Media Releases

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is inviting businesswomen in the Lowan electorate to enter the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards.
“Here in western Victoria we have impressive businesswomen and the Telstra Business Women’s Awards is a wonderful way of recognising their achievements and contributions to our communities,” Mr Delahunty said.
“In the 18 years the Telstra Business Women’s Awards have been running thousands of women from a diverse range of professions and walks of life have been recognised through the awards and gone on to be mentors to others in the attainment of their life goals,” Mr Delahunty said.
“The Telstra Business Women’s Awards are an opportunity to reward inspirational business women throughout western Victoria who have had a positive impact on the local community,” Mr Delahunty said.
Finalist and winners will be recognised for their achievements and share in more than $200,000 in cash and prizes.
The three categories in the 2012 Telstra Business Women’s Awards are:
Commonwealth Bank Business Owner Award
Hudson Private and Corporate Sector Award; and
White Pages Community and Government Award.
There are also two specialist categories: Nokia Business Innovation Award and marie Claire Young Business Women’s Award.
To nominate or enter complete the form available at www.womensawards.com or pick up a nomination form from Mr Delahunty’s offices at 114 Firebrace Street, Horsham telephone 5382 0097 or 44 Gray Street, Hamilton telephone 5571 9800
The Telstra Victorian Business Women’s Awards Gala will be held on 20 September 2012.

Member for Lowan, Minister Hugh Delahunty will join western Victoria councils and businesses in promoting the region to Melburnians at this weekend’s Regional Victoria Living Expo at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

Minister Delahunty said all western Victorian councils and a host of businesses would showcase what the region had to offer at the 27-29 April Expo, which is expected to attract up to 10,000 people.

“For anyone considering a move, Western Victoria has everything you need,” Minister Delahunty said.

“The region, which boasts 25 per cent of Victoria’s wetlands, offers a relaxed, country lifestyle and is renowned for its national parks, spectacular wilderness, historic wineries and country hospitality.

“It also offers an attractive range of lifestyle choices from urban inner city living to peaceful rural blocks or affordable homes in smaller communities.

“Cultural events, impressive art galleries and an abundance of year-round sporting activities contribute to a relaxed, country lifestyle.

“As far as job opportunities go, western Victoria is Australia’s best performing grain-growing area, producing 70 per cent of Victoria’s grain, and is home to a vibrant manufacturing sector.

“Other employment areas include education and training, manufacturing, health and professional services, retail, hospitality, tourism and transport.

 “I congratulate all the western Victoria organisations participating in the 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo and I’m sure they will do our fantastic region proud.”

Minister Delahunty said the free Expo would bring together all Victoria’s rural and regional councils as well as exhibitors under one roof at MCEC, making it easy to explore everything regional Victoria had to offer.

“The Expo will give Melbourne residents and businesses all the information they need when considering relocating to regional and rural Victoria, including promotion of education, housing and career opportunities,” Minister Delahunty said.

“It will provide all 48 regional and rural councils with an opportunity to promote the benefits and opportunities available in their areas so they can attract residents, skilled workers, business and investment.

“It will also showcase career, education and business opportunities and housing and lifestyle benefits.

“Expo visitors will discover that Victoria’s regional and rural areas provide huge advantages in livability, jobs, education and business viability that are at least the equal of those on offer in Melbourne.”

For more information visit rdv.vic.gov.au/expo

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said small business information, support
and mentoring will be coming to the streets of Hamilton, when the Victorian Government’s
Mobile Business Centre returns to town soon.
“The Mobile Business Centre will be located outside Darriwill Farm, 169 Gray Street Hamilton
on Tuesday 1 May from 10.00am to 4.00pm,” Mr Delahunty said.
Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said the Mobile Business Centre will give small businesses
in Hamilton access to valuable information about programs and services, including the latest
schedule of business skills workshops.
Minister for Innovation, Services, and Small Business Louise Asher said the Mobile Business
Centre will again be delivering free business mentoring and face-to-face assistance to
Victorian small businesses.
“The Mobile Business Centre is designed to help people start, plan and grow their business.
Small business operators can access business tools and tips and the on-board mentoring
service provides a fresh pair of eyes to look at a business objectively.
“Last year the Mobile Business Centre visited over 70 locations across Victoria and provided
more than 750 mentoring sessions to small businesses”, Ms Asher said.
“Small business operators are often too busy to seek information or guidance. By having the
Mobile Business Centre in Hamilton, they won’t have to travel far to access business mentors,”
Mr Delahunty said.
Other Mobile Business Centre locations and information on how to book a mentoring session
can be found at business.vic.gov.au/mbc or by calling Small Business Victoria on 13 22 15.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty announced today small businesses
in the Horsham area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information
on greening their businesses or on financial management thanks to forthcoming
seminars.
“The Green Your Business, Grow Your Business seminar would be held at Horsham
Business Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 1 May and the Understanding Financial
Statements seminar would be held at Wimmera Business Centre at 6pm on Thursday
3 May,” Mr Delahunty said.
“This is a great opportunity for Horsham businesses to obtain professional business
advice to assist them,” Mr Delahunty said.
Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small
Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars. Through the program, businesses and
prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make
informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.
Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing
people and marketing.
All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who
are well-qualified and experienced in small business.
Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition
Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the
economy of the state.
“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to
creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create
employment,” Ms Asher said.
For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go
to: www.business.vic.gov.au/workshops

