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traders’ newsletter
CAMBE RWE LL T R
AD E
RS A
RTER 2026 A U Q SSOC URTH IATION NEWS – FO
In this issue Marketing update Culinary Awards and Halloween review
CamberwellShopping
Christmas
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Shop news
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Camberwell Junction Traders Association Update Dear Camberwell Junction traders, Christmas is fast approaching, and the precinct is getting ready for one of the busiest and most exciting times of the year. With our Christmas promotions, decorations and annual Family Day helping to bring visitors into Camberwell Junction, we encourage all our traders to make the most of the opportunities the festive season brings. Our annual Culinary Awards were a great success again this year. This promotion helps us highlight our diverse range of cafés, restaurants, and food businesses. Hundreds of customers voted for their favourites across a range of categories. Congratulations to all of this year's award winners, and to our competition winner, Vinnie Pereira, who will receive a $500 Camberwell shopping voucher. Halloween was the highlight of the quarter, bringing families and the local community together for a day of spooky fun at Camberwell Junction. It was wonderful to see the precinct come alive as visitors enjoyed the festivities and connected with local traders and one another. Thank you to all the traders who really got behind this event.
We're now looking forward to the return of our Christmas Family Day on Saturday, December 12. Read more about the festive activities, including the Where's Rudolph? competition in the full article enclosed. Our Christmas decorations are now in place, and we’re also supporting traders who want to add some extra festive spirit to their stores with Little Picture creating Christmas window displays for participating businesses. We encourage you to get involved, dress up your stores and staff, and think about how you can make your business stand out during the Christmas shopping season. We hope to see you at our trader celebrations on Wednesday, November 25, from 5pm in Rosa's at Bar None for our AGM and free Christmas celebration. Finally, remember to check the Trader Portal at camberwelljunction.com.au for the latest business updates, resources and opportunities. Be sure to tag us in your social media content and send through your Christmas offers and promotions so we can help share them with our community. We wish you and your teams a safe, happy and successful Christmas trading period. Camberwell Centre Association Committee
Marketing snapshot The 2026 Camberwell Culinary Awards returned over winter to celebrate the outstanding dining experiences across Camberwell Junction. We received hundreds of entries, and because entrants had to submit proof of purchase, our food retailers also benefited. The prize was a $500 Camberwell Junction shopping voucher that the winner can now spend here. Thank you to all participating traders for supporting the campaign and encouraging their customers to get involved As spring arrived, campaign activity shifted to seasonal and holiday moments, with content and promotions supporting Spring fashion and homewares, and key occasions including the AFL Grand Final and Melbourne Cup. These SEO campaigns provided opportunities to showcase local retailers, hospitality venues and experiences while encouraging customers to visit the precinct and support local businesses. The annual Halloween promotion was also a great success, transforming Camberwell Junction into a hive of activity as families came out to celebrate. Activations were placed throughout the precinct to encourage visitors to discover our wonderful local traders. The Haunted Window Hunt encouraged families to explore Camberwell Junction in search of hidden Halloween images, with participants going into
the draw to win a $200 Camberwell Junction voucher, and many businesses joined in the trick-or-treat fun. Alongside the wider Halloween activity, the campaign created a lively atmosphere across the precinct and encouraged visits to a broad range of businesses. • Almost 8,000 email addresses in our subscriber database • More than 193,996 visits to the website over the past year • More than 8700 followers across our social media platforms.
IN CAMBERWELL JUNCTION Christmas is coming to Camberwell Junction with decorations up and our annual Christmas Family Day planned for Saturday, December 12. The event will bring the community together for a day of free activities, entertainment and festive fun across the precinct. Families can enjoy photos with Santa, fire truck rides, Christmas crafts, a festive photo wall, balloon creations, live music and roving entertainment.
Our popular Where’s Rudolph? competition is a local tradition with visitors searching shop windows for Rudolph and his friends. Participants will go in the running to win a $500 Camberwell shopping voucher while discovering our local traders. Christmas Family Day is a great opportunity to welcome festive shoppers into your store and join the celebrations.
DIGITAL MARKETING Our Christmas digital campaign will showcase Camberwell Junction as a destination for local shopping, dining and services, encouraging visitors to support local businesses throughout the festive season. Promotion will include social media, email communications, website updates, editorial content, and other marketing activity featuring gift ideas, trader offers, festive inspiration, Christmas Family Day, and reminders that shopping in person ensures gifts arrive in time.
