This Week In The Market – 31 August 2021
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| In this week’s Market News: – 1,100 jabs in six days – Your vaccination hub questions answered – Six years of trading at Epping Market News 1,100 jabs in first six days The Melbourne Market vaccination hub has jabbed over 1,100 market users in its first six days of operation. This is an amazing result and testament to the market community’s proactive approach to keeping their loved ones safe and protecting the fresh produce supply chain. We want to make sure we continue to see high numbers of market users come forward to get their vaccination. Austin Health’s presence in the market is a great benefit to our community. We’re able to avoid logging into online booking systems and long queues at max vaccination hubs, as seen on the news. The Vaccination Hub at the market is convenient, simple and one less thing market users need to worry about organising after work. There is a huge demand for Pfizer vaccines in Victoria, with a very limited supply. Therefore, to ensure Austin Health’s continued presence on site, we need maximum utilisation of the Vaccination Hub here at the Market. If you haven’t had your vaccination yet, don’t delay. The Vaccination hub won’t be around for much longer; get your jab today. Melbourne Market Vaccination Hub operating hours Monday, Wednesday and Friday – 3 am to 9 am Tuesday and Thursday – 6 am to 12 pm  Your Vaccination Hub questions answered The MMA and the team at Austin Health have had a few recurring questions about the Vaccination Hub, so we thought we’d answer them below. Still have questions about the COVID-19 vaccination? Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au and we’ll have a medical expert from the team at Austin Health respond to your question. Will I be able to get my second Pfizer jab at the market? The MMA is advocating for the amazing team at Austin Health to return to the site to administer second jabs, but it will depend on demand. The more Market users that roll up their sleeves to get the first jab, the more compelling a reason for the DHHS to send them back to provide second doses. The availability of the Austin Health vaccination team will also depend on whether they are required for vaccine administration in other environments. Regardless, getting your first Pfizer dose at the Melbourne Market will allow you to get your second dose at any other state-run vaccination centre. Our business has a mix of employees, some who regularly attend the market and others who work outside of the market (e.g. retail store, farm). Can I bring those employees without a market access card into the site to receive the vaccination? If your business has employees that support your operations but do not have market access cards, they may be classed as part of the wider ‘market eco system’ and be eligible to receive the vaccine on site. Please contact customer service on 9258 6123 if you would like to discuss vaccinating all employees within your business on-site at the Melbourne Market Vaccination Hub. I don’t have a medicare card, can I get the vaccination? Yes, individuals are still able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine with no Medicare card. Those who are not eligible for Medicare can get proof of their vaccination from the Australian Immunisation Register. Go to www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/news/get-proof-your-covid-19-vaccinations-if-youre-not-eligible-medicare to find out how to receive proof of your vaccination. If you have a Medicare Card, you must bring it with you when getting your COVID-19 vaccination. Have any other questions you’d like answered. Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au and we’ll have a medical expert from the team at Austin Health respond to your question. Keen to see how the process works when you come in for your COVID-19 vaccination? Check out our behind the scenes video so you know what to expect. Post your vaccine picture to social media We’re loving seeing all your vaccination photos on social media. Keep them coming, and if you’ve already had the jab elsewhere, there’s no need to miss out; we’d love to see you take a photo at our selfie wall too! Tag the Melbourne Market and use the hashtags #MelbourneMarketJab and #JabDone, and you can receive a free coffee voucher to use at participating market cafes. Head into Art and Style to pick up your voucher!  In the news… Last week you may have seen coverage of the Melbourne Market Vaccination Hub on the nightly news, heard about it on the radio or read about it in the newspaper. The market community have received some positive PR for playing their part and rolling up their sleeves to get the jab. Thanks to Joe Tresco, Tony Dariol and Kim Driver who all volunteered to get their jabs on camera.  