By RUSSELL BENNETT
EMERALD Business Group held its first breakfast of the year at the Emerald RSL first thing Friday morning, with an array of locals from the small business scene turning out to learn from, and network with their peers.
John Wall from Emersleigh Estate Winery spoke about the latest happenings of the Casey Cardinia Business Group, while Lynne Trensky – chair of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association (EDRA) – spoke on the community-based not-for-profit organisation whose mission it is to support any and all local businesses and community groups through promoting the goods and services, and attributes of the region.
Marlene Dalziel from Monash Health – which covers the Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia areas – spoke about the organisation stepping up to the plate, so to speak, with the 10,000 steps program that was run through Cardinia Shire Council last year.
Josh DeBattista from the Cockatoo-based ‘Loans Mortgages Finance’ also presented to the group as part of its Member Profiles series.
He has been a mortgage and finance broker for over 10 years. He deals in both home and commercial lending, as well as small business finance and equipment and car finance.
David Peck from ‘The Motorist’ Vintage Motoring Museum in Gembrook, meanwhile, moved to dispel rumours the business no longer operates. In fact, it’s going as strong as ever – next to renowned restaurant, The Independent, and just across the road from the town’s Puffing Billy station. For him, it’s not really about making money, but sharing his knowledge of vintage and classic cars.
Merrin Hamilton from Ranges Integrative Health (formerly Emerald Integrative Health) spoke about the practice’s relocation from Emerald to Selby, on a site featuring six practice rooms and with plenty of available car parking.
One of the Emerald community’s great characters, David Greenaway, previewed the upcoming PAVE (Performing And Visual arts Emerald) Festival and spoke about his love of the town, even though he’s from Menzies Creek.
Finally, the guest speaker for the breakfast was a skills adviser from the Industry Skills Fund (ISF), Travis Keating from the Federal Government-funded Navitas Limited.
The $664m ISF assists industry in investing in training and support services, and to develop innovative training solutions. Travis is one of 88 skills advisers around the country helping local businesses access through the process. For more information, visit www.business.gov.au and follow the links.
The Emerald Business Group’s next three breakfasts will be on 6 May, 12 August and 28 October.
