This Reconciliation Week, DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, invites the community to a free event at 11am this Sunday to honour the Guildford Biyal (Red gum) – one of Victoria’s most significant trees, known by many as ‘the Guildford Big Tree’.
The event is part of DJAARA’s Guildford Biyal Project, which came about after the Biyal dropped a significant limb weighing 25 tonnes in February 2024.
Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung) woman Kerri Douglas who was one of the first on the scene after the limb dropped,
“For Djaara, this Biyal is a very special tree: it’s a ‘ring tree’ – where grafted branches act as a signpost to mark this as a place of cultural significance on Country,” Ms Douglas said.
“The limb drop was a big shock for Djaara – as it was for many in the community. The Honouring Day is an opportunity for everyone in the community who loves this tree to come together to celebrate the tree and pay homage.
“All are welcome – we recommend arriving early as Fryers Street will be closed from 11am. Allow time for parking – you don’t want to miss the ceremony,” Ms Douglas said.
The event is part of DJAARA’s Guildford Biyal Project, which was set up following the limb drop as a way to bring the community together and to make sure the timber was appropriately honoured.
DJAARA Timbers salvaged the fallen limbs and, under the supervision of Djaara Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, pieces have been made available to community members and to commissioned artists to create works for an exhibition, which is planned for later this year.
DJAARA has also run a series of crafting workshops, providing opportunities for mob to gather and practice culture together.
Guided by Uncle Rick, local craftsman Pete McCurley has created a reconciliation seat in the shape of a giant darnuk (coolamon – a shallow vessel) from a large section of fallen limb. The seat will be carried along an honouring avenue and returned to the Biyal in a ceremony during the Honouring Day event.
Uncle Rick said he hopes the seat will become a place for the community to gather during difficult times, drawing on the wisdom of a tree that has stood for centuries.
“Sit here on this Reconciliation Seat and draw on the wisdom, strength and knowledge of this old tree. As you work out a dispute, may what it has seen over hundreds of years bring calmness and guide you toward resolution,” Uncle Rick said.
The Guildford Biyal predates European settlement and is believed to be more than 500 years old – some suggest at least 700 years. One of the largest River Red Gums in Victoria, it was recognised as the National Trust’s Victorian Tree of the Year in 2023.
The Guildford Biyal Honouring Day event is from 11am to 2pm this Sunday 31 May, at 13 Fryers Street, Guildford. Fryers Street will be closed to traffic from 11am to approximately 12.30pm. The ceremony will begin at 11.30am.
The event will include a Welcome to Country, Djaara Women’s dancers, live music, First Nations stalls and a community BBQ from Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative, served by Bendigo Aboriginal Men’s Shed.
DJAARA is delivering the event in partnership with Mount Alexander Shire Council as part of their Reconciliation Week Program, with support from Bendigo & District Aboriginal Co-operative, Bendigo Aboriginal Men’s Shed, and Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation.
An exhibition of artworks, installations, artefacts and sculptures made from and inspired by the Guildford Biyal at Castlemaine Art Museum will be held from August to November 2026.
Ceremony begins at 11:30am – arrive early to find carparking.
Fryers Street will be closed from 11am to approximately 12.30pm.
For more information about the Guildford Biyal project: visit djadjawurrung.com.au/guildford-big-tree

The state government is supporting farmers to increase production and build stronger businesses.

Victorian scientists will explore potential RNA treatments that could protect crops and livestock from diseases.

Both ground-breaking projects are funded through Labor’s $3.5 million RNA for Agriculture Program.

$1.77 million will support research into sustainable RNA-based biopesticides.

This research will target major agricultural pests, including grape phylloxera and the almond carpophilus beetle.

Phylloxera is a tiny insect that attacks the roots of grapevines, ultimately killing the plants.

Outbreaks can cause major yield losses, and there is currently no effective treatment for the pest.

The almond carpophilus beetle attacks the outer hull of almonds, significantly reducing crop quality.

The pest poses a serious threat to Australia’s $1.3 billion almond industry.

A further $1.74 million will support research into an mRNA treatment for dairy mastitis.

Mastitis is the inflammation of a cow’s udder, usually caused by bacterial infection.

This is one of the most significant health, welfare and economic challenges in dairy production.

The project aims to develop an mRNA therapy that boosts the cow’s natural immune response, enabling earlier and more effective control of infection.

