YEAR IN REVIEW ... BUSINESS
STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
Face masks lead revival JULY 29
Maureen Bourke and Emma Fry with their masks. (Joe Mastroianni)
An Altona business that was crippled by the COVID-19 crisis is now working overtime to fulfil mask orders. Elle & Stuart owner Maureen Bourke said she had received hundreds of orders as masks became mandatory in public last Thursday. “By the start of the first lockdown, we were in awful trouble because a lot of the business is bridal alterations and clothing alterations,” she said. “We were down 83 per cent.” Masks changed everything.
“I’ve been able to employ somebody and my husband’s also here doing all the admin … we’re really, really under the pump to get everything out,” Ms Bourke said. “They’re selling out very, very quickly. I think we’ve had about 600 orders … but people may be ordering 10 pieces. “We’ve done 14 days straight, 10 hours-plus a day. You’ve just got to keep moving. “We’re about six weeks away from turning 10 so there’s no way we won’t be there for it. “We will be there at the end of this whole horrible situation.”
Changing face of business APRIL 8 A western suburbs seamstress who turned her hand to making masks after her business closed, is giving away about 400 each day. Nhi “Annie” Tran said that after her clothing-alteration shop at 20 Ferguson Street in Williamstown shut due to the coronavirus, she found another way to help the community. “At the moment, because I don’t have work at all, I am just trying to do something for Australia, to help,” she said. “On Monday and today, I’ve run out of more than 400 masks. “Some people come and make a donation of
money as well. Some give me fruit, and even a cake. Someone gave me chocolate as well.” Her masks range from black to colourful prints and red and white polka dots. She said it took about 10 prototypes before she was satisfied with a snug-fitting pattern. “I’ve got some for the baby as well, but now I have run out of baby ones,” Ms Tran said. “Now, I just make the masks and keep everybody safe first. “If everybody is safe, it means we are safe.”
Nhi “Annie” Tran is giving away 400 masks a day. (Damjan Janevski)
EVERY TEST HELPS US KEEP DOING THE THINGS WE LOVE Every test keeps us on top of this virus. And keeps us doing the things we love. So even if your symptoms are mild, or you’ve been tested before, every test helps.
For testing locations visit CORONAVIRUS.vic.gov.au Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
8 MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY STAR WEEKLY Wednesday, 13 January, 2021