The new RBN comittee, secretary Grace Ingram, RBNadministration assistant Hannah Taylor, president Kate Taylor, vice-president Judith Gledhill, and treasurer Donna Campbell.
Photo by
Daniel Harvey
The Rochester Business Network has wrapped up a landmark year of community projects, successful events and local business wins, with members gathering at its annual meeting to map out bold plans for the year ahead.
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Standout moments included the ongoing success of the Rochester gift card program, encouraging progress on an electric vehicle charging station, and glowing feedback from both the Rochester Mural Festival and the brand-new Sips and Sounds Festival.
Treasurer Donna Campbell reported that the organisation's local gift card program continued to keep money circulating within the town.
"We loaded $48,000 during the year, of which $42,000 have been spent," she said.
The John Atley of the Rochester Mural Festival committee reported that the 2026 event had secured its future following a major financial turnaround and strong community support.
"The 26th year of the festival was achieved with remarkable operational financial success under the stewardship of the newly appointed volunteer committee," Mr Atley said.
A $20,000 grant from the Community Bank Elmore, Lockington and Rochester, together with a revamped sponsorship structure and partnerships with RBN, Sips and Sounds and the Rochester Lions Club, helped strengthen the festival's financial position.
Organisers of the inaugural Sips and Sounds Festival, Hannah Taylor, also described the event as a success, saying businesses across Rochester benefited from increased visitor numbers.
"Anybody who we spoke to business-wise was really, really happy with the result," Ms Taylor reported.
While funding remains the biggest challenge, members voted in favour of separating Sips and Sounds from the Mural Festival weekend, allowing it to develop as a standalone event, likely from November 2027.
The Rochester Business Network thanked its outgoing committee. Pictured are administration assistant Hannah Taylor, treasurer Donna Campbell, secretary Edie May, incoming vice-president Kate Taylor and outgoing president Sanjay Ranchhod.
Photo by
Daniel Harvey
Tourism also remained a major focus throughout the meeting.
Speaking on Rochester's growing reputation as a destination, the silo art committee highlighted the impact public art has had on encouraging visitors to spend more time in town.
"We see it as Rochester's Sydney Harbour Bridge," the committee said.
"We went from people stopping for two minutes... to two hours to two days."
The meeting also heard updates on the redevelopment of the Visit Rochester Victoria website, which will include an online business directory, as well as continued marketing through visitor guides, social media, newspapers and radio.
Rochester's much-anticipated electric vehicle charging station is also moving forward again, with funding secured to get the project back on track.
Campaspe Shire Council is investigating two council-owned sites, the car park near Majors IGA and the car park behind the news agency, before a preferred location is selected.
Once the site is confirmed, the project will move to the quotation stage, with organisers saying additional grant funding may be needed to complete the installation.
Addressing members, Campaspe Shire's director of economic development, tourism and activation, David Hughes, praised the work of local volunteers and business leaders.
"The towns like this live and survive and thrive on the communities that exist within them," Mr Hughes said.
He said council's role was to support rather than lead community initiatives.
"Our role is as facilitator, connector, partner," he said.
The meeting also heard the Rochester Sports Museum will host a health screening machine for a month, following previous screenings that resulted in hundreds of GP referrals.
A new executive committee was also elected to guide the Rochester Business Network over the coming year.
Kate Taylor was elected president, Judith Gledhill was appointed vice-president, Grace Ingram was elected secretary and Donna Campbell was reappointed treasurer.
The new committee will oversee the network's business initiatives, community events and major projects.
