Alpine Shire Business Mentoring Program
Alpine Shire Council is offering a targeted Business Mentoring Program for small businesses across the Alpine Shire, funded by Regional Development Victoria in response to the Porepunkah security incident. This initiative is open to small businesses operating within the Shire and is designed to provide practical, confidential support to help strengthen operations, restore confidence, and plan for the future.
Community Business Connect has been engaged by Alpine Shire to deliver the program locally. Through this dedicated webpage, participating businesses will be able to review a panel of experienced advisors and select the one-on-one mentoring support that best suits their needs. Assistance may include business planning, financial capability, marketing strategy, digital improvement, and operational review, with sessions tailored to each business and focused on clear, achievable outcomes.
As a locally embedded social enterprise within the AgBiz Assist Group, Community Business Connect understands the realities of running a business in the Alpine Shire. Our advisors live and work in the region, bringing practical experience and local knowledge to ensure support is relevant, responsive, and grounded in the needs of the community.
Eligible small businesses in the Alpine Shire are encouraged to register their interest and connect with an advisor.
Select from our Panel of Small Business Advisors
“Local advisors with real business experience are available to provide practical one-on-one mentoring. Review the profiles below and select the advisor whose experience best matches your needs.”
Jan Barned,CPA,
Jan Barned
Small Business and Financial Specialist | CPA
Jan Barned is one of Australia’s most respected small business specialists, with more than 25 years’ experience working with businesses from start-ups through to established multi million dollar enterprises. A CPA and award winning author, Jan has written hundreds of publications helping business owners understand the practical steps required to run a successful and financially sustainable business.
Help for your Business
Jan works with business owners who want clearer direction and greater confidence in their financial position. Her mentoring focuses on simplifying business challenges, improving financial understanding, and helping owners make informed decisions that strengthen both their business and work life balance.
Areas of Support
• Understanding your business financial position
• Cashflow and financial management
• Business planning and decision making
• Strengthening business systems and operations
Melissa Antony
Business Strategy and Marketing Advisor
Melissa Antony is a business and project specialist who relocated to North East Victoria from Adelaide more than a decade ago. Her diverse career spans international hospitality, viticulture, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Melissa held senior roles with global hotel groups before launching and successfully exiting her own catering business, giving her practical, first-hand experience in building and running a small business.
Help for your Business
Melissa works with business owners who want clearer direction, stronger marketing, and practical strategies to move their business forward. She is known for helping businesses bring clarity to complex challenges and developing achievable action plans that balance creative thinking with strong operational focus.
Areas of Support
• Business strategy and project planning
• Marketing review and practical action planning
• Strengthening brand positioning and customer engagement
• Navigating change and identifying new opportunities
Warwick Philpott
Business, Finance and Property Advisor
Warwick Philpott is a highly experienced professional with more than 30 years working across the property, finance, and business sectors in three Australian states. A Fellow of both the Australian Property Institute and the Australasian Financial Services Institute, Warwick has built a strong reputation for helping businesses navigate complex challenges with practical and strategic guidance.
Help for your Business
Warwick works with business owners who want clear direction when dealing with complex business, financial, or operational decisions. He combines strategic insight with practical, hands-on support to help businesses strengthen their position and make confident decisions about their future.
Areas of Support
• Business strategy and decision making
• Financial and operational review
• Property and asset considerations within business
• Navigating change and improving business performance
Jackie Morgan
Business Development, Marketing and Digital Strategy Advisor
About
Jackie is a business development and engagement specialist with more than 20 years of experience working across regional development, small business ecosystems, and community-based initiatives.
Jackie has held leadership roles across tourism, hospitality, membership organisations, and economic development, managing strategic plans, marketing initiatives, and major funding programs. Alongside her program delivery work, she has developed strong expertise in digital marketing, website development, and search engine optimisation, helping businesses improve their online presence and connect more effectively with customers.
Help for your Business
Jackie works with business owners who want to clarify their direction, strengthen their marketing, and make better use of digital tools to grow their business. Her mentoring focuses on practical steps that improve visibility, strengthen customer engagement, and ensure businesses have the right digital foundations to support long term growth.
Areas of Support
• Business development and growth planning
• Marketing strategy and customer engagement
• Website review, development and SEO improvement
• Strengthening digital presence and online visibility
Dan Fewster
Technology and Digital Strategy Advisor
Dan Fewster brings more than 25 years of experience as a qualified, multi award winning, Technology Manager and Business Development professional. Throughout his career he has worked with commercial organisations, government operators, and community service providers, helping them use technology to improve capability and achieve long-term success.
Help for your Business
Dan works with businesses that want to leverage technology to drive efficiencies while supporting their operations and future growth. His mentoring focuses on helping business owners simplify their digital systems, make informed, strategic technology decisions, and ensure their IT investments are practical, cost effective, and fit for purpose.
Areas of Support
• Technology and digital capability reviews
• Cyber security/AI awareness and risk reduction
• Business systems and strategic technology planning
• Leveraging technology to improve efficiency and growth
• Technology governance and oversight
Clint Kilday
IT and Technology Support Advisor
About
Clint Kilday is an experienced IT professional with more than 20 years working in corporate IT sales, technical support, and account management. Raised in Albury-Wodonga, Clint developed an early interest in technology that has grown into a career focused on helping businesses solve problems and improve how their systems work.
Help for your Business
Clint works with businesses that want their technology to be reliable, secure, and easy to use. He is known for translating complex technical issues into clear, practical solutions that help business owners improve efficiency and reduce technology frustrations.
Areas of Support
• Technology systems review and improvement
• IT troubleshooting and practical solutions
• Cyber security awareness and risk reduction
• Improving business efficiency through better technology use
Book to meet with our Small Business Advisors
Community Business Connect is part of the AgBiz Group.
