General News
22 July, 2025
Open for business
A collective of Halls Gap business owners has taken the first steps toward establishing a local business association, with a successful workshop drawing strong interest from across the area.
The recent workshop, attended by 23 local business representatives, marked the beginning of a process to define the structure, purpose and direction of a Halls Gap and surrounds Business Association.
Funded by the Northern Grampians Shire Bushfire Recovery Grant Program, the workshop provided an opportunity for business owners to explore operating models, governance frameworks and shared goals.
Adrian Manikas, Managing Director of Absolute Outdoors, said the association’s formation has two key aims.
“There are a couple of key purposes behind it. The big ones are advocacy and whether it's local council, state or federal government, getting a bigger and united voice for businesses in the town to talk about issues and get more support and make the challenges more known.
“Internally, it's to build a more resilient business community so that when natural disasters happen, we can be more resilient, more effective and by doing that, we’re hoping to increase networking and collaboration and opportunities between businesses,” he said.
While Halls Gap is widely known as a tourist destination, Mr Manikas noted the association aims to be inclusive of all industries contributing to the town’s ‘micro economy,’ not just tourism.
“It was pretty evident with a lot of the early discussions that it wasn't just about tourism either. It was encompassing any industry. At this stage we aren't looking drawing any hard lines on maps but it’s all around the economic activity being based in Halls Gap, we are open to people looking to join from outside if they have that economic connection” he said.
Business owners like Damon Henricksen, of Flame Brothers and Barney’s Bar and Bistro, see strength in unity, with businesses suffering the most post fire the need for a united business group was evident.
“This is to be more based on the businesses, as the main focus is not tourism or marketing areas more how business can help businesses to grow and invest and learn,” he said.
The group is also focused on sharing resources, learning from other business associations and boosting local collaboration.
Newcomer Dean Sibthorp, of Block and Cleaver said he’s eager to tap into local knowledge.
“I want to draw on everybody else's expertise and try to gain as much information from them as possible to keep the region growing,” he said.
While still in its early stages, the Halls Gap business community is hopeful this new association will become a powerful voice for local enterprise.
For more information or to get involved, contact Rohan Gow at rohan.gow@ngshire.vic.gov.au.
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