A letter from the president
Dear Camberwell Junction traders,
While winter may have felt quieter, with many locals on holidays and colder weather affecting foot traffic, June’s retail sales figures revealed a 1.2 per cent increase, following a 0.5 per cent rise in May and a flat April. The Reserve Bank’s decision in July to keep the cash rate steady at 3.85 per cent was a positive sign.
During the colder months, we’re promoting our food offer, tempting people to dine out or entertain at home. The Camberwell Culinary Awards runs until the end of September, and customers can vote for their favourite local eateries to win a $500 gift card. They must purchase to enter, which will help sales, increase visitation and encourage people to discover our food scene. If you want a chance to get an award, remember to promote it in-store and online to maximise your chances.
We’re also gearing up for Kylie and Dannii Day on October 5, a celebration of the famous Minogue sisters and their ties to Camberwell. This is a chance to get creative and attract customers – maybe you can offer ‘Minogue markdowns’ or a deal if a customer can
Marketing snapshot
The Camberwell Culinary Awards has returned over the cooler months to celebrate cuisine in the precinct by giving customers the chance to vote for their favourite meal or beverage. They can vote across a range of categories including best coffee, best brunch, best sweet treat, best drinking spot, best casual dining, best fine dining, best takeaway, and best healthy option. The campaign aims to drive sales to local businesses, as entrants are required to purchase a meal or beverage and upload their receipt for a valid entry into the competition. The prize is $500 to spend in Camberwell Junction. The competition runs until the end of September, and we’ll share results of winning businesses for each category in the next newsletter and on our social media channels.
Our Father’s Day promotion features a branded rollout across outdoor and digital advertising. This campaign, which includes laneway posters, articles and social media posts, aims to keep Father’s Day front of mind for shoppers. It will run until Sunday September 7, for any last-minute gift-givers.
We also ran a minor promotion for winter to promote key retail categories and to inspire ideas on how people could enjoy the season in Camberwell Junction. Additionally, we produced an article to promote school holiday activities taking place across businesses in the precinct.
name a Kylie hit. We’ll supply a trader pack with social media assets to help you get involved.
Halloween was popular last year so we’re going bigger this year for what is a strong retail period. Locals have shown us they love to dress up and we can send them to your store if you’re doing something special. Celebrations will be on Saturday, October 25 from 10am to 2pm. What will you do to participate?
We’ve also shared an update on our branding strategy campaign, which aims to strengthen Camberwell Junction’s identity and draw new visitors to the precinct. You might find this useful when planning your own marketing.
Don’t forget to check the Trader Portal at camberwellshopping.com.au for business updates and support resources. Make sure you tag us in your social media content and email your offers so we can share them: info@camberwellca.com.au
Regards, Henk Kelly-Kobes President, Camberwell Centre Association
Our online marketing activities continue to yield strong results. Here’s a snapshot of Camberwell Junction’s digital audience numbers:
• More than 8000 email addresses in our subscriber database
• More than 150,500 visits to the websites over the past year
• More than 9800 followers on social media.
We're continuing to raise the profile of Camberwell Junction
We’ve expanded our brand campaign to put Camberwell Junction firmly on the map as one of Melbourne’s go-to shopping and dining precincts.
Backed by market research, our campaign taps into what locals already love – standout grocery, food and retail options – while strengthening Camberwell Junction precinct’s identity across both Camberwell and Hawthorn East, under one unified name.
We’ve produced fresh creative and video content that are now running as ads, including “A Day Well Spent” and “CamberWELL-KEPT Secrets”, plus an incredibly creative, animated crossing paths ad that culminates into our iconic junction logo, showcasing everything our precinct has to offer.
It’s all part of our mission to make Camberwell Junction a vibrant, connected hub where visitors can do it all –shop, dine, unwind and explore. Stay tuned for more!