HOW YOU CAN MAKE THE MOST OF CHRISTMAS AT CAMBERWELL JUNCTION Christmas is your opportunity to attract customers, showcase your business, and create a memorable shopping experience. Here are some simple ways to get involved: • Bring your shop window to life with a festive display • Consider extending your trading hours in the lead‑up to Christmas, and display them clearly using the trading hours posters provided by the association
FESTIVE WINDOW PAINTING We're continuing our partnership with local artists Little Pictures, who will create festive, hand-painted Christmas window displays for the first 20 businesses, so register your interest ASAP. The association will cover the cost of an initial simple design, and traders can arrange more elaborate designs directly with Little Pictures at their own cost. Window painting will take place from mid-November through to December. For questions about our Christmas marketing activities, contact Kerry Daly at info@camberwellca.com.au.
• Add Christmas cheer with music, decorations or themed staff outfits • Remind customers that your Cyber Sales are available in-store, giving them the opportunity to shop early for Christmas and avoid missing out on popular items • Create a dedicated gift display or showcase gift ideas by price or recipient • Offer a special promotion, gift with purchase or in‑store experience • Make shopping easier with gift wrapping or pre‑wrapped gifts • Support a local charity or community organisation through a Christmas initiative. Planning a festive offer, activation or display? Let us know! We can help promote your activity through our website and social media channels. Email the details of your activity to info@camberwellca.com.au
Camberwell Culinary Awards PROVENCE ARTISAN BAKERS
PROSPECT ESPRESSO
BEST COFFEE
BEST BRUNCH
CON NOI ITALIAN TRATTORIA
MONGKOK TEA HOUSE
GLENFERRIE CREPE CAFE
BEST CASUAL DINING
BEST FINE DINING
BEST SWEET TREAT
TRANG BAKERY AND CAFE
CHARGRILL CHARLIE'S
MONGKOK TEA HOUSE
BEST TAKEAWAY
BEST HEALTHY OPTION
BEST DRINKING SPOT
The annual Camberwell Culinary Awards once again allowed the community to celebrate the fantastic food and hospitality businesses across Camberwell Junction. This year, customers were encouraged to share their favourite local cafés, restaurants and food businesses across a range of categories, helping to spotlight the precinct's diverse culinary offering. Building on last year's record-breaking campaign, this year's awards were even more successful, generating more than 33% growth in total customer entries compared with 2025 and demonstrating the campaign's continued growth and strong customer engagement. Congratulations to all of our 2026 winners! We look forward to celebrating all of this year's winners and continuing to showcase the businesses that make Camberwell Junction a great destination for food and dining.
Halloween in Camberwell Junction Halloween in Camberwell Junction returned this year with another fun-filled day for the community. This event grows each year, and Halloween is now a major retail opportunity for many businesses. The event also offers a fun, community-focused activity that brings in new faces and locals alike, with families enjoying a range of spooky activities, entertainment, and plenty of opportunities to explore all that Camberwell Junction has to offer. We placed activations throughout the precinct to encourage visitors to explore and discover new areas and new traders. The Haunted Window Hunt sent families searching for hidden Halloween images on shop windows, with a chance to win a $200 voucher. Other popular activities included face painting, live music, arts and crafts, roving entertainment and businesses offering trick-or-treat surprises. The precinct was filled with Halloween spirit, with many children (and some adults) dressing up to celebrate. The event was also supported by strong promotion across digital, outdoor and editorial channels, helping to build awareness and encourage visitors to attend. We’re thrilled to see Halloween in Camberwell Junction taking off and look forward to building on this year’s success to make it even bigger next year.
Marketing calendar NOVEMBER ✓ Diwali (November 8) ✓ AGM & Christmas party (November 25) ✓ Black Friday (November 27) ✓ Cyber Monday (November 30)
DECEMBER ✓ Camberwell Christmas Family Day (December 12) ✓ Christmas Day (December 25) ✓ Boxing Day (December 26) ✓ Summer school holidays (December 19 - January 27)
JANUARY ✓ New Year’s Day (public holiday January 1) ✓ Australia Day (public holiday January 26) ✓ School term starts (January 28) ✓ Back to school sales
Are you receiving trader updates? Changes in business ownership and staff over time mean some businesses may no longer be subscribed to our dedicated trader mailing list. We use this list exclusively to share relevant communications with local traders so that you can stay informed without unrelated updates. If you're not subscribed, you could be missing important opportunities to get involved, including upcoming events, marketing campaigns and promotions, trader initiatives, networking opportunities and resources designed to support your business and strengthen the local business community. As we can't manually re-subscribe businesses without consent, simply scan the QR code to sign up. By joining the trader mailing list, you'll receive relevant updates directly and stay informed about opportunities to participate, promote your business and connect with other local traders. camberwelljunction.com.au/cca-association-news
FEBRUARY ✓ Chinese New Year (February 6) ✓ Valentine’s Day (February 14)
