Disaster inspires business session

Small businesses in Drouin will have access to reliable and affordable information on growing their business when the State Government’s Small Business Workshop comes to town.

The Getting paid in building and construction workshop will be held at the Baw Baw Shire Council’s Drouin office at 6pm on Thursday, August 22.

Last year more than 5400 people across the state took part in Small Business Victoria workshops.

Delivered by experienced business specialists, the free or low-cost workshops give businesses important advice and support on starting a business, financial management and marketing.

They also provide an opportunity for business owners to network with other businesses.

The workshops have already helped thousands of prospective and established business owners get the advice they need to expand their business and grow their profits across Victoria.

Small Business Victoria partners with more than 50 host organisations to deliver the affordable events. Drouin’s workshop will be hosted by the council.

For more information visit business.vic.gov.au or call Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

Paramedics assessed 15 people after a collision involving a mini-bus at Nar Nar Goon on Thursday morning.

The collision between a car and mini-bus occurred on Snell Rd just before 8am.

Of the 15 people assessed at the scene, Ambulance Victoria reported three of those were transported to Dandenong Hospital with minor injuries. All three were in a stable condition.

Ambulance Victoria escalated its emergency response plan for the collision, including sending a health commander to the scene.

Another bus was organised to transport the remaining passengers from the mini-bus to their destination..

A Kinglake farmer devastated by the Black Saturday bushfires will speak at a business recovery workshop at Tynong next week.

Nina Lunde will be one of two guest speakers offering practical advice at the free workshop for residents affected by the Bunyip Complex fires.

The workshop will inspire farmers and small business operators to revitalise their businesses.

Presented by Cardinia Shire Council, it will be held at Gumbuya World, Tynong on Wednesday, August 21 from 7pm to 9pm.

It is an opportunity to hear from guest speakers with experience in business recovery after bushfire, connect with other local business operators, and get access to business recovery resources.

Nina Lunde, who owns Blueberry Hill Farm at Kinglake with her husband Rowan, was left devastated after bushfire destroyed their farming property at Kinglake.

They thought it was the end of their business.

However, with the community’s help, they got their farm cleaned up and this inspired the two to make their business better than ever.

The second guest speaker is small to medium enterprise advisor Daryl Brooke.

He spent two years working with businesses after Black Saturday to coach them through the emergency and out the other side.

Daryl works with businesses to develop and deliver stronger business performance and positive outcomes for their local communities.

To attend, RSVP today (Tuesday) at trybooking.com/BEFNG.

For further information, call 1300 787 624.