Advertise in next issue of The Camberwell Citizen
Our independently produced newspaper, The Camberwell Citizen, will soon open advertising for the final edition of the year. This will be the Christmas/ summer edition and offers your business an effective way to leverage Christmas and New Year campaigns through targeted advertising. This edition will be distributed from mid-November, giving you optimal time to advertise your business in the lead up to and during the festive period. The publication, which features local stories and has a dedicated section that highlights the Camberwell Junction precinct, has a local distribution of 30,000 copies. Enquire about advertising by sending an email to: citizen@assemblo.com
HALLO WEEN HALLO WEEN
IN CAMBERWELL JUNCTION
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 10AM – 2PM
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 25, as Halloween returns to Camberwell Junction – bigger than ever! Following an overwhelming response in 2024, this year’s event will be packed with family-friendly fun including trick-or-treating, face painting, roaming entertainers and the Ghastly Ghost Hunt competition.
Shoppers will be invited to find hidden ghosts around the precinct, with a chance to win a $200 Luna Park voucher for a day of scary rides with the whole family!
Get involved by decorating your shopfront, hiding a Ghastly Ghost Hunt poster in your shop, or running spooky specials. It’s a great opportunity to draw in crowds and boost your weekend trade. Keep your eyes peeled for a trader pack detailing the event at the end of September.
Strong EOFY sales for Camberwell Junction
Camberwell Junction had a good end-of-financialyear sales period in 2025, performing strongly and slightly better than the state average. Local support and community activity played a big part in driving strong sales, especially in fashion, homewares, beauty and dining.
Big discounts, some up to 70%, brought in bargain hunters while Camberwell’s mix of national stores and local businesses helped turn those shoppers into sales across the precinct
Marketing calendar
What’s coming up?
SEPTEMBER
✓ Camberwell Culinary Awards
✓ Spring school holidays (September 20 – October 5)
OCTOBER
✓ Spring school holidays (September 20 – October 5)
✓ Halloween promotion (October 25)
✓ Halloween (October 31)
NOVEMBER
✓ The Camberwell Citizen issue #24 available
✓ Melbourne Cup Day (November 4)
DECEMBER
✓ Camberwell Christmas Family Day (December 13)
✓ Christmas Day (December 25)
✓ Boxing Day (December 26)
✓ Summer school holidays (December 20 – January 27)
Trader Portal
Check the Trader Portal tab on the website for helpful advice and resources. Examples of current articles that can help your business include tips and links for improving your digital security, government grants for small restaurants, and a business recycling and waste toolkit.
Visit: camberwellshopping.com.au/cca-association-news
Networking events
Meet other traders, professionals and community members to share ideas and issues.
TRADER AND BUSINESS FORUMS
The next Camberwell Business Forum will be held on September 25, so stay tuned for further details. The free event is open to all retail and service-based businesses in the local area.
The Camberwell Business Forums offer local businesses a great opportunity to meet and network over drinks and nibbles. Featuring new and interesting guest speakers and relevant business topics, make sure you don’t miss out on these great events. They are FREE for Camberwell traders or $25 for non-members, unless otherwise stated.
Visit camberwellbusiness.com.au to secure your spot.
CAMBERWELL BUSINESS CLUB
The Camberwell Business Club meets on the first Thursday of each month (from February to December). Meetings are held upstairs at Deco (211 Camberwell Rd) from 1pm – 2pm sharp and features a guest speaker. Membership packages are available. It’s a great chance to meet fellow business operators over a light lunch.
Details: camberwellbusinessclub.com.au
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE BUSINESSES
We know it can be tricky to stay across all the new businesses opening in the precinct – especially those located on upper levels – so if you’re aware of any, we’d love to hear from you.
A reminder that the camberwellshopping.com.au website isn’t just for retailers. If your business serves the public or collaborates with other small businesses, you’re welcome to be featured too. We can create a web page for you which is completely free of charge.
Don’t forget to visit camberwellbusiness.com.au for local business events happening around the precinct. If you’re planning a seminar or event, we’re more than happy to help spread the word.
Simply send your details to info@camberwellca.com.au
Shop news
Catch up with new businesses, store moves and other news.