This research could help reduce mastitis-related losses by up to $160 million annually in Victoria alone.

The state government is mandating lower energy prices for Victorian households and businesses in embedded networks.

Around 174,000 households and 20,000 small businesses in Victoria are in these private energy networks which include apartment blocks, retirement homes, caravan parks and shopping centres.

Many of them are paying higher prices, because they can’t choose their retailer or ‘shop around’ for a cheaper deal.

Indicative savings for electricity alone could be up to $250 per year for households and up to $600 per year for small business.

The lower price will be set following consultation with industry and consumers, to commence on 1 July 2027.

On average, that means savings of $84 for households and $241 for small businesses under the reduced Victorian Default Offer – which is $444 per year cheaper for households and $1299 for small business than the DMO equivalent in SA, NSW and QLD.

The state government is celebrating small and family businesses and their extraordinary contributions to communities and the economy.

Minister Suleyman joined the small business sector at the Victorian Small Business Awards at the National Gallery of Victoria this week.

The awards brought together small and family business owners and organisations that champion small businesses.

Teeth On Wheels was awarded the Youth in Business Award.

Brothers Joseph and Rami Zeid established the mobile dental clinic in 2015 and have since partnered with over 250 schools to treat more than 80,000 children.

Rakis on Collins won the Multicultural Business Award.

The Melbourne CBD hair salon has operated for more than 40 years, with founder Stavros Tavrou a committed mentor to the next generation of talent.

NLA Logistics was awarded the Women in Business Award.

Starting with one truck in 2016, Nicole Appleton has grown her 100 per cent women-owned business to a fleet of more than 150 contractors, servicing infrastructure and construction projects across Victoria.

Apostle Whey Cheese was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

After 30 years as dairy farmers, Julian and Dianne Benson diversified their business to manufacture artisan cheese at their Cooriemungle dairy farm in 2005.

The business is a major tourism drawcard in the region, offering diverse produce including milk, ice cream and gin, promoting local artisans and demonstrating resilience and innovation.

Victoria is proudly home to more than 735,000 small and family businesses. The small business sector employs more than 1.3 million Victorians and contributes over $417 billion annually to the state’s economy.

For more information about the Victorian Small Business Awards, visit business.vic.gov.au

The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) is backing grassroots football and netball clubs across the state to help keep Victorians safe on our roads.

The 2026 TAC Club Rewards Program was launched at Timboon Demons Football Netball Club, in south-west Victoria, supporting clubs to lead local road safety conversations and encourage safer choices.

Delivered in partnership with AFL Victoria, the program invites clubs to apply for a share of $700,000 to deliver community initiatives that help influence behaviour on the roads and save lives.

Now in its seventh year, the program will focus on speeding, encouraging clubs to lead by example with the message: “Be the Difference. Make the Right Choice. Slow Down on the Road.”

Clubs can apply for up to $10,000 to invest in projects that strengthen their club and support safer communities. Funding can be used to improve transport options, upgrade facilities or deliver local road safety initiatives.

Last year, 320 clubs across Victoria received funding through the program, continuing strong participation from communities across the state.

Among the recipients were Timboon Demons FNC, Sebastopol FNC, Garfield FNC and Cheltenham FC, demonstrating the role local clubs can play in making road safety part of everyday conversations.

The program comes as Victoria continues to focus on reducing road trauma, with 105 lives lost on Victorian roads so far this year, including 62 deaths in regional areas.

Football and netball clubs are at the centre of communities across Victoria, with players, volunteers and supporters travelling on the same roads every week.

Programs like Club Rewards are helping communities look out for one another and encouraging safer decisions on and off the field. More information on the TAC Club Rewards Program here.

The state government is making it easier for locals in Melbourne’s south east to access free mental health care, closer to home.

Minister for Mental Health Ingrid Stitt has opened the Cardinia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, located in Pakenham and Cockatoo.

The free service is now delivering tailored support in-person at the two locations and via telehealth.

It is part of a statewide network of 22 Locals providing care to adults experiencing mental illness or psychological distress across 24 locations throughout Victoria.

Accessing care is simple – you don’t need a Medicare card or GP referral and services are completely free.

Locals act as a ‘front door’ to the system making them an important tool in early intervention.

The network of Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals has already helped more than 41,000 Victorians.

Care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experienced mental health professionals, wellbeing staff and peer support workers.