Retail Crime Camberwell Junction is not immune to shop theft, staff harassment or property damage. We urge you to report any incident to Victoria Police as this helps them to allocate resources to the precinct. • If it's an emergency and you need Police assistance, call 000 • If it's not an emergency but you need the Police, call 000; they will decide when and how the Police can handle the matter, and it gets logged • If it’s after the event but you wish to make a report, call 131 444 or visit onlinereporting.police.vic.gov.au • If it's a minor crime, you can log it anonymously with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 so the reports can be catalogued, allowing Police to build a profile of the offenders. You may also like to consider engaging the Safer Places Network. This low-cost, localised monitoring system allows businesses and the community to share local issues, alerts, and CCTV footage, helping us be more vigilant. Contact David Bartlett for more information on 0405 142 441 or visit saferplaces.com.au
AGM AND CHRISTMAS DRINKS As we wrap up another busy year at Camberwell Junction, we invite all traders and their teams to join us on Wednesday, November 25 at Rosa's at Bar None for our AGM and Christmas celebration. The AGM will run from 5pm–6pm, followed by a Christmas celebration with festive food, drinks, and good company as we celebrate another year together. The AGM will allow you to hear about the past 12 months, learn what's planned for the year ahead, and connect with fellow traders and the association committee. This is also your opportunity to consider joining the committee, to have input in shaping the direction of our marketing and to help us advocate to Boroondara Council on important issues affecting the precinct and impacting your business. We meet only four times a year, and our team is friendly and supportive. If interested, contact Kerry Daly at info@camberwellca.com.au The event is free to attend, but RSVPs are essential for catering. Register at camberwelljunction.com.au/party or email Kerry Daly at info@camberwellca.com.au
Shop news
Catch up with new businesses, store moves and other news. BASANT INDIAN SOCIAL DINING
509 Riversdale Road Inspired by the season of new beginnings, Basant celebrates the diversity of Indian cuisine through fresh ingredients, traditional recipes and modern interpretations. Basant Indian Social Dining combines authentic curries, tandoor specialties and street-style favourites with contemporary influences.
BY MOSS
833 Burke Road By Moss brings French, Italian and Japanese fusion dining to Camberwell, combining elegant techniques and fresh ingredients to create a diverse menu of brunch, ramen, rice bowls, premium mains and signature steaks. Set in a stylish 200sqm space, it’s a welcoming spot for lunch, brunch or dinner keep an eye out for the fun custom photo-print lattes!
CAFE DE JUNCTION
Shop 2, Ground Level, 695 Burke Road A welcoming fusion café serving delicious café favourites alongside authentic Malaysian dishes, all made in-house by Malaysian owner and chef Shoun. With French pastry training, Shoun brings a unique blend of culinary influences to the menu, creating a range of sweet and savoury treats. Now occupying the former Café Latte Da location, it’s a warm local spot for breakfast, lunch or a coffee break.
HORGANS
347 Camberwell Road Horgans is a spacious, light-filled furniture showroom offering premium designer furniture and homewares. Receive expert advice tailored to your space for pieces that elevate your interiors, whether you're furnishing your home or working on a design project.
JOYRIDE COFFEE CO.
Ground Floor/691 Burke Road This funky little café on Burke Road serves specialty coffee, delicious delistyle toasties, and freshly baked goodies. While you're there, browse the merch corner and soak up the vintage motorcycle and car vibes.
MECCA
819 Burke Road MECCA has had a small shop on Burke Road for years, but they have now made a much larger investment in Camberwell Junction with their new mega MECCA store. Located in what was originally Georges Department Store and then, for many years, the popular Georges Restaurant site, the stunning facade and major interior renovation have created a huge new showroom with stunning displays of the latest and best brands in skincare and make-up, done with the style MECCA is famous for.
TOO TIRED
726 Burke Road New to the precinct, Too Tired is a relaxed neighbourhood sandwich shop serving delicious sangas, coffee, and baked treats. The menu features chicken burgers, Reuben sandwiches and teriyaki mushroom melts, alongside Basque cheesecakes, cookies and other baked goods. Pair your meal with a great coffee, including their signature lavender syrup coffee, and settle in to eat, drink and rest a while.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT Di Gillies Position to be filled Former Boroondara Councillor 0438 002 749 SECRETARY Bev Wooffindin Camberwell Secretariat 9813 2707
TREASURER Brittany Unwin SC Accounting 8840 9188
MEMBERS Wayne Chen The Gift Bargain Store 0433 159 949
Chris Risteski itsagame 0401 916 082
George Keskerides Terry White Chemist 9882 6655 If you would like to become a member of the association or take a role on the committee, please contact the president to discuss.
NEIL EARLE Sad news to share: a long-standing member of the Camberwell business community has recently passed away. Neil Earle operated his accounting practice in Camberwell Junction from 1990 and was a vital part of the Camberwell Traders Association for the past 28 years. Having served as President and Treasurer, and as a current committee member, he generously shared his expertise, good sense, and friendship with fellow traders, clients, and the broader Camberwell community. Many of you will have known Neil, and we will miss him dearly.
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
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