Make sure that you are in Belmont on Saturday March 22nd. Many stores will be offering Easter discounts; support the Belmont Scout Group at their sausage sizzle; be entertained by "Sing Australia"; there's a whisper that the Easter Bunny may be hopping by.
Look out for the "Easter in Belmont" feature in the Geelong News.

On 1st of September Belmont welcomed shoppers to enjoy everything it has to offer - including some bargains.
The sun was shining, there were give-aways, competitions, the Belmont Scouts were sizzling sausages. Add a bit of spring bling and it was a perfect day for shopping in Belmont

Celebrate Spring in Belmont on Saturday September 1
There will be plenty of bargains, entertainment by local buskers, face painting, a sausage sizzle by Belmont Scouts and giveaways.
Look for your entry coupon to win a $100 voucher in the Geelong News on August 29

The 2007 Tarz Awards were presented on June 4 at a dinner hosted by the Belmont Rotary Club. The awards were instituted in 2006 in memory of Brian “Tarz” Taylor, former manager of the Belmont Lucky Lotto Shop in High Street, who died suddenly in 2004. This second year of the awards saw over 90 nominations received for businesses in the Belmont shopping district. Awards are presented in two categories – the Customer Service Award and the Personality Award, as a means of recognising the qualities of friendship, respect for others and service to the Belmont community which Tarz represented. Congratulations to all those businesses and individuals who were nominated and to the winners of the awards for this year. The Customer Service Award was presented to Natalie and Graham Faulmann, Blu Living. The Personality Award was presented to Claire Barnes, Insight Nutrition Consultant Dietitians.

Other businesses who were in the final shortlist for consideration were Belmont Hardware, Coffee by Design, Kala Wellness and Beauty Centre, Patsy’s Place Homewares, Yummy Mummy Lolly Shop.

These awards are a great way of encouraging businesses to continually improve their business and provide excellent service for their customers – the people of Belmont and the Geelong area generally. Congratulations to all of these businesses.

Thanks to the Belmont Rotary Club whose members work very hard to bring these awards together, with support from the Belmont Business Association. The support of the Geelong Independent newspaper is invaluable in letting the community know about the awards and the high quality services available to them.

The Belmont Rotary Club are participating in ventures to raise funds for International Aid, by seeking donations in kind. One of the projects they have is the recycling of old Inkjet and Toner Cartridges. If you want to dispose of your old cartridges, why not give them to Rotary. Cartridges may be left at collection points at Bendigo Bank branches, Chilwell Office Supplies, Westcoast Hair and Beauty Supplies, Bri-ter Offset Printing. More information is available from Ray Bassett, 03 5221 4159.

Various Rotary branches may also be involved in recycling basic hospital equipment, sporting equipment, clothes and shoes, computers, VCRs, printers (in working order), crockery, cutlery, saucepans etc, educational books, paperback novels and general school supplies. If you would like more information about any of these, contact Anton Van Doornik, 5278 5544 or Russell Peake, 5223 1000.

Two editions of the "Discover Belmont Shopping" brochure have been distributed in this financial year. Thanks to Mouse Matt Creations for designing and printing these.

A copy of the brochure was sent to businesses with the recent newsletter. 13,500 copies of the brochure were distributed to letterboxes in the Belmont, Highton and Grovedale areas, for a cost to participating businesses of just $150 (not including GST).
However, unfotuantely, the number of participants was less than we had anticipated, leading to a loss on the venture. If any future editions of this are to proceed, we will either need to charge more or to have more participants, so as to avoid making any future loss.

If you have any comments or alternative ideas about this brochure, please contact Carol Baker on 5264 1505 or email reeveaj@bigpond.com.

The Committee of the Belmont Business Association needs members willing to take on the challenge of a position on the Committee if the Association is to thrive and move ahead.
A representative from the Belmont Village area would assist in identifying needs in this area. It doesn't matter what size or type your business is or where it is located - you will be best heard by actively participating in the Association and particularly, joining the Committee.

Recently trade has fluctuated with some days leaving us wondering where all the customers were. Well, we're all in the same boat and would welcome any information and ideas of customer patterns that may affect most businesses. Jot your ideas down and fax them through to me on 5243 4734.

I encourage all members to take advantage of any advertising or promotional opportunities that we negotiate through the BBA. Buying as a group gives us cheaper rates than going it alone.
Vince Albanese

The Easter Bunny was seen in Belmont recently - hopping, skipping and bringing some cheeky fun to all.
You never know what you’ll see in Belmont, so make sure you visit often. Plenty of variety, free parking, lots of great cafés and restaurants and a friendly atmosphere make Belmont the place to be.

Discover Belmont today!

Stress is certainly something we experience in running a small business, so thanks to Debi Hamilton for presenting this seminar.
Debi provided us with a number of points to think about and some strategies to help us see the big picture and re-evaluate where we are going with our businesses. Those present found it a very useful exercise, with some tools to re-evaluate in the future. For more information, contact Debi at Debi Hamilton Counselling and Consulting, Ph 52437903.
Thanks also to Vision Australia for loaning us the meeting room.

Due to a subdivision occurring in Thomson Street, renumbering of existing buildings has occurred. Businesses are in the process of changing signage etc. but this may cause some confusion if the number of the building is different to that listed in the phone book for example. If in doubt, check with the business you are visiting for directions.

Earlier in the year, High Street's new look was unveiled by the Minister for State and Regional Development, John Brumby.
The unveiling was an important moment as the City of Greater Geelong and the Victorian Government saw their efforts come to fruition.

The improved streetscape, with new paving, street furniture and underground powerlines, has also pleased the Belmont Business Association, having been achieved at no cost to local business owners through regular communication between the BBA and the CoGG throughout the redevelopment project.

To read the Victorian Government Media Release, click here.

Belmont is set to be part of a new bus route linking Geelong's major retail centres, railway stations and universities.
The new routes were proposed by The Public Transport Users Association’s Geelong branch in an attempt to bring Geelong's public transport up to the service level standards set in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

To read the full article, click here.