SM Development plays an integral part in the growth and sustainability of local businesses and liaise closely with local councils and business groups for a cohesive approach to support delivery.
Wimmera Southern Mallee Business Connect
Research by Federation University in Horsham shows that regional businesses often engage too late or too little with resilience-building services when it comes to major events like drought.
Therefore, as part of our current Drought Resilience Program funded by FRRR, we have re-established a business networking group for local employers under the title ‘Wimmera Southern Mallee Business Connect’.
For information about upcoming meetings, please contact Simone.dalton@wsm.org.au
November 2025 event – Getting Ready for Summer
Get Ready for Summer webinar provides tips and tools to help businesses prepare for whatever summer brings – fires, heatwaves or other challenges. Presentations cover general preparations, business continuity planning, the impacts of heat and ways to be prepared and the experiences of Wades Horsham which specialises in air conditioning and solar. HR consultant Lisa Davidson also provides updates on recent developments which could impact flexible working arrangements and record keeping.
Watch the webinar
Getting Ready for Summer Webinar
Webinar summary
Summary of Getting Ready for Summer Presentations
All the Presentations
251125 WSM Business Connect Business Continuity
Kristi Sullivan Summer Ready Presentation
Business updates – Lisa Davidson
May 2025 event – Weathering Disasters webinar
In late 2024 and early 2025 our region lost nearly 200,000 ha of parks and adjoining farmland to fire. Multiple regional shires were also receiving drought support. In the north of the country there was too much rain.Things are unlikely to change, with our changing climate predicted to deliver more variable and unpredictable weather into the future. In 2023 extreme weather costs homeowners $4 billion nationally and this is expected to more than double to $8.7 billion by 2050. These four speakers talk about both what happens when climatic disasters occur, the valuable lessons learned and, how to better prepare before the next ones happen.
weathering disaster – Fiona cameron
Weathering disasters – maggie bridgewater
Weathering Disasters Presentation Kristi Sullivan
Get Ready Stories – Busness Ready for Disaster
March 2025 event – Wisdom for Hire
A panel of speakers highlights the benefits of diverse ages, genders and backgrounds for a high performing team. They talk of cross generational learnings, the health and mental health benefits of working, paid and unpaid, and of the lived experience that comes with maturity.
Summary of all speakers
WSM Business Connect Wisdom for Hire event – Final
December 2024 Meeting Presentation
Regional business managers highlight the challenges and success factors in staffing, recruitment and training and look to the outlook for 2025.
September 2024 Meeting Presentations
Federation University Campus
Level 1, Building C, 289 Baillie Street, Horsham VIC 3400
0429 811 744
info@wsm.org.au