Small Business Commissioner to speak at next business breakfast

Victorian Small Business Commissioner Judy O’Connell (pictured) will speak at the next Ararat Rural City Council Business Breakfast on Wednesday September 11.

Ms O’Connell, who was appointed as commissioner in December 2016, advocates to make sure Victorian small businesses have a fair and competitive environment while running their business.

Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said it would be fantastic to hear Ms O’Connell’s thoughts on the current economic environment small businesses are operating in, especially in light of the revitalisation of the region’s business association.

Dr Harrison said another guest speaker at the breakfast would be the new regional business association president, who will be decided at an AGM on Wednesday September 4.

“There will be plenty of time for networking before the guest speakers present and I’m sure our local business operators will have many questions for Ms O’Connell,” he said.

“The Council’s business breakfasts aim to inform, educate and inspire, and we welcome all local business operators to attend for networking and learning. No doubt we’ll all learn a lot from Ms O’Connell.”

Ms O’Connell comes from a family of small business owners – both her father and two sisters operate their own businesses – and she is an accomplished small business engagement leader with a proven track record of achievement across the public sector.

She was named as one of the Top 50 Public Sector Women in Victoria in 2018, and also manages the quick, low cost dispute resolution service for small business as part of her current role.

The business breakfast will be held on Wednesday September 11 from 7am-8.45am at Chalambar Golf Club, 118 Golf Links Road, Ararat.

The breakfast is open to all local business operators and is free of charge. Bookings are essential though – contact Council’s Business Development Officer Phillippa Cairns on phone 5355 0241 or 0437 715 673, or email [email protected].