By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THE Casey Cardinia Business Hub supports dreams.
This is how Waterman Business Centres Director Neville Waterman surmised the purpose of the new Narre Warren facility, established in partnership with Waterman Business Centres and designed to act as a central facility for Casey and Cardinia businesses to collaborate with and support each other.
Speaking at the hub’s launch last Thursday morning, Mr Waterman recounted his recent experience with one of the businesses that was already accessing the new facility, illustraing its benefits.
“There was a business here that came in about two months ago, two ladies who have been in corporate work and have never run businesses before but they have been planning and developing this and it was an exciting big move for them,” Mr Waterman said.
“They got their access on the Friday and then on the Saturday I happened to walk past their office.
“Now we hadn’t furnished it, we hadn’t put anything in there but they had gone and put this little sign in there that said ‘dream’.
“And when I stopped and saw that I got a bit emotional, I had conversations with these people and I knew what it meant to them.
“I went and sat down and it struck me that this is what we do – what we do at the Casey Cardinia Hub is we support dreams.
“Every single small business all has a dream.”
City of Casey Manager Economic Development and Strategic Development David Wilkinson was instrumental in setting up the partnership with Waterman Business Centres, and emceed the opening.
A host of guests also attended the event, including Small Business Minister Russell Northe, City of Casey CEO Mike Tyler, Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett and Casey councillors Louise Berkelmans, Amanda Stapledon, Susan Serey and Sam Aziz.
Mr Northe, who before entering Parliament was a small business manager in Morwell, said the Casey Cardinia Business Hub (CCBH) was an innovative facility and would be a valuable asset to the community.
“I wanted to convey to the audience this morning that I do understand implicitly some of the challenges that exist with small businesses, I understand some of the opportunities,” he said.
“And I understand implicitly that it’s a fact that people have an idea, they have a concept, they have a dream that they are trying to realise.”
Mayor Geoff Ablett said the council and Waterman Business Centres hoped no less than 500 businesses within the Casey and Cardinia regions would ultimately gain access to the CCBH.
“Council believes that prosperous, healthy businesses create more employment opportunities – meaning more local jobs for local people,” he said.
“The Casey Cardinia region is home to a workforce of 156,000 residents, with 73 per cent of these skilled workers leaving the region every day to go to work.”
The Casey Cardinia Business Hub is located at 64 Victor Crescent, Narre Warren.
For more information and memberships, visit www.ccbh.com.au, or contact the CCBH by calling 9876 5432 or emailing info@ccbh.com.au.
