21 GEORGE STREET, MORWELL 3840
TELEPHONE 0351354444
MONDAY, 26 JULY, 2021
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MOSTLY SUNNY
$1 $1.80 80 iinc. GST
www.latrobevalleyexpress.ccom.au
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Frustration: Owners of local events company Fitzpatricks Lisa and Aaron Young are yet again feeling the negative eff ffects f of another lockdown. photograph zac standish
MP’S HOSPICE PUSH PAGE 4
OUT IN THE COLD FORCED to deal with last minute cancellations, strict venue capacities, a lack of certainty among potential clients and limited external assistance, you will be hard-pressed to find an industry hit harder than the entertainment service over the past 16 months. With countless major events across the Latrobe Valley region cancelled over this time, local hire company Fitzpatricks Entertainment and Fireworks has
felt the full wrath of the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now bracing themselves for another tough period following the state’s fifth snap lockdown. Run by Traralgon couple Aaron and Lisa Young, the pair detailed their initial reaction to the current lockdown and what it means for the business. “Frustrating is probably the word that summarises it,” Mr Young said. “It is very challenging for us to work with all the clients we work with that
need medium to long-term time frames to plan their activities, so when lockdowns are announced that immediately kills most of our business services.” This continues what has been an unfortunate cycle for the industry, as Mr Young explained just how devastating the pandemic has been for his company. “The impact has been significant, we have had a 90 per cent reduction in revenue, there have been a large number of annual community events that have
been cancelled for the first time in many years or in some cases ever,” he said. “(Managing) the workforce, we have about a dozen people who work for us on a casual basis, so there has been no work for any of those people and in most cases that is their only source of income so it has been very challenging for them and frustrating for us not being able to support them – overall the business has really suffered.” Continued on page 7
PUZZLES, BRAIN STRAIN - IT IS TIME TO TAKE A BREAK: PAGE 6
Southside Tax
& Bookkeeping
Frank Pagano FNTAA 10 Charles Street, Traralgon
5174 4820
and Blinds? FREE BEST LARGEST NEW
Measure, M P i d Prices and Quote and Quality Installation
in showroom h Gippsland
di l in i display showroom now
Call us now 5134 3652
GP1628618
TAX RETURNS
Need Curtains
Morwell Curtain & Blinds 34-38 George Street, Morwell
PAGE 9
FLANDERS IS FLYING HIGH VALLEY SPORT
Scoop Purchase
available fo or 10 Days Only Pride Powerlift Recliner
$999
Mobility & More Moe 32 George Street Moe
Pride Go Go Boot Scooter
$999
Phone 5127 2099
9407 GP1629
By ZAC STANDISH
MORWELL ROTARY CHANGEOVER