Briefing for local partners
Heart of Ivanhoe
Recognising the businesses that make Ivanhoe feel like home.
A concise overview of the Community Business Award 2026, how it will work, and how local partners can help shape and share it.
- Prize
- In-kind Digital Growth Package
- Campaign area
- Ivanhoe & Ivanhoe East, VIC 3079
- Status
- In development — pre-launch
01 · The initiative
A community recognition initiative
Heart of Ivanhoe is being developed by Ivanhoe-based digital agency Digital Sanctum.
It invites local residents to share stories about Ivanhoe and Ivanhoe East businesses that demonstrate genuine customer care, contribute to their community, and create the small experiences that make a neighbourhood feel like home.
02 · How it works
Stories first, not nomination counts
Residents nominate an eligible local business and tell us what that business has done to deserve recognition.
Nominations are moderated rather than displayed as a popularity leaderboard. Nomination counts do not determine the result.
A shortlist of up to five finalists will be assessed against a published judging framework.
- Customer care
- Community contribution
- Surprise & delight
- Ethical business practice
- Transformational fit
Judging panel
The panel will comprise one Digital Sanctum representative and two independent judges.
03 · The prize
An in-kind Digital Growth Package
Digital Sanctum will fund and deliver the package to the winning business.
The final prize inclusions, conditions and value will be documented in the campaign’s Prize Schedule and Terms before nominations open.
No funding is being sought from community organisations or Council.
04 · Why we’re doing it
Recognising what businesses give back
Ivanhoe’s independent businesses contribute far more to the neighbourhood than the products and services they sell.
Heart of Ivanhoe is designed to surface and celebrate the stories that normally go unrecognised: the extra help, thoughtful service, community contribution and genuine human care that build loyalty and local connection.
Digital Sanctum is based in Ivanhoe and is funding the initiative as a contribution to the local business community.
05 · Who can participate
Local businesses in postcode 3079
The campaign will focus on eligible businesses physically and meaningfully operating in Ivanhoe and Ivanhoe East, Victoria 3079, including eligible home-based businesses.
Detailed eligibility rules, exclusions, judging criteria, privacy arrangements and campaign terms will be published before nominations open.
06 · Local partners
Advice and amplification, rather than sponsorship
At this stage, we would value:
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Feedback
On the initiative before launch.
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Introductions
To relevant local business and community networks.
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Advice
On appropriate local communication channels.
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Consideration
Of sharing the campaign once nominations open.
There is no obligation to endorse the award, participate in judging, provide funding or provide a prize.
07 · Timing
A considered path to launch
Campaign dates are being finalised following partner consultation and completion of the judging panel and launch governance.
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01
Partner consultation
Feedback and network introductions.
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02
Launch governance
Judging panel and final campaign dates.
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03
Partner pack
Campaign information and ready-to-use promotional material.
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04
Nominations open
Residents nominate their local businesses.
Partners will receive campaign information and ready-to-use promotional material before nominations open.
About the organiser
Digital Sanctum
Digital Sanctum is an Ivanhoe-based digital agency working across website development, branding, digital marketing and business automation.