Hume City Recognises Small Business Training
29 June 2006
Some of the BEC team
Tim Cremean, Kangan Batman TAFE's Business Enterprise Centre Manager, has spent the last 13 years developing and celebrating the achievements of small business owners.
On June 22, it was Tim's turn to be recognised, having been awarded for his work in the 'Development and Support of Small Business' at the Hume Business Awards, held at the Hilton Melbourne Airport.
Working in partnership with the Hume City Council, Tim has provided training, networking opportunities and a Business Counseling service for small business. He conducts monthly small business information sessions at the Hume Global Learning Centre on behalf of Hume City Council.
'I was very surprised to hear that I won-it was totally unexpected,' said Tim. 'Small business is a growing part of the economy, so I'm extremely happy to be helping people grow their ideas for business.'
Tim described his career as 'mixed,' having run his own accountancy firm and teaching taxation before becoming the Business Enterprise Centre's Manager. Kangan Batman TAFE's Business Enterprise Centre services Melbourne's inner, western and north-western suburbs, from nine locations-Essendon, Richmond, Deer Park, Moreland, Fitzroy, Werribee, Melton, Sunbury and Broadmeadows.
'Even though it was my name on the Hume City award, I give full credit to the staff of the Business Enterprise Centre. With their combined expertise, the BEC has helped thousands of small business owners equip themselves to be self-employed,' said Tim.
One of those successful small businesses Tim has helped develop, Olive Hill Estate, also received a Hume City award for contributions to Tourism in Hume City.
'It was just rewarding to see all our hard work appreciated that way,' said Jenay Flint, who owns the Redstone Hill property with her husband, Spencer.
Spencer and Jenay bought the 80 acre property in 2000 in a state of disarray, without power or running water. The property had 350 olive trees and had panoramic view of Mount Macedon, the Dandenongs, and the You Yangs in the west.
Today, Olive Hill Estate has over 3000 trees, all fed by an environmentally sustainable system. The first sizable harvest was in June 2003, where 600 bottles of quality extra virgin Australian olive oil was produced. In 2005, The Olive Branch Café 90-seat restaurant opened, on the second floor of the building, above the olive processing centre.
'Spencer came to us for training in business planning,' said Tim. 'And I instantly knew that Olive Hill Estate had the potential to link in with the Macedon Ranges tourism business.'
While Tim considers the Hume City award to be one of his major achievements, the screening of a television show called Your Business Success on Channel 9, Sunday morning 27 August is something he is also looking forward to.
'This is going to be a one-off, half hour program profiling the businesses that we're worked with, as well as some of Kangan Batman TAFE's educators,' said Tim.
To find out more about the Kangan Batman TAFE's Business Enterprise Centre, visit www.kangan.edu.au/bec or phone 13 TAFE.
For more information on Olive Hill Estate, visit www.olivehillestate.com or phone 9744 6633. The Estate caters to functions, receptions, weddings and group bookings of over 30 only.
