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THE CITY
Business News
Support for social sector business
The country is coming to the city Want to have a sneak peek of what will be on offer at the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in March? On Friday 16 February suppliers for the Regional Longest Lunch that will be held at Acheron during the March festival, will set up stalls in Harmony Square, Dandenong. From 11.30am-2.30pm food businesses from Murrindindi Shire and City of Greater Dandenong will be showcasing their products. Come along to sample or purchase the delicious foods and beverages and talk directly to the makers. The businesses on display during this event will all be providing produce for the Regional Longest lunch, which is being co-hosted by Little River Winery, Marian Rennie and the City of Greater Dandenong on Friday 16 March. Visit www.melbournefoodand wine.com.au for more information.
The social sector is a rapidly expanding sector of the economy, which sits alongside the private (business) and public (government) sectors.
There are many social enterprises operating in the City of Greater Dandenong, and Council recognises that these businesses also need support.
It includes organisations with a social conscious, including social enterprises, charities, cooperatives and not-for-profit organisations.
Two such organisations are: ► Twich – a sewing collective for migrant women ► Carers of Africa, a migrant support group whose Sleep Well Project is turning plastic bags into sleeping mats for the homeless.
The sector plays an increasing role in delivering employment, education, health and social care, housing, and environmental outcomes to the community. Victoria is now home to more than 5,000 social sector organisations, employing more than 75,000 people. Social enterprises are the backbone of the social sector, and derive a substantial portion of their income from trade or service provision and use their profits to create social benefit.
www.greaterdandenong.com
Council’s Economic Development Unit is keen to hear from other social enterprises who have ideas or opportunities they would like to explore with some help from Council. Home based businesses are also eligible to tap into Council’s expertise, networks and resources. For more information email business@cgd.vic.gov.au or phone 8571 1550.
Clean Up Australia Day Help make Greater Dandenong beautiful by cleaning up your neighbourhood on Clean Up Australia Day. Clean Up Australia Day is our country’s largest community-based environmental event and Council is calling on the whole community to get involved by registering as a volunteer for the Sunday 4 March event. Businesses are also encouraged to register for the Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday 27 February, and schools can sign up for their own Schools Clean Up Day on Friday 2 March. Visit cleanupaustraliaday. org.au or phone 1800 CUA DAY (1800 282 329) to register a clean-up site or to find a site near you.