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Sports clubs unite amid virus fears
By Justin Flynn Ocean Grove traders are pleading with Bellarine Peninsula residents to shop locally as the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, takes hold. Ater a quieter than usual summer season, local business owners are being hit hard as the virus spreads and forces the closure of events and gatherings. Tami McAdam runs Piping Hot Chicken & Burger Grill, which has been an Ocean Grove institution for 40 years. “It’s all very well going and raiding the supermarket but we have 20 people that work here and their livelihoods depend upon that. he shop’s been here for 40 years and we’d like it to be here for next summer,” she said. “If we don’t get support, we won’t be open next year. “We’ve been sanitising everything and we have a strategy that we may just have to do takeaway and delivery for a ive kilometre radius. We’ll have plenty of food, our suppliers have plenty. We have plenty of fresh food and will be making salads, burgers and chickens.” Ms McAdam said she had received an order for passionfruit sponges from a group of women who were planning a “happy” small gathering. “hey were having a day where everybody had to tell a really happy story,” she said. “hey weren’t going to talk about the virus at all – they were going to drink Pimm’s and eat passionfruit sponge and just have a happy time.” Ocean Grove Business Association president Ty Simons, who also owns Dritwood Cafe in Ocean Grove, said business across the region had started to slow down weeks ago. “People out there, the local community, need to rally behind us if they want us to still be here,” he said. “Come and spend your money, even just a little bit. Phone us, don’t go on the internet.” Mr Simons said it was also up to business owners to adapt and innovate and said casual workers could be the ones to sufer the most. “If we start planning now and budgeting and rostering for it, we can lessen the impact,” he said. “We’ll do what we can for them [casuals].
Ty Simons, Cathy Staehr and Tami McAdam are urging shoppers to keep spending locally as COVID-19 tightens its grip. (Justin Flynn) 206602
We’re all in this together. “We’ll get through this, but we have to be smart about it.” Cathy Staehr, from newsXpress in Ocean Grove, urged business owners to check their
insurance policies and talk with their landlord. “he economic impact is terrifying,” she said. “All small businesses in town should go and discuss things with their landlord. Check your insurance policies now.”
Ocean Grove community sports clubs, including the region’s footy codes, have united in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ocean Grove Football Netball Club, Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club and Surfside Waves Soccer Club representatives met ater news that their seasons were postponed. AFL Barwon announced on March 17 that all community football and netball had been postponed until May 31 in light of the COVID-19 health crisis. AFL round 1 games went ahead, with the AFL announcing a reduced 17 round season. Ocean Grove Football Netball Club and Ocean Grove Cobras Junior Football Club issued a joint statement saying they were in constant dialogue about the challenges they faced. “We are well aware of the impact that this pandemic will have on our community and are determined to both play a role in helping the broader community over the diicult coming months,” the statement read. “With a combined social media presence of almost 4000 followers, one simple thing that we will both do is to use our platforms to support our sponsors, many of who are local businesses who have supported us year in and year out.” Meanwhile, Football Federation Australia conirmed sanctioned local soccer competitions would be suspended until April 14. Surfside Waves Soccer Club (SWSC), issued a statement to members, players and families, stating club training would continue. “he oicial advice from Football Victoria, our governing body, is that training can proceed as normal … as long as we do not break the new State of Emergency laws that prohibit crowds of 500 plus gathering for non-essential events.” Mark Heenan
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