Georgia Tacey caught up with the new president of the Sunbury Business Association Elizabeth Homann about what she loves about the town and her new role.
What’s your connection to Sunbury? How long have you lived in the area for?
I grew up in Sunbury and it’s where I raised my kids. My parents moved here when I was six months old, and aside from three years away at university, I’ve lived here almost my whole life. I live and work locally, run my business here, and I’m deeply involved in the local business and community networks. It’s a place where I’ve built strong connections, both personally and professionally.
What do you like about where you live?
I love that Sunbury is close enough to Melbourne to be convenient, but far enough away that a short drive has you out in the country. You get the best of both worlds – city access without city chaos. What really stands out though is the sense of community in Sunbury. It still has that country-town feel where people look out for each other, but with the energy and potential of a growing town. There’s a real pride here, and you see it in our local businesses, events, and community groups.
Is there anything you’d change or like to see in Sunbury?
There are a few things I’d love to see improved. I’d like our police station to be manned 24 hours a day, and I’d love to see more health services locally – particularly a hospital. I’d also love to see the power lines in the older part of town put underground, which would avoid the need for such heavy pruning of our beautiful old trees and help preserve the character of those streets.
Where’s your favourite local place to spend time?
Apart from my home, it would have to be our local restaurants. Now that my husband and I are empty nesters, we really enjoy getting out and supporting local hospitality.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
Before I became a numbers nerd, I was actually a science geek – I used to make blood products, which often surprises people.
Tell us a bit about your role at the Sunbury Business Association and what you enjoy most about it.
I’ve been on the Sunbury Business Association committee for seven years, serving as treasurer, and in November I stepped into the role of president. I genuinely love being involved in my community and supporting local businesses – especially seeing the connections, collaborations, and confidence that grow when businesses back each other.
What’s happening this year with the Sunbury Business Association?
There’s a lot happening this year, and it’s shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. Our International Women’s Day event on 11 March promises to be even more spectacular than last year, hosted in the beautifully renovated former women’s asylum at Jackson’s Hill, now known as Artrise. Our After 5: Chill and Connect networking event has a fresh new home and time – now happening on the first Thursday of every month at the cocktail bar at Vic’s Food and Wine on O’Shanassy Street, starting at 5.15 pm. It’s the perfect excuse to stop by on the way home from work! We’ve partnered with Deakin University to deliver a range of practical business workshops and education sessions, designed to give local business owners hands-on guidance for running and growing their businesses.
Also, stay tuned for exciting updates on our Twilight Market – more details are coming soon! No matter the size of your business, whether you run it from home or have a shopfront, the Sunbury Business Association is your local support network. It’s a place to connect, collaborate, learn, and be seen – whether you’re looking for practical guidance, new partnerships, or just a bit of inspiration from other local business owners. Joining isn’t just about events; it’s about being part of a community that genuinely wants you and your business to succeed.