Today marks six years of trade at Epping  Today marks the sixth anniversary of the first day of trade at the Epping site. There has been plenty of development and change in those six years as we continue to make sure the Melbourne Market is a great place to do business. Six years is a significant amount of time, but it pales compared to the longevity of our gold card members. The MMA had hoped to use the occasion of our Epping 6th anniversary for the official launch of our 40-year celebration wall; however, with current stage 4 restrictions in place, a gathering of people is not possible. We will still be marking the installation of the celebration wall and honouring the newest gold card inductees with a special video. So keep an eye out in the coming weeks. Picture: Taken during construction, October 2012. Vale Tony Mammone  The MMA and Market community offer condolences to the family of Tony Mammone, who passed away on the 22nd of August. Tony was a well-known member of the Market Community who had been part of the industry all of his working life. Tony worked for several businesses on the trading floor and was well-liked by Victorian growers. He was known as someone who always went the extra mile for his friends and customers. RIP, Tony Certificate III intake commencing in September With generous funding options and flexible delivery, there’s never been a better time to upskill your staff. The next Certificate III in Greengrocery intake is starting in September, so don’t delay; email theresa.hunt@melbournemarket.com.au to find out more. Garden of Eden owner Paul Walters has a little more time to spend on other parts of his business now that employee Elliott Roache has taken on more responsibilities around the Colac fruit shop. Elliott is six months into the Certificate III in Greengrocery run by Melbourne Polytechnic, and the results are showing. “He is more confident… whether that be specifically from the course, or he’s just growing in confidence within our organization, it could be a combination of both, but I’m certainly impressed with the stuff that he’s learning,” he said. Having previously worked as a casual through high school, and then transitioning to full-time work at the store during his gap year, Paul offered Elliott the opportunity to take the course and get a recognized qualification for his efforts. “It’s excellent, the course is well set up, it’s structured well, they communicate well, I couldn’t be happier,” he said. Elliott says his knowledge about the industry has definitely increased since starting the course. While the skills he was learning weren’t entirely new to him because of his hands-on experience working in-store, it allowed him to explore them in greater depth with this teacher, he said. Paul is already planning to send more of his employees to take part in the course when the current group of students finish in three months. “I’ll have no hesitation putting a couple of other boys through it in the next couple of years, no problem. ”Upcoming advisory committee meetings The next advisory meetings are scheduled for September 7th and 8th, and although the meetings will need to be conducted online during stage 4 restrictions, 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 meetings next week. M80 upgrade road closures  The M80 Ring Road Greensborough-bound ramp to the Hume Freeway will be closed from 9pm, Wednesday 1 September to 5am, Thursday 2 September. Detours will be in place. Industry News Ag Visa to be in place by September The Australian federal government has announced the highly sought-after agriculture visa will be in place by the end of September. Leader of The Nationals and deputy Prime Minister, Barnaby Joyce, along with deputy leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud said they were proud to deliver the ag visa for Australia’s horticulture industry. “The agriculture visa delivers what so many primary producers are crying out for,” said Joyce. “It will give regional Australia the workers they need to get produce to plate in Australia, as well as our export markets.“The agriculture visa will be in place no later than 30 September this year, with the full implementation of this demand-driven visa complete within 3 years.” Read more on Produce Plus. Melbourne Market Job Board  Do you have a vacancy to fill in your business? Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au for the position to be placed on our online job board. Looking for a new role? Check out the online job board via the button below. View full online job board TEMPORARY STORE ADMINISTRATION CLERK (6 MONTHS) – TEN FARMS We are looking for an enthusiastic person to fill a temporary position for six months. Monday – Friday 3 am – 9 am For more details and how to apply click here. MARKET BUYER – THE ORGANIC PLACE We are looking to have someone collect our produce from Organic Growers Group, Melba Fresh Organics and Biodynamic Marketing each Thursday and bring it back to our Melton warehouse by 6am. For more details and how to apply click here. OFFICE PERSON (PART TIME) – DYKES BROS Dykes Bros Pty Limited is seeking to employ a part-time Accounts Payable/Receivable person to join our friendly team at the Melbourne Market in Epping. For more details and how to apply click here. FRESH PRODUCE BUYER – SCICLUNA’S A rare opportunity has arisen to join Scicluna’s Real Food Merchants at the Melbourne Produce Market in Epping in this key position as Fresh Produce Buyer.You will work early morning shift and be responsible for buying fresh produce for our wholesale business.For more details on this or to apply, please visit https://www.seek.com.au/job/53254945 Ask the MMA If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. Follow us  |
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