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said small businesses in the Horsham area will be able to access relevant, reliable and affordable information on organising your business thanks to a forthcoming seminar.

“The Get Your Business Organised seminar will be held at the Wimmera Business Centre at 6pm on Tuesday 17 April,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This is a great opportunity for Horsham businesses to obtain expert professional business advice at a convenient location and for a low cost.”

Last year more than 3,000 businesses throughout the state participated in Small Business Victoria’s workshops and seminars.  Through the program, businesses and prospective business owners are provided with the facts and advice needed to make informed decisions and create a platform for ongoing success.

Popular topics in the program include starting up, financial management, employing people and marketing.

All workshops and seminars are delivered by private sector business specialists who are well-qualified and experienced in small business.

Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

Mr Delahunty said the Coalition Government recognised the vital role Victoria’s 495,000 small businesses played in the economy of the state.

“We are committed to encouraging small business and individual initiative, and to creating an environment that rewards those who work hard, save, invest and create employment,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information about other workshops and seminars that are available please go to: www.business.vic.gov.au/businessevents

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is encouraging residents of the Lowan electorate that the 2012 Telstra Business Award nominations close on 2nd April, 2012.
“I encourage residents to publicly recognise outstanding local businesses by nominating them for the 2012 Telstra Business Awards,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Some of the most innovative and successful businesses in Victoria can be found right here in western Victoria”, Mr Delahunty said.

Mr Delahunty said 2012 is another milestone year for the Telstra Business Awards as they now include the new “HTC Start-Up Award” for small to medium businesses which have been operating between one and three years.

“The Telstra Business Awards provide a great opportunity for small and medium local businesses to gain recognition on a national stage for all the hard – and excellent – work they do in and around the community.”

Awards are offered in the following categories:
• HTC Start Up Award – for businesses that have been operating for between one and three years and have up to 200 employees
• News Ltd Micro-Business Award (businesses with up to 5 employees)
• MYOB Small Business Award (businesses with 5 to 20 employees)
• Commonwealth Bank Medium Business Award (businesses with 20 to 200 employees)
• Telestra Regional Business Award (for businesses located outside metropolitan Melbourne)
Mr Delahunty said this is the 20th year Telstra has run the awards recognising excellence in small and medium business both nationally and in every state and entrants would complete for a total prize pool of $500,000 in cash and prizes.
To Nominate visit www.telstrabusinessawards.com or phone 1800 262 323.
Nominations close on 2nd April 2012.

The Nationals member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty said this week a Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will establish a $6 million Regional Community Leadership Fund to provide funding over four years to secure and reinvigorate Community Leadership Programs across regional and rural Victoria.

“Strengthening Victoria’s regional network of Community Leadership Programs will drive future prosperity, growth and confidence in rural and regional Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

The $6 million strategic initiative, delivered through the Coalition’s $1 billion Regional Growth Fund, will support community leadership and create opportunity across regional and rural Victoria.

“Community Leadership Programs are invaluable to the resilience of Victorian communities because they educate and empower current and emerging leaders to proactively respond to local issues,” Mr Delahunty said.

“I am very aware of the benefits the participants gain and the positive flow on effects to the community.  The Leadership Wimmera and Leadership Ballarat and Western Region will be programs benefiting from the fund and provide an excellent environment in which to meet and learn from existing and emerging leaders and the opportunity to explore the major issues confronting western Victoria,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Tomorrow night I will be attending the Leadership Wimmera Graduation Dinner and look forward to congratulating the future leaders on the positive steps they have taken.”

