Twenty-seven small business owners in Mallacoota and Orbost walked away from a recent series of Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) workshops feeling more confident, capable, and connected after participating in four practical sessions focused on business growth and resilience.
Held over two evenings in each town, the workshops attracted a diverse mix of local business owners, sole traders, and entrepreneurs. Delivered in partnership with The Wilderness Collective in Mallacoota and the Future of Orbost and District project in Orbost, the free events combined expert-led learning with shared meals, helping to foster both professional and community connections.
The sessions were facilitated by Geoff Hodgens, an ABV Skilled Volunteer, whose interactive style and sharp sense of humour helped bring traditionally dry business topics to life. With decades of experience advising small and medium-sized enterprises across Australia, Geoff offered participants not only practical tools but also the confidence to take their next business steps.
“After completing these workshops, I feel confident about the next steps I need to take to move forward with my business,” shared one participant. “The knowledge I’ve gained here removed roadblocks I couldn’t get through on my own.”
Another participant added, “This was a fabulous opportunity to learn a great deal of very helpful information in a short space of time.”
Each workshop covered key areas of business including planning for growth, attracting customers, improving operations, and financial management. Every participant reported an increased understanding of the topics and improved confidence in applying what they’d learned. ABV’s custom-designed workbooks and facilitator guides were particularly well-received, providing tools that could be immediately applied to real-world challenges.
Participants now have the opportunity to take their learning even further, with follow-up mentoring available through ABV’s Resilient Regions program. The workshops are part of ABV’s ongoing commitment to supporting resilient, thriving communities, and were proudly supported by the Australian and Victorian Governments.
