Buy | Employ | Enjoy Local
Published on 13 July 2021
We all know that the Yarra Ranges is the best place to live, work and play, and perhaps no time has this been more evident than over the past 18 months. The incredible Yarra Ranges spirit shone with communities coming together to support each other and we spent more time closer to home, exploring our local surrounds and making new discoveries.
As we look to recover from the impacts of the pandemic and the recent storm and flood events, now more than ever it’s time to celebrate all that our wonderful region has to offer and to look for ways to continue to support local.
Buy |Employ |Enjoy Local is a Yarra Ranges Council initiative designed to put our community front and centre of our recovery efforts and daily life. We want to showcase everything we have right here in our own backyards. Did you know we have over 400 hairdressers in the Yarra Ranges? Or more than 22 local galleries? From dentists to florists, new cars to second-hand books, butchers, bakers and even candle makers – you can find what you’re looking for right here in the Yarra Ranges.
Local businesses play a huge part in our communities. They keep our high streets thriving, give us the convenience of popping to the shops, and the thrill of finding something unique. They employ our family, friends and neighbours, support local schools and sponsor community groups. When challenges confront our community – be it pandemic, storm or flood – we’ve seen them at the forefront of relief efforts, raising money, providing food, coffee or a warm place to sit and recharge, even as their own livelihoods are impacted. Now it’s our turn to give back to them by choosing to Buy Local whenever you can.
To help local businesses to Employ Local, we’re launching the Yarra Ranges JobLink - an online employment portal for those who want to live and work local. It’s free for both employers and jobseekers to sign up, and helps connect prospective employees with local employers.
For those looking to develop an exciting career in our vibrant hospitality and tourism industry, our Hospitality Jump Start for Jobs training programs are free for locals looking to gain professional skills and employment. Run in conjunction with our partners Cire Training and Box Hill Institute Lilydale, students are also connected to hospitality businesses looking for qualified staff.
When it comes to Enjoying Local, Yarra Ranges has something for everyone. From our pristine natural environment teeming with forests, rivers, lush valleys and wildlife, to our 55 unique townships, every pocket of Yarra Ranges has something to discover and enjoy. Why not try a new playground or swimming pool, hiking or bike path, or perhaps a library or sporting facility? Keep an eye out for new Parklets popping up in townships across Yarra Ranges too. The parklets are happy relaxed places to catch up with friends over coffee, or just sit in the sun and enjoy a book. They’re designed to help reinvigorate communities – and you might even discover new favourite artworks created by local artists!
Across the year, the Yarra Ranges host hundreds of events celebrating all the region has to offer. Think art, food, wine, flowers, gardens, fun runs, markets – there really is something for everyone. And whilst winter may be dreary in other parts of the world, it is what we do best. Watch the mist lift over the valleys on crisp winter’s morning walk or enjoy a cosy evening by the fire at your neighbourhood pub or café. This winter, stay close and Enjoy Local.
Keep an eye out for our banners, window stickers, footpath decals and Buy Local bags rolling out across our beautiful region. We’ve been kind to others, to business and to ourselves, let’s continue to show our support, and Buy, Employ and Enjoy Local in the Yarra Ranges.