Zero new case numbers along with zero lives lost for seven consecutive days – how good is that?! It was great to see Victorians starting to get out and about to enjoy Melbourne Cup week, even if we couldn’t get to the track. 

But the race that stops a nation wasn’t the only highlight of my week. Along with our President Karyn Sobels, I was honoured to host the Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Linda Dessau AC and Mr Anthony Howard AM QC on a ‘city walk’ tour of some of our CBD’s retail and hospitality businesses yesterday.

The Governor wanted to hear, first-hand, about how businesses have adapted during the pandemic, what new innovations or operations they have taken on and what the future looks like for them. The Governor was impressed with how business has risen to the challenge, saying to the Herald Sun, “I know how hard it’s been for so many businesses, retail and hospitality, across these months. But I can also see the brilliant innovation that they’ve been implementing, and also feel the energy and positivity as we come back.”

One of the best things we’ve seen through this period is collaboration and that spirit will continue to grow as we get through to the next phase in our recovery. Thank you to Paul and the team at the Imperial Hotel, Bill, Rosie and Anna at Paperback Bookshop, Shane Delia at Providoor and Guy and Liz and the team at Grossi Florentino for your insights during the tour.

The lifting of the ring of steel next week gives us the perfect opportunity to play a substantial role in helping to rebuild out state. While we also welcome the opening of the NSW border in a couple of weeks, I’m hoping we can all commit to spending our dollars by buying local and holidaying in our state this summer to help restore our once vibrant economy.

Businesses in our regional tourism havens have found 2020 particularly tough with bushfires and then border closures and metropolitan restrictions slashing the usual number of visitors. Our state has so much beauty and diversity to offer and there are countless options for a place to enjoy a relaxing holiday during our warmer months. You can expect to see me up on the border in Echuca-Moama this summer! My extended family have been holidaying in the region for years, and the Mighty Murray is one of my favourite places in summer in Victoria.

Victorian businesses need our support now more than ever and I’d encourage all Victorians to step up to the plate and holiday in our home state this summer. The Victorian Chamber’s 2020-21 State Budget submission centred on helping Victorian businesses get back on their feet through three key themes: protect and grow local businesses and jobs; reclaim our global reputation; and define and implement the next big build. We can all play a role in our state’s recovery success.

The State Budget will be handed down on November 24 and the Victorian Chamber will provide all the details once they come to light. In the meantime, this week’s edition of Chamber News features in depth analysis and coverage of our budget submission, from member feedback to our detailed recommendations and a feature from Pitcher Partners on the state of the economy.

I hope you enjoy your weekend and once we can, let’s get out and enjoy everything our great state has to offer.