General News
22 November, 2021
Business groups unite
GREATER Ararat Business Network has joined with other chambers across Victoria to establish a new group representing regional businesses.
GREATER Ararat Business Network has joined with other chambers across Victoria to establish a new group representing regional businesses.
The Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance, which includes 20 business groups from across regional Victoria, was launched in Ballarat last week by the Member for Western Victoria and Minister for Business, Employment, Innovation, Medical Research and the Digital Economy, Jaala Pulford.
The new body hopes to be recognised as the collective voice for regional chambers of commerce and business associations.
Greater Ararat Business Network President, Maria Whitford, said the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance includes some big players from regional cities like Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura, Wodonga and Bendigo.
“You’ve got to remember, some of these are big chambers with paid staff with resources and they talk to government all the time and we’re just a volunteer group that will embrace being part of a bigger voice. It’s a great thing for the Greater Ararat Business Network,” Ms Whitford said.
“When the alliance has gone in to bat to government it comes from 20 signatures, it doesn’t just come from one, so all of a sudden there’s a bigger group with lots more members telling the story,” she said.
“It’s not just about lobbying to government, there are a lot of ideas – how do you do this, how do you do that. We just met with Horsham the other day and we’re going to have a meeting and maybe do a grant together. The alliance creates different relationships along the way and sharing ideas,” Ms Whitford said.
Other members of the Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance includes Colac Chamber of Commerce, Business 4 Beaufort and Hamilton Regional Business Association.