JULY 21, 2020 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Mission possible Edgar’s Mission came from humble beginnings. Now home to more than 400 farm animals, including ‘Crocodile Rock’ the lamb, the Lanceield animal sanctuary has grown to become one of Macedon Ranges’ most notable sites. Turn to pages 8 and 9 for more photos of the furry residents of Edgar’s Mission.
Briannagh O’Loughlin with ‘Crocodile Rock’ the lamb. (Damjan Janevski) 211207_03
Business lockdown pain By Jessica Micallef Sunbury Business Association president Michael Osborne fears the reinstatement of stage three lockdown amid a surge of coronavirus cases will have a “larger and detrimental” impact than the irst lockdown. Sunbury restaurants and cafes have been forced back to takeaway and delivery services only and beauty salons, entertainment and cultural venues have closed. Mr Osborne said the second lockdown would not only impact businesses’ income, but the mental health of business owners. “At this point in time, the lockdown is having a similar impact [as the irst lockdown],” he said. “But I think because this one … has a
potential to go on much longer than the six weeks, the lockdown will have a far bigger impact on the local businesses, economy and community in general. “he businesses have got the livelihoods of their teams and staf to consider [and] combine that with having to support a family and kids that cannot go to school … it is going to have a massive impact inancially and socially.” Mr Osborne encouraged business owners to seek assistance from banks, landlords and accountants to ind out what inancial assistance is available. “Make sure you are registering and obtaining grants you are entitled to,” he said. “It’s just about open communication. But also on the emotional level, talk to people and
get advice on how to weather this storm because it is going to be around for a long time.” Mr Osborne said the community would play a vital role in helping businesses survive the second shutdown. “hat can be in the form of git vouchers, it could just giving great Google reviews or promoting good service,” he said. “here have been businesses that didn’t survive lockdown one and there will be more businesses that don’t survive lockdown two.” Mr Osborne said shopping local extended to big supermarket chains such as Coles and Woolworths. “As an association, we really would love to support local businesses who operate and keep money in Sunbury – that’s our number one
priority,” he said. “We are aware that Coles and Woolworths are very big employers of people.” According to Mr Osborne, Sunbury businesses remained “cautiously optimistic”, however, there was a degree of anxiousness as to how long the pandemic, and it’s efects, would last. “here is always going to be issues that confront communities … the stronger communities are the ones that support each other,” he said. Hume has the second highest number of cornavirus cases recorded in Victoria. here were 300 active cases as of Sunday. he municipality has recorded 582 cases since the pandemic began. he Macedon Ranges has four active cases, bringing the total number of conirmed cases to 13.
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