The network is a flagship initiative by the Labor Government in response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

Services at the Cardinia Mental Health and Wellbeing Local are delivered by Mind Australia in partnership with Monash Health.

The service operates at 16 Station Street, Pakenham and from Eastern Dandenong Ranges Association at 7-17 McBride Street, Cockatoo.

Appointments are available at the Pakenham site from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and the Cockatoo Site, Monday and Wednesday 9am to 5pm.

More information and contact details are available at betterhealth.vic.gov.au/mental-health-wellbeing-locals

Today, we mourn the loss of a true Australian whose courage, humility and determination inspired millions.

Neale Daniher was admired not only for his achievements in football, but for the extraordinary strength and dignity he showed in the face of motor neurone disease.

From his time representing the Essendon Football Club and later coaching the Melbourne Football Club, Neale earned the respect of people right across the football community. But it was his work after his diagnosis that defined his legacy for so many Australians.

Rather than stepping away from public life, Neale chose to fight — not just for himself, but for every family confronting the cruelty of MND. Through FightMND and the Big Freeze campaign, he helped transform awareness, drive research funding and give hope to countless Australians.

Neale’s resilience was remarkable, but so too was his generosity of spirit. He faced unimaginable challenges with optimism, humour and an unwavering focus on others. In doing so, he reminded all of us what real leadership looks like.

His recognition as Australian of the Year Awards recipient reflected the enormous respect and affection Australians held for him and the contribution he made to our nation.

On behalf of The Nationals, I extend my sincere condolences to Jan, their children and grandchildren, the entire Daniher family, and all those who have drawn inspiration from Neale’s strength.

Neale Daniher leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of courage, compassion and service. He fought “the Beast” with everything he had, and in doing so, inspired a nation to do the same.

The Essential Services Commission has announced a reduction in Victoria’s default electricity prices to apply from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027.

The Victorian Default Offer is dropping in each of the state’s five electricity distribution zones, by an average of five percent for residential customers and six per cent for small businesses.

On average, households on the Victorian Default Offer will save $84 a year and small businesses on the offer will save $241 a year.

The Victorian Default Offer is a fair, independently set electricity price that acts as an important safeguard:

• ensuring all homes and small businesses have access to a reasonable electricity deal, even if they are unable or unwilling to engage in the retail market
• setting a maximum price a retailer can charge people living in apartments, retirement villages and caravan parks who cannot choose their own electricity supplier
• acting as a reference price so customers can more easily compare different deals in the market.

Approximately 17 per cent of households (512,000) and 21 per cent of small businesses (62,000) are currently on the Victorian Default Offer. It is a price cap for approximately 182,000 embedded network customers, who cannot choose their own electricity supplier.

The final default prices are a reduction on the prices the commission proposed in its draft decision in March. This is because of updated data about wholesale electricity contract prices and network tariffs.

Residential

Average annual Victorian Default Offer bills for households on flat tariff, assuming 4,000 kWh/year.

Residential

Average annual Victorian Default Offer bills for households on flat tariff, assuming 4,000 kWh/year.

Small business

Average annual Victorian Default Offer bills for small businesses on flat tariff, assuming 10,000 kWh/year.

Essential Services Commission Chairperson and Commissioner Gerard Brody said:

“Lower electricity prices will be welcome news for Victorian households and small business owners who continue to face cost-of-living pressures.”

“Victoria’s default electricity prices are set independently of energy retailers, which ensures all Victorian households and small businesses have access to a fair deal.”

“You can find a better deal by shopping around, but the default offer provides a simple, fair option to all households and small businesses.”

The State has appointed one of Victoria’s most experienced public sector leaders as the head of the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA).

Minister Blandthorn announced today that Wendy Steendam AM APM will lead VECRA from 1 July 2026.

Ms Steendam brings more than four decades of public sector leadership to the role. 

This includes 11 years as Deputy Commissioner of Victoria Police.

She is a Member of the Order of Australia and an Australian Police Medal recipient, as well as being on the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.

Ms Steendam will oversee the licensing, registration and regulation of more than 5,000 services in Victoria.

She brings a long history of strategic leadership in complex regulatory and enforcement environments.

While at Victoria Police she worked in portfolios responsible for family violence response, child abuse and sexual assault. 

VECRA started on 1 January 2026 and operates as a stronger, independent regulator with more powers, resources and inspections.

