The decision by National Cabinet to scrap the mandatory isolation period for people who test positive to COVID 19 from October 14 was one of the most significant yet as we continue to put the pandemic further behind us.

It will provide a much-needed boost for business as we head into summer and sends a strong signal to the rest of the world that Australia is well and truly open. We also hope it will encourage more back into the office and back into Melbourne’s CBD which has suffered as a result of the pandemic.

It’s been wonderful to see so many people out across Victoria over the school holidays, but we know a lot more needs to be done to revitalise the city and this week I canvassed a number of ideas in a column for the Herald Sun, which you can read here.

I was also pleased to write a piece on Regional Victoria in the Weekly Times about the key recommendations in our state election platform pillar, Growing Regional Victoria. You can read the column here.

The impending opening of Victoria’s new Trade and Investment Office in Paris early next year will also be an opportunity to grow our international reputation and relationships, and it was an honour to host the French Ambassador to Australia, Jean-Pierre Thebault, at a Melbourne Chamber lunch on Monday.

Marking a new chapter in the relationship between Australia and France, this will provide massive mutual benefits to Victorian and French businesses and complement our existing import-export relationship.

The Victorian Chamber has a big line-up of functions over the coming months for our members and clients to network, make new connections and have a great time.

We have an exclusive webinar with Olympic swimmer Libby Trickett and her husband Luke Trickett about their journey in sport, life and business, and our final Business After Dark for the year at the RACV City Club, thanks to CareSuper.

I’m also looking forward to many of you joining us trackside at Flemington Racecourse for our on Friday October 14 with Melbourne Cup winning jockey Damien Oliver, VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich and racing personality and presenter Emma Freedman in the lead-up to the race that stops a nation.

You can keep up to date with all of our upcoming events here to ensure you don’t miss out! Members and clients often tell me that we run the best business events in Victoria and I’m inclined to agree.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all 27 finalists announced for the 20^th annual Melbourne Awards. Each of the nominees have been recognised for the extraordinary contributions to our community, and I’m looking forward to the winners being announced at Melbourne Town Hall on November 12. I’m also delighted to let you know that Karyn Sobels is the Chief Judge of the Melbournian of the Year award this year too.

With students returning to classrooms this week, I’m almost certain that many will already be counting down to the Christmas holidays! It’s certainly going to be a busy, and hopefully productive, period for Victorian business.

Have a wonderful week.