businesses showcasing how they are using AI and automation to innovate and enhance operations.
This is a fantastic opportunity to connect with experts, explore practical AI tools and resources, and discover what’s possible for your business and for the future of our region.
Tickets are free but limited so register now to secure your place.

December Biznet Breakfast 2025
2025-12-02 07:00 - 09:00
Join us this festive season for the final Biznet of the year, and to raise money for those struggling this Christmas with Ballarat Foundation.

Lifeline Ballarat ASIST 2-day Suicide Intervention Workshop
2025-12-02 09:00 - 2026-02-03 17:00
ASIST is a two-day interactive, skill-building workshop that prepares professionals and caregivers (of all kinds) to provide suicide first aid interventions.
Learn to:
• Recognise people who may be having thoughts of suicide
• Ask them about suicide, hear their story and understand their situation
• Help them keep safe and develop an effective personal safe plan
• Connect them to community supports and resources

Gekko Systems Free Public Open Day
2026-02-20 13:30 - 15:30
Join us for the Gekko Systems Ballarat Open Day
Open to the general public and Ballarat community.
Gekko Systems is proud to celebrate three decades of customer-focused solutions that have changed and shaped the future of gold and mineral processing, demonstrated manufacturing excellence, and created a global impact.
Join us for a free Public Open Day at our Ballarat headquarters and manufacturing facility to see our technology in action and hear presentations from our technical specialists and guest speakers.
Born and bred in regional Victoria and now recognised worldwide, our technology, locally manufactured in the historic gold rush town of Ballarat, is used in over 50 countries. It delivers solutions that improve performance, reduce environmental impact, and create long-term value.
Together with our customers, we are shaping a smarter, more sustainable future for mining and organic waste processing.
This free public event is your chance to explore our Ballarat-made mineral processing equipment up close, featuring world-first innovations such as:
OnLine Gold Analyser (OLGA) developed in partnership with CSIRO
Carbon Scout
Low-water-consumption Wolff Concentrator
Gaia EnviroTech’s waste-to-value solutions for organics
Event details:
Date: 20 February 2026
Location: Gekko Systems & Gaia EnviroTech HQ, 321 Learmonth Road, Ballarat (Mitchell Park), VIC 3355
Time: 1:30 to 3:30pm
Cost: Free (RSVP essential)
What is happening on the day:
Live product demonstrations
Insightful guest speakers
Guided site tours
Light refreshments and networking opportunities
And much more!
We look forward to welcoming our community, students, partners, customers, and industry colleagues to celebrate 30 years of Australian solution led innovation and manufacturing, and the future we are building together.
Gekko Systems: 30 years of passionate people and global solutions.

Industry Chat: Food and Fibre (Export, Growers and Producers)
2026-02-25 10:30 - 2026-04-28 12:00
Join us for our upcoming Industry Chat: Food and Fibre (Export, Growers and Producers) featuring Brian Kearns, Manager of the TradeStart network in Victoria.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the Victorian Government, including over two decades in international market development, Brian brings deep expertise in agrifood exports and global trade. Through his role delivering both Victorian Government and Austrade services to regional exporters, he works closely with businesses looking to grow beyond Australia.

Originally trained as a crop agronomist, Brian combines strong agricultural knowledge with qualifications in Agricultural Economics and Professional Accounting, offering both practical and strategic insight.

This is a valuable opportunity to hear from industry experts!

BSides Ballarat 2026
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-01
Cybersecurity is a fascinating and rapidly expanding field with a scope that includes enthusiasts, commercial security, and national security. While many conferences are held in the capital cities, regional areas often miss out. BSides Ballarat aims to build the cybersecurity community in Ballarat, especially in younger age groups. BSides Ballarat will focus on the following cybersecurity topics.
BSides Ballarat is a community-driven, non-profit cybersecurity conference held in Ballarat (by Federation University Australia). It’s designed for a wide audience —from students and newcomers to IT professionals and business owners—so it’s accessible even for people/businesses without deep prior security expertise.
Workshops and technical sessions demonstrate how to implement concrete security measures, including secure network architectures, patching practices, web-app/webserver security, incident response procedures, and secure configurations for IoT and supply-chain dependencies. This empowers business owners/staff to apply good security fundamentals themselves (or with their IT team), rather than just hoping “security will be fine.”