Ms Steendam’s experience leading complex organisations aligns with the needs of VECRA as a newly established regulatory authority.

Backed by more resources, VECRA has already increased compliance checks at services and has stronger powers to take swift action. 

Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn said:

“Every parent deserves to know their child is safe and cared for – that’s exactly what VECRA delivers.”

“Wendy Steendam has spent her career protecting Victorians, and she is well-placed to continue this work at VECRA.”

The state is making it easier for social enterprises and purpose-driven entrepreneurs to get the support they need to grow and thrive.

A $900,000 investment will deliver strategic initiatives to strengthen and uplift the sector.

Social Enterprise Network Victoria, known as SENVIC, will receive funding to support early-stage and emerging social enterprises to grow into sustainable businesses.

The Australian Centre for Rural Entrepreneurship, known as ACRE, will receive funding to help local government, businesses and communities build capability to support social enterprises in regional areas.

Social Traders will receive funding to streamline the process for social enterprises to get certified and access opportunities created by Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework.

A social enterprise is a business that trades to tackle social problems, improve communities, provide access to employment and training, or help the environment.

Social enterprises reinvest at least 50 per cent of their profits into achieving their mission.

Victoria has a strong social enterprise sector. It employs thousands of people, provides millions of hours of paid work and generates billions of dollars for our economy every year.

Minister for Employment Natalie Suleyman said:

“We’re continuing to invest in our social enterprise sector because we’re committed to building a fair and inclusive economy that benefits all Victorians.”

“Social enterprises are a vital part of Victoria’s economy – they create thousands of employment opportunities, including for people who face barriers to employment.”

SENVIC Chief Executive Officer Ishani Chattopadhyay said:

“Victoria’s social enterprises are proving that inclusive growth, strong communities and sustainable business outcomes can go hand in hand.”

“Through this investment, SENVIC will be able to provide practical support for grassroots and emerging social enterprises as they build capability, strengthen operations and generate lasting social and economic impact in communities across Victoria.”

ACRE Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Matt Pfahlert said:

“ACRE is excited to partner with the Victorian Government to strengthen and grow Victoria’s regional social enterprise ecosystem. At a time of growing interest in social enterprise, these Understanding Social Enterprise workshops bring together cross-sector leaders to unlock new pathways for local social, cultural, environmental and economic impact.”

“This initiative is designed to create lasting change by building a network of trained regional facilitators – ensuring that social enterprise knowledge, skills and momentum continue to grow within communities into the future.”

Social Traders Chief Executive Officer Tara Anderson said:

“It’s fantastic to continue our almost 20-year partnership with the Victorian Government to build a thriving social enterprise sector. This funding will allow us to strengthen Australia’s certification system and unlock more opportunities for social enterprises to access procurement contracts.”

Mallee sheep producers are seeing strong results following a 3-year on-farm demonstration, More Northern Mallee Lambs, focussed on improving reproductive performance in mixed farming systems.

Co-funded with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), the Agriculture Victoria led project commenced in 2023, establishing 3 sites and involving producers across the Mallee from Carwarp to the Murray River to the South Australian border.

Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer Erica Schelfhorst said sheep are now a significant part of Mallee farming systems and participants in the program were eager to learn how to enhance their flock performance and animal health understanding.

‘Entering the project, producers were seeing variable reproduction in their flocks with long joining periods, Autumn lambing and inconsistent pregnancy scanning,’ said Ms Schelfhorst.

Producers involved in the demonstration such as Bec Gowers from Newhaven Farms at Carwarp, saw a significant benefit from moving lambing time to later in the season.

The Gowers moved lambing from April/May to occur in late July, which resulted in ewes having access to more pasture in the paddock, reducing reliance and the cost of supplementary feed and improving lambing outcomes.

Participating farmers were able to customise production goals and improve reproduction rates through the following methods:

• scanning for singles and multiples
• optimising the joining period to 5-6 weeks
• using teasers and the ram effect to enhance lambing percent
• making mob sizes smaller for twin‑bearing ewes
• enhancing nutrition management to match ewe status
• optimising lambing time to suit the growing season with access to high-quality feed such as lupin stubbles around weaning to boost lamb growth and facilitate earlier sale opportunities
• using stock containment areas and fencing to manage smaller lambing mobs and protect pastures during late breaks.

‘Flexibility in decision-making is essential to respond to seasonal variability when integrating livestock with cropping operations,’ Ms Schelfhorst said.