“The graduates learn so much about our community, the challenges we face and the opportunities for growth.

“The Labor Government has under funded Regional Community Leadership Programs for years and many are now struggling.

“This funding is a significant boost which will give leadership programs a secure, genuine funding stream over four years which will allow them to plan and grow.

“Only a Coalition Government is committed to securing Community Leadership Programs into the future so that regional and rural Victoria can continue to contribute to Victoria’s fortunes,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty has welcomed with the announcement of an annual Country Week to showcase life in western Victoria.  The Country Week would be staged in Melbourne under a Coalition State Government.

“A Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will bring the country to the city every year to showcase country Victoria’s business, lifestyle, recreation and cultural pursuits at Country Week,” Mr Delahunty said.

“This event will go a long way towards removing any apprehensions city folk may have about a possible move to regional Victoria.

“Regional tourism, local government, business and cultural groups will all feature at the Country Week Expo.  The week-long event would have specialist exhibitions on issues such as employment, housing, education, transport, investment, the arts and other opportunities.

Mr Delahunty said these matters are of great importance to people who are genuinely considering relocating to regional Victoria.

The plan would see $500,000 a year invested in Country Week for four years, and would be held at a different time of the year to the agricultural-based Royal Melbourne Show.

“I would encourage businesses from western Victoria to participate in the $2 million Coalition Country Week plan to show potential new residents to the region they can offer which will be of great assistance when people are making their decision.”

 “Country Week Expo will provide a platform for businesses from rural and regional Victoria to sell the benefits of country life to people and businesses in Melbourne,” Mr Delahunty said.

The Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is calling on businesses across western Victoria to register their interest in supporting the new Carer Card.

“The Carer Card has been created in part to recognise the invaluable contribution of carers, by providing a discounts and benefits card for unpaid primary carers in Victoria, which are numerous,” Mr Delahunty said.

To be eligible for the card you must be a resident of Victoria, a primary, unpaid carer of a person with a disability, a severe medical condition, or a mental illness or who is frail, aged or who is in need of palliative care.  This care must be provided in the home of the person requiring care.

“It is important that our carers are acknowledged for their hard work and tireless efforts, and one hopes that the Carer Card will be of some benefit to many in western Victoria.”

“While the introduction of the Carers Card may be of some minor assistance to western Victorian carers, the Brumby Government must do more to invest in disability services across the region.

“There are many issues that need to be addressed to assist carers, including more services which provide support to these important people in our community,” Mr Delahunty said.

“A significant issue which the Government has skirted around is the need for more Supported Accommodation and improved respite services. The Carer Card is being pitched as the one assistance that all carers need, when in reality, what a lot of carers need is a break now and then.

These are some of the businesses already registered for the program at this stage in the Lowan electorate are Diggers ChemDry, O’Brien Lawyers and Red Rooster in Horsham, the UFS Dispensary Willaura Depot, and the Dimboola Riverside Caravan Park.

“To show that you care I am urging all western Victorian businesses to get on board the program and register their support for the card by accessing the Carer Card website,” Mr Delahunty said.

“Most carers suffer isolation from many of the social activities that the rest of the community have access to and this new Carer Card, and the offers that go with it, go a small way towards recognising the tireless efforts of these carers,” Mr Delahunty said.

For more information on Carer Card eligibility, visit www.carercard.vic.gov.au, or call 1800 901 958. For further information about registering your business, call Rebecca Zehnwirth on (03)9096 6924.

Nationals Member for Lowan Hugh Delahunty is encouraging export businesses to apply for the Governor of Victoria Export Awards for recognition in the local and international marketplace.

“It is important for exporters in the Lowan electorate, big or small, new or experienced to apply for the awards,” Mr Delahunty said.

“As an award winner there are a number of benefits to local businesses such as a raise in profile, increase in credibility, access to resources and new and emerging markets, an enhancement in business relationships, and an increase in company and staff morale.

“There are a total of 12 Award categories, including titles such as Agribusiness Award, Education and Training Award, Small Business Award and Regional Exporter Award.

“Regional businesses should feel comfortable that they are in the running for these awards, even though they may feel they aren’t in the same league size-wise as metropolitan businesses.

“Western Victoria has a number of businesses which export and I highly recommend that all of them to consider putting in an application,” Mr Delahunty said.

Businesses can apply online at www.exportawards.gov.au and entries close 9 July, 2010.  Further information can be given from Mr Delahunty’s offices on 5382 0097 or 5571 9800.