BAO BAO GO
Shop 1, Camberwell Fresh Food Market, 519 Riversdale Rd
Bao Bao Go serves up handmade dumplings, fluffy bao, and real brewed bubble tea from their shop near the Riversdale Road entrance of the Camberwell Fresh Food Market.
BLUEMING POTTERY
222 Camberwell Rd
Blueming Pottery has arrived in Camberwell Junction. The cosy, community-minded pottery studio offers playful, beginner-friendly workshops in wheel throwing, hand-building, and painting pottery.
CAMBERWELL BUTCHERY
Shop 4, Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd
Formerly known at Rainbow Meats, Camberwell Butchery is now under new management. With a large variety, they strive to provide the largest and best quality meat at a reasonable price.
CAMBERWELL WHISKY CHAMBER
766 Burke Rd
New to the precinct, Camberwell Whisky Chamber offers whisky, spirits, champagne and wine. They hold regular expert whisky tastings and stock old, rare, and collectible whisky.
FISH PIER
Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd
Fish Pier has reopened after undergoing renovations. Pop in to see the new-look store and stock up on all your seafood items.
HEARING CONSULTANTS CAMBERWELL
664 Burke Rd
New to the precinct, Hearing Consultants Camberwell delivers expert hearing health services with a personal touch. They offer microsuction ear wax removal, diagnostic hearing tests, and custom earplug solutions.
PASTURE + VINE
Shop 23, Camberwell Fresh Food Market, 519-525 Riversdale Rd
Pasture + Vine offers artisanal cheeses, wines, and seasonal delights in the heart of Camberwell Fresh Food Market.
PERRI CUTTEN
Rear 642-644 Burke Rd
This iconic fashion house has opened an outlet store in Camberwell Junction offering beautiful archival range with generous markdowns.
SAM SAYS
Waterman Camberwell, 793 Burke Rd
New to the precinct, Sam Says is a boutique marketing consultancy led by Sam McFarlane, helping service-based businesses simplify and strengthen their digital presence.
THE HIP AND KNEE PHYSIO
1/3 Prospect Hill Rd
Located within Life Ready, The Hip and Knee Physio offers advanced physio care for hip and knee pain. Led by physiotherapist Emma Glynn, she helps adults to move better and feel stronger.
VITAL IV THERAPY
Shop 3, 347 Camberwell Rd
Now open in Camberwell Junction, Vital IV Therapy delivers essential hydration, vitamins and minerals directly to your bloodstream, offering a unique approach to health and wellness.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
PRESIDENT Henk Kelly-Kobes 0412 939 665
SECRETARY
Bev Wooffindin
Camberwell Secretariat 9813 2707
MEMBERS
Ray Orr Mail Boxes Etc 9813 2200
Wayne Chen The Gift Bargain Store 0433 159 949
Neil Earle Earle & Company 9882 0233
George Keskerides Terry White Chemist 9882 6655
VICE PRESIDENT Di Gillies Former Boroondara Councillor 0438 002 749
TREASURER
Brittany Unwin SC Accounting 8840 9188
Chris Risteski itsagame 0401 916 082
Kathryn Campbell Hats Off Handmade Headwear 0455 046 467
If you would like to become a member of the association or take a role on the committee contact the president to discuss.
SUPPORT FOR TRADERS
All traders are welcome to contact precinct manager Kerry Daly to discuss any marketing or relevant issues. Call (03) 9813 4190 or email kdaly@camberwellca.com.au
STAY INFORMED
The trader’s association sends out monthly email newsletters with current business, news and marketing updates to ensure you stay informed about what’s going on in the precinct. If you are not receiving these emails then we either do not have your current email address or you need to check your spam filters. Please contact us if you are having any issues with receiving the email newsletter.
CONTACT US
For further information regarding topics in this newsletter, please contact
Kerry Daly Camberwell Centre Association Manager
Lvl 1, Camberwell Place, 793 Burke Rd Camberwell VIC 3124
Phone / Fax: (03) 9813 4190 info@camberwellca.com.au