‘Overall, the demonstration showed that later lambing, combined with improved reproductive and nutritional management, can significantly increase scanning and marking rates when conditions allow.

‘It also showed that better alignment between feed supply and animal demand, leads to improved animal welfare, reduced costs and greater resilience in mixed farming systems.’

Ms Schelfhorst said a pleasing outcome from the project’s extension activities is the notable gains in knowledge, skills and confidence of the participating producers.

Overall, the project demonstrated that despite fluctuating seasons, best‑practice management improves the reproductive outcomes of Northern Mallee flocks, particularly when conditions align feed supply with animal demand.

Read more about the project and the results on the More Northern Mallee lambs on the ground page.

The Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) today launched its state election advocacy platform, calling on the Victorian Government to reinstate a long-term Country Roads and Bridges Program for regional Victoria.

GBAC said the program is needed to address growing pressure on council-managed road and bridge networks across western Victoria, where ageing infrastructure, rising freight demand and constrained funding are impacting safety, productivity and economic growth.

The launch was held at Bridge 5 on Avoca–Bealiba Road in Pyrenees Shire – a clear example of the infrastructure challenge being experienced across all six GBAC member councils.

“Bridge 5 reflects a wider issue across regional Victoria that GBAC is highlighting through its state election advocacy,” said GBAC Chair Cr Tracey Hargreaves.

“We are calling for a reinstated long-term Country Roads and Bridges Program that recognises the essential role council-managed networks play in freight, agriculture and connectivity across the state. Across GBAC councils, roads and bridges are under increasing pressure, with funding not keeping pace with need,” she said.

Bridge 5 on Avoca–Bealiba Road was built in 1942 and is currently load-limited to 45-tonnes, restricting access for heavy agricultural and freight vehicles.

This restriction forces heavy vehicles to take a 19-kilometre route compared to the direct 8.8 kilometre route along Avoca–Bealiba Road, increasing travel time, transport costs and inefficiencies for local industry.

It affects nearby businesses and agricultural producers such as Pyrenees Hay and Howell Livestock Transport, which face longer travel times, higher costs and reduced efficiency in moving goods.

Pyrenees Shire Council estimates it would cost $4 million to restore Bridge 5 to full load capacity and improve safety and connectivity.

Councils are responsible for a significant proportion of Victoria’s road network, yet current funding arrangements remain heavily concentrated on state-managed roads, leaving local governments to maintain extensive and essential infrastructure networks with limited resources.

In the lead up to the Victorian State election in November, GBAC is calling for the reinstatement of a long-term Country Roads and Bridges Program, alongside a broader package of state election advocacy priorities aimed at supporting regional growth, infrastructure delivery and local government capacity across western Victoria.

User groups are already benefitting from recently completed netball upgrades at the Kyneton Showgrounds, significantly improving changerooms and amenities for matchdays, training and more.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s Mayor Kate Kendall joined State Member for Macedon Mary-Anne Thomas, user groups, councillors and the broader community on Saturday, May 16 for the official opening of the new facilities, at a Kyneton Football Netball Club home game against Melton Centrals.
The $2.897 million project – funded through a partnership between the Victorian Government ($1.5 million through Sport and Recreation Victoria’s Community Sport and Recreation Grants program) and Council ($1.397 million) – has delivered modern, purpose-built facilities designed to support local sport and encourage greater participation for women and girls.
The multi-stage project included a new pavilion – completed in late 2025 – featuring female-friendly home and away change rooms, an umpires’ change room, first aid room, admin space, storage areas, undercover spectator facilities, and accessible public toilets with baby change amenities.
The redevelopment also delivered 2 new netball courts with perimeter fencing and spectator seating, along with new pathways, accessible parking spaces, a drinking fountain, and upgrades to the adjacent M.B. O’Sullivan Pavilion. Final touches, including court lighting, are also expected to be completed soon.
Mayor Kate Kendall said the project would provide lasting benefits for the growing Kyneton sporting community.
“This marks an exciting milestone for Kyneton and for the many local players, families, volunteers and supporters who advocated for improved netball facilities for generations to come,” she said.
“These facilities are about far more than buildings and courts. They are about creating a safer, more welcoming and more functional environment for community sport.”
Mayor Kendall thanked the Victorian Government, local sporting clubs, and the wider community for helping bring the project to life.
“I’d particularly like to acknowledge the Kyneton Football Netball Club, user groups and community members who remained engaged throughout the project, and helped shape this important community asset,” she said.

