General News
23 August, 2022
Cobden consultant project to continue
COMMUNITY Bank Cobden and Camperdown donated $10,000 for the continuation of the Cobden Business and Economic Development Consultant () Project.
COMMUNITY Bank Cobden and Camperdown donated $10,000 for the continuation of the Cobden Business and Economic Development Consultant (CBEDC) Project.
The project officially begun in July 2021 with consultant Laura Hultgren engaged to fulfil the role within the Cobden community working with businesses.
Since her employment the wider Cobden and district community has had access to free professional guidance and advice in growing and expanding their business as well as opportunities to support the economic activity of the district.
Last week the Cobden Business Network (CBN) held a networking dinner with a focus on wellbeing.
At the dinner, the Community Bank Cobden and Camperdown presented CBN with a $10,000 cheque towards the CBEDC project.
Over the last 12 months, the CBN has made busy working to benefit the community on a variety of projects including securing a Business Chambers and Trader Groups Victorian Government grant (round 2) which enabled Miss Hultgren to run five in person ‘Success Series’ workshops with follow-up one-on-one mentoring and coaching sessions conducted between February and May 2022.
The CBN also participated in the Victorian Government Mental Wellbeing of Business Communities Grant Program, with funding going towards networking events and activities with a wellbeing focus.
The group has held multiple networking events and business tours throughout the year which has created connections over shared goals and challenges.
Miss Hultgren said perhaps two of her biggest achievements from a broader town perspective were the co-ordination of two mini street festivals.
The first mini street festival was ‘The Cobden Cow Hunt and Op Shop sales day’ which involved a cow codeword hunt and included shops, market stall holders and organisations in the treasure hunt.
The second event was ‘Cobden’s Super Saturday’ which included super sales and superhero-themed activities for the kids.
Both events drew hundreds of people from Cobden and across the region.
Miss Hultgren said she has been able to help with a variety of challenges facing businesses and organisations through free coaching, advice and hands on help.
She said she is currently also helping several people explore the idea of starting their own business.
In partnership with Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism and Corangamite Shire Council, a number of businesses were included in the ‘52 Great Weekends’ campaign, which promoted Cobden and inland communities on social media.
Marketing campaigns have also been running throughout the year to promote visitors travelling to the region and purchasing from our local tourism and hospitality businesses.
Miss Hultgren thanked those who have donated to the project to date.
“At times it might seem like Cobden is making slow progress but please bear with us,” she said.
“We have been through a research phase to ensure we capture community feedback and make the right decisions for Cobden as we work through plans for Cobden’s future.
“Cobden is in a period of transition. With some businesses closing, this creates opportunities for new businesses to open.
“I would like to remind you to please continue to shop locally. This helps keep small businesses and local families in Cobden.”
CBN chair Mark Roberts thanked Kelvin White for his unwavering commitment to getting the project off the ground.
“Kelvin has been instrumental in driving the Business and Economic Development project from the beginning and helping Laura settle into her role when she arrived,”he said.
“Kelvin has also put in a lot of time and effort into running CBN initiatives and meetings over the years”.