Flower Market Circular – 21 May 2020

We’ve had a great response to the marketing campaign the MMA developed with Flowers Vic in the lead up to Mother’s Day.
The campaign is still running on social media platforms for the next few weeks, encouraging people to say it with flowers, and buy from your local florist, when you can’t be there in person.
Make sure to jump on the Melbourne Market, or Flowers Vic, social platforms to give the campaign a ‘like’ and a ‘share’.

By now, you would have heard plenty in the media regarding the COVIDSafe app.
The COVIDSafe app allows the government to speed up the time taken to contact people who have been exposed to coronavirus (COVID-19) and will enable the government to find and contain outbreaks quickly.  With your privacy protected by law, COVIDSafe keeps a secure note of other users you’ve been near, so, if they test positive for coronavirus, you’ll be notified, helping you to keep your own family, friends and work colleagues safe.
The new COVIDSafe app is entirely voluntary, but the more Australians who connect to the COVIDSafe app, the quicker the government can locate and contain any virus outbreaks.

Conducting temperature screening at the entry gates is a new process for the Market, and it continues to run smoothly, helping keep Market users safe.
There has been feedback from truck drivers, that climbing down from the cabin to have their temperature screening done is inconvenient.
While we agree that temperature screening can at times be inconvenient, it is mandatory for every person entering the Market.
There has been a suggestion to include ladders for temperature screening personal, allowing them to be raised to the height of the truck cabin. However, after investigation, the potential injury risk by having individuals working from heights does not make it a practical solution.
Truck drivers that cannot be reached by the temperature screeners from the ground, will need to continue to climb down from their truck cabin to have their temperature screening completed. We thank you for your cooperation in keeping the Market safe.

The next advisory meetings are scheduled for June, and while the format of the meetings may be a little different, with the need to use technology to adhere to social distancing guidelines, they will still go ahead.
Speaking to your advisory committee members is an effective way you can raise key issues with the MMA.
To find out who your advisory committee members are, click here, and talk to them about the Market issues that affect you before the next meetings in June.

Always wanted to visit the Chelsea Flower Show, but haven’t been able to make it to the UK? Well, this year the world’s greatest flower show is going online. The Chelsea Flower Show usually takes place annually at London’s Royal Hospital Chelsea, but because of the COVID-19 crisis, it has been cancelled to visitors for the first time since World War II.
Each day will follow a different theme with new content, including garden tours, design tips and “how-to” demonstrations being posted online.
The online flower show will be held until Saturday 23 May, so click here to check it out for yourself.

We have reality shows about baking, real estate, lego and more, so it was only a matter of time before flowers were thrown into the mix.
Enter ‘The Big Flower Fight’, the new Netflix show with all the elements of a wholesome competition show, but with a bit more edge.
The series has contestants from all over the world, and each week they are tasked with creating huge floral structures – from eight-foot insects to couture gowns.
Read more about the show on BBC News or check it out for yourself on Netflix.

The Market will be closed on Monday 8 June for the Queen’s Birthday public holiday.
If your parking permit only allows access on a day that falls on a public holiday, and you would like to come to the Market on an alternative adjacent day, you will not be charged for parking and can enter the Market. However, your regular bay may not be available. Please see a Market Relations Officer on arrival for instruction.

And speaking of the Queen, while the coronavirus pandemic means visitors aren’t able to enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show in person, members of the royal family have still celebrated the event by sharing their favourite blooms. Click here to see the favourite flowers of The Queen, Prince Charles and Co.

Many businesses and government organisations are holding webinars and short courses to keep you informed about the latest impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, and what your business can do to succeed during this time. See a selection of webinars and courses that may be of benefit to your business, listed below.

City of Whittlesea business webinars
City of Whittlesea has provided a range of free webinars over the last weeks from cashflow, mental health and marketing. You can view all their past webinars via their YouTube channel.

Tax support for small business
Delivered by the Australian Taxation Office, this 60-minute webinar provides information on how the Government’s stimulus package can help your small business. Click here for more details.

The COVID-19 Industry Response Program
This 12-week online program, delivered by LaTrobe University, is designed to help businesses adapt and innovate in the face of unprecedented change. The program is designed to give business owners the mindset, resources and community they need to succeed. This free program is delivered 100% online with real-time workshops, expert mentoring and online learning. Click here for more details