Late Night Radio will offer up smooth & elegant jazz  with a trio featuring Jack Pantazis on guitar (plays regularly at Paris Cat), Ben Gibbons on upright bass and Cherie Bridges on vocals at Daylesford Spirit in Vincent Street on Friday, May 29 from 7.30pm.

There are cocktails and a full bar with grazing boards and snacks available. No cover charge.

Gee, the scammers are out there. Or a ghostly tale.
I came across a website that piqued my interest the other day. A store called Hartley Daylesford was having a closing down sale – while they move to bigger premises. This was from their “about” piece.

“Hartley Daylesford started as a small dream on Vincent Street — a cozy (sic)shopfront where we could share the pieces we love with the community we call home. No big plans, no grand ambitions. Just a genuine love for beautiful clothing and a belief that Daylesford deserved a place where style felt personal, not rushed.
“In those early days, we hand-picked every single piece ourselves. We wanted everything on the rack to feel like something we’d wear — comfortable, thoughtful, and made to last longer than a single season. It was never about chasing trends. It was about finding pieces that make you feel like yourself, only a little more put-together.
“What happened next took us by surprise. Regulars turned into friends. Weekend visitors became loyal customers who’d message us asking to hold something before their next trip down. Word spread beyond Daylesford, and soon, orders were coming in from Melbourne, Sydney, and places we’d never imagined reaching.
“Three years later, we’ve outgrown that tiny shopfront (in the best way possible). The racks are full, the stockroom is bursting at the seams, and we’re finally making the move to a bigger home where we can do what we love — even better.
“This Moving Sale is our way of celebrating that milestone with you. Up to 70% off our most-loved collections, because none of this growth would have happened without your support. Thank you for shopping with us, believing in us, and being part of our story from the very beginning. We can’t wait to welcome you into our new space. With love, The Hartley family.”
Hmmm. I spend a lot of time wandering Vincent Street and have never seen this store so I wrote to them.
“I am going to Daylesford on the weekend. Is your store still open there as well? I read the story about it opening. I would love to meet the family.”
I was surprised when “Emma” wrote back.
“Hi Donna, How exciting that you’re visiting Daylesford this weekend — it’s such a beautiful part of the world! We would have absolutely loved to welcome you in person, but unfortunately our physical store is temporarily closed. We’re currently in the final stages of signing contracts for our brand new location and things are really coming together — so it won’t be long now!
“For a short period, we’re operating online only while we finalise everything behind the scenes. We truly can’t wait to open our doors again and welcome customers like you in person!
“Once our new location is confirmed, we’ll be announcing it on our website and socials straight away — so keep an eye out, you’ll be among the first to know!
“In the meantime, why not have a browse through our collections online? You might find something you love! We hope you have a truly wonderful weekend in Daylesford — it really is a special place! Warm regards, Emma | Customer Support.
“Op dinsdag 12 mei 2026 00:05:37 +02:00, schreef Donna Kelly.”
That last bit is Dutch for Tuesday, May 12, wrote Donna Kelly. Hmmm.
Now I am not implying anything, and I love small businesses, I have one myself, but last year the ACCC warned consumers there are businesses misrepresenting themselves as local businesses, also known as ‘ghost stores’.
“They make false representations that they are local Australian businesses, imminently closing down, and selling high-quality clothing and footwear products, when they are instead based overseas, not imminently closing down, and are drop-shipping low-quality products.
“The ACCC is also aware of complaints about ghost stores refusing to provide refunds, or only offering partial refunds, to consumers who have complained about the inferior quality of the goods compared to the advertised descriptions, or not responding to complaints at all.
“Often ghost stores will share an emotional story on their social media or website that they are a small, locally operated business, needing to close for financial reasons.
“They will claim they are having a ‘closing down sale’ as a result, with all stock heavily discounted and available on a very limited basis. This conduct preys on the empathy of consumers who have a genuine desire to support local businesses, as well as creating a false sense of urgency.”
Wow. This is next level with someone ready to write back to queries. Although the Dutch bit was a little sad. Maybe I should write to them and let them know. Maybe not.
We have fantastic stores and businesses throughout Hepburn Shire, and it would be terrible if people were preying on their passion for their products and serving the community. Don’t stop shopping but please be careful. Just sayin’…