Publications

---

EDRA celebrated 10 years at our 2024 AGM. We reflect how the local business community has significantly grown, paralleled by increased visitors to our region. The report highlights some of the activities over this year an passed years.

EDRA delivered promotion, networking, training & advocacy for its members in 2022/23. We advanced our advocacy efforts for a Green Wedge Management Plan for the region, completed the essential small business webinars and ran the first volunteer group Expo.

Choose one or all nine webinars. These webinars are being presented by experts in their field and are free to members to assist with business & marketing issues businesses face in today's business climate.

Business insights into the impacts of the pandemic assisted additional State funding support for business & trader groups and allowed us to run face-to-face skills workshops and produce 13 marketing webinars to support our members.

Business continued to adapt their products & services to address the on & off COVID restrictions. A Dept of Jobs, Precincts & Regions grant supported a "Get your fill in the Hills" Shop Local campaign, Visitor Information Map.

A tough year for all business. Online  support including training in cyber security, the walking trail opened, video was finished & we had a successful Christmas traders promotion & event.

Our first year getting support from Cardinia Council. Business Breakfasts, print promotions, familiarisations and planning our first promotional video for the region.

Works on the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail started & our Christmas trading included 12 gnomes in hiding.

Our A3 Find Me in the Hills tear-off Maps, Art in the Garden event & the Longest Lunch at The Independent Gembrook all took place in 2017.

We opened and ran a volunteer managed Visitor Information Centre at Puffing Billy Emerald Station.

EDRA first formed on the 26th June 2014 and during this reporting period we managed & produced The Local Voice Newspaper.