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Latrobe City Business Festival returns with a focus on jobs, innovation and growth

Posted on by laura Brooker

Latrobe City Council, with support from Regional Development Victoria, is inviting local businesses, employers, job seekers, students and industry partners to connect, learn and explore opportunities as part of the exciting 2026 Latrobe City Business Festival.

Running from Wednesday 14 October to Friday 23 October 2026, the festival will bring together a diverse range of free events including jobs expo, breakfast events, workshops, panel discussions and professional development opportunities across Latrobe City.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Sharon Gibson said the festival was an important opportunity to provide development and networking opportunities and create connections across the region.

“The Business Festival gives local businesses a chance to get together, hear from people with useful experience and pick up ideas they can put into action,” Cr Gibson said.

“This year’s program is focused on the things I hear business owners talking about all the time, including finding the right people, using new technology, creating safer retail areas, building inclusive workplaces and business planning.

“Go along to any of the events that interest you, meet new people and learn something new.”

The festival opens with the Jobs Expo on Wednesday 14 October at Moe Town Hall, connecting employers, job seekers, training providers and workforce support services.

The program continues with four breakfast sessions, a futurist keynote presentation, a practical AI workshop and professional development opportunities, before concluding with the Latrobe City Business Chamber People’s Choice Awards on Friday 23 October.

Community members, businesses and professionals are encouraged to view the program, register for events and share opportunities with colleagues, staff and professional networks. All events are free, but spots are limited, so registrations are essential.

Learn more at: latrobecity.com.au/work/businessfestival

Key events

Latrobe City Jobs Expo
Wednesday 14 October 2026 | Moe Town Hall
7.30am – 9am

Breakfast Series one: The Talent Table (Youth Panel)
Thursday 15 October 2026 | MOMO, Traralgon
7.30am – 9am

Future Ready Business: Simon Waller Keynote
Thursday 15 October 2026 | Crown (Phelans Room), Traralgon
6pm – 8.30pm

Breakfast Series two: Safe Shops, Strong Business
Monday 19 October 2026 | Twenty20, Moe
7.30am – 8.45am

Breakfast Series three: Women, Work and AI
Tuesday 20 October 2026 | Café Qu Bah, Morwell
7.30am – 8.45am

Workshop: Practical AI for Real Business Impact
Tuesday 20 October 2026 | Morwell Innovation Centre
9am – 12noon

Turning Inclusive Employment into Business Advantage
Wednesday 21 October 2026 | Morwell Innovation Centre
9am – 4pm
Partnering with Gippsland Multicultural Services

Breakfast Series four: Coffee and Compliance – Navigating New Tax Reforms
Thursday 22 October 2026 | Mantra, Traralgon
7.30am – 8.45am

People’s Choice Awards
Friday 23 October 2026 | Moe Racing Club
Evening event, time to be released

Sumo Skate

Posted on by ACE

The opening of the upgraded skate park in Moe has attracted new business ventures to the town, such as Sumo Skate Store.

Situated in George Street, Sumo Skate Store opened its doors to skating enthusiasts in early October, 2023. The shop made its grand entrance with a pop-up store and paint your own deck workshop which got the community creative with decorating their own blank skateboards.

Owner Pascal Fullerton, who moved to the area 13 years ago from England, said the skating community is growing in Moe.

“I think it’s slowly growing; we’ve had kids come down from Maffra, Sale and Warragul. They are coming from all over the place to skate at the park and coming in to see what we have at the shop.” Pascal said. “We’ve also seen people in their thirties and above coming out, getting a skateboard and having a go at the park.”

A wide array of skating equipment is available at the store to cater for every need, such as skateboards, clothing, roller skates and scooters. Pascal said keeping items such as these helps create a thriving skating community.

“If you need or want something the only access to that is through the internet, and sometimes you have to wait five or 10 days for something, whereas now you can just walk across the street!” he said. “Our store also provides a little hub for kids to fix up their scooters. We help them keep their stuff together and keep them rolling.”

The 51-year old father dreamed of opening a skate shop to help young people get off their phones and find a community.

“Skating is good for people and mental health because it creates a space where everyone can help each other and teach one another,” he said. “It’s also a great way to get the younger kids involved especially when they see the older ones getting out there.”

“The skating community is all about sharing knowledge and acceptance of everyone. There’s a lot of ‘we’ involved and looking out for your mates. That’s what helps us keep going.”

As for future goals, Pascal hopes more people from across the Latrobe City will try out skating in Moe and be part of something bigger.

“Skating is not just about doing fancy tricks. It is also about falling and getting back up, which I think relates to life. We all need someone to help pick us up when we fall.”

“And that’s what skateboarding can teach you. You may fall but you get back up and just keep rolling!”


Read more: Sumo Skate