If you own or are in partnership in an established successful business, run a small business from home, are an accommodation provider, farmer or have an online business or are thinking of starting a small business, we would love you to join us at Lake Oberon Estate, 167 Harvey's Road Oberon overlooking the beautiful Lake Oberon commencing at 6pm.

This is a free fully catered event for Oberon women and will be run under COVID safe guidelines.

The keynote speaker at the launch will be Simmone Logue, successful businesswoman, chef and author with a strong local connection being joint owner of Essington Park with her artist sister Joanna Logue. Simmone is excited about the CROWN project and is keen to play a role at the launch.

The aim of the CROWN Group is to support and mentor local businesswomen, host workshops around common issues, share experience and experiences, encourage women to start a new business or grow an existing one or just to relax with your peers and be included.

Juggling a business, managing a home and growing a family is not easy, sometimes just to talk to someone doing similar things can help. Many successful Oberon businesswomen will have advice and tips they can pass on. We know that women thrive when their environment is supportive.

In 2020 Oberon Council sponsored six local businesswomen to participate in the "The Seed Scheme", an exciting female-focused, rural based, blended delivery enterprise and leadership development program delivered by The Rural Woman.

Part incubator, part business school, part leadership program and part life-academy, this scheme brings together geographically diverse women who want to grow an existing business or new idea providing a unique and supportive environment in which to bloom.

The Seed Scheme begins with a eight-week activation programme, covering the fundamentals of business and laying the foundation for growth.

Local businesswoman Rachel Anagnostopoulos successfully applied to The Rural Woman to bring The Seed Scheme to Oberon. From this initiative the Oberon POD was formed.

During the eight-week program POD Members decided as a project, to form a support network for the business women in our LGA.

Oberon Council values the role of business in our community and wholeheartedly support this concept and are funding the launch through a grant stream.

Members have developed a Facebook page which is now live and will be officially introduced as part of the launch. Invitations to the launch will be sent to as many women as we can identify that are involved in a business, but we may not know about your particular business.

If you would like be involved, get further information or just come along to the launch for a "look see" you would be most welcome. Please contact Sharon Swannell at council to reserve a place at this free event sharon.swannell@oberon.nsw.gov.au or 6329 8151.

We are a small community and the need to support each other, share skills and have a little fun along the way is important. Please join us.