Ann Peacock is a trailblazer in fostering positive change during her tenure as the former General Manager of Community and Charity at Crown Melbourne, her commitment to the community, and tireless efforts in raising funds for high-profile charity events.

This year the Victorian Chamber released a careers campaign addressing a lack of adequate career services for students, graduates and workers in Australia.

I have spent the morning representing the Chamber at the State Parliamentary Inquiry into WorkCover to ensure the views of business are heard.

With plenty of Melbourne Chamber member events and attractions on offer, keep your family and friends, or business and clients, entertained over the new year.

Our final major event of the year - our inspirational Women in Business lunch, featuring a captivating conversation between our brilliant MC, Alicia Loxley, and our distinguished guest, the Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO - has been the highlight of my week.

From struggling to attend primary school to now thriving in the workplace, 2023 Victorian Trainee of the Year Rebecca Hope is paving the way for youth and disability employment.

The Honourable Linda Dessau AC CVO, former Governor of Victoria says her role taught her “how lucky we are” to be in Victoria, even if there’s a long way to go on social issues such as gender equality.

The official Victorian Chamber AFLW Grand Final Lunch hosted 300 people at the MCG for an event that transcended the boundaries of sport, business, and inspiration. 

I wanted to ensure you are kept across the WorkCover Bill amendments. We have been working with both the Government and Opposition to ensure they understand a premium increase beyond CPI is not acceptable. We also continue to state that we support necessary changes to make the scheme sustainable. We all need it.

The Federal Government yesterday announced that more than half a billion dollars’ worth of measures will be dedicated to Australia’s landmark cyber security strategy until 2030, which includes $290.8 million to uplift small and medium businesses, $143 billion to defend critical infrastructure and $129.7 million to build regional cooperation and resilience.

A new initiative created with input from the Victorian Chamber is providing a platform for industry to co-design training with TAFEs and dual-sector universities.

Melbourne Chamber member Yarra Trams’ operator Keolis Downer is linking with North Melbourne Football Club on providing pathways for women into the rail industry.

We have been closely engaged with Spring Street this week as the Parliament considers new legislation to overhaul Victoria’s archaic WorkCover scheme. The Victorian Chamber continues to advocate strongly for a fair and sustainable scheme that remains accessible to workers and affordable for businesses.

The Victorian Chamber’s Business Voice podcast has returned for a second season! In Episode One we put events across Melbourne and Victoria in the spotlight. 

The WorkCover scheme is broken and no longer fit for purpose. It needs to change in order to survive.

The Reserve Bank of Australia’s announcement of a rates increase cast a gloomy shadow over Tuesday's Melbourne Cup celebrations. The decision will impact both businesses and households, exerting additional pressure on those already struggling to make ends meet. The Chamber is cognisant of this strain and we remain committed to supporting and advocating for measures to alleviate the burden on our members.