Before they moved energy providers, the parents of five children were paying up to $5,000 per quarter to power just one of their three stores, which are located in Ararat, Avoca and Maryborough in regional Victoria. 

“Our businesses consume lots of power because we do so much cooking,” Hayley said. “With our previous energy company, the rates would keep changing and we had a lot of issues connecting the solar systems we had installed to make our stores more sustainable and save some money. When we moved to EnergyAustralia, the connection was immediately done. There was no mucking about. They are also always consistent, which matches our business values,” she added.

These days, the Collicoats’ solar panels are working smoothly and their energy bills have reduced significantly.

New revenue streams

One of Hayley’s dreams for her family is to build a fully sustainable property where they can live off-grid and grow their own food. This commitment to the environment is also evident in her business decisions. 

As well as reaping the benefits of solar energy, the Collicoats receive financial rewards through EnergyAustralia’s Business PowerResponse trial program, which invites users to reduce their energy use at times of peak consumption.

When power is in demand, such as during extreme weather events, EnergyAustralia sends an SMS asking store owners to scale back or draw from on-site power sources in exchange for an account credit.

The program offers businesses a chance to earn bill credits and improve their sustainability credentials, as reducing power use during peak periods helps us transition to a cleaner energy future.

Powering through adversity

In just four years of business, Hayley’s dedicated resilience has seen Pyrenees Premium Cuts grow rapidly, despite the family facing serious illness and a devastating fire at their Avoca store. 

“I went to our kitchen window, where you can see our butcher shop at the back of the house, and everything was just on fire. It was an absolute inferno. There was nothing we could do but watch as years of hard work went straight down the gurgler,” Hayley said.

Consistency and quality

It took the Collicoats a year to rebuild their Avoca store. Fortunately, Hayley had brokered a deal to open a new store in Maryborough that supported their family and workers while they rebuilt.

Hayley believes the secret to success in the butchering industry is consistency. “My advice is to be consistent with everything – your customer service, the quality of your produce and your ingredients. Never shortcut. Near enough is not good enough – that’s our motto," Hayley said.

“We've worked really hard to get where we are and we want our children to understand what it's like to have to work hard for something, and to build something from nothing. I think it gives them a sense of pride too", Hayley added.

A vision for the future

As well as managing Pyrenees Premium Cuts, Hayley will soon be a qualified butcher and advocates for the butchery industry as Second Chair of the Victorian Retail Board and a member of the National Retail Council.

She is particularly passionate about regulatory reform to level the playing field for butchers from state to state, and between supermarkets and independent stores, to help keep more family-owned butcher shops open.

‘I am very passionate about this industry and will work as hard as I can to help it survive,’ Hayley said. 

Put your energy in the right place

Did you know that EnergyAustralia offers My Business members savings on their business energy bills and great customer service from a dedicated Australia-based team of business energy specialists?

If you decide to make the switch to the Business Balance plan you’ll get a guaranteed total energy bill discount for 12 months with no lock-in contracts or exit fees. 

To find the right energy plan for your business, learn how you can be more energy efficient and save, call 1800 102 558 or visit EnergyAustralia.

*Offer only for eligible business customers with a valid EnergyAustralia promotional code. Gas not available to QLD business customers. Not available in all areas or for all tariff types. Guaranteed discount is off our market usage rates and daily supply charges (after solar credits, if any) and applies for the 12-month benefit period. Your usage and supply charges won’t increase during the 12-month fixed rate period but other fees and charges (incl. solar feed-in tariffs & GreenPower) may vary. Limit of one $100 credit per new energy account, per energy type, per customer address. Credit will be applied to your first bill and is not transferable or redeemable for cash. Offer available until 30 June 2021. We may change or end this offer at any time. A Basic Plan Information Document (BPID) or an Energy Fact Sheet (EFS) with the key details of this plan is available on request.