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6 JULY, 2021
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Back to the rock After four weeks closure due to COVID-19 restrictions and extreme weather, the Hanging Rock Cafe has reopened to the public. Cafe owner Briony Duff-Tytler said she was looking forward to having customers return again. “We’re really glad to be open in time for some of the school holidays at least,” Ms Duff-Tytler said. “There’s been a lot of clean-up in the park [since the storm]. “We were just glad everything was OK, we didn’t know what we we’re going to be walking into.” The cafe opened its doors last Thursday as part of the Hanging Rock staged reopening, which also included public access to picnic areas, shelters, the dam and the base walking track. The walk to the summit of Hanging Rock remains closed to the public. Macedon Ranges residents who have lunch in the cafe will receive a free exit ticket from the park. Details: https://hangingrockcafe.com. au/
Hanging Rock Cafe owner Briony Duff-Tytler with chef Matt Haddad and front of house supervisor Dustyn Moore. (Supplied)
Let the show go on Macedon Ranges Music Festival organiser Jimmy O’Hare has added his voice to a push to help the entertainment, arts and hospitality sectors recover from COVID-19 lockdowns. Mr O’Hare was one of several notable entertainment names, including Melbourne Symphony Orchestra managing director Sophie Galaise and Mushroom Group chief executive officer Matt Gudinski, to sign an open letter to Victoria’s chief health officer Brett Sutton highlighting the economic hardship caused by lockdowns. “I have friends that went from playing massive shows to working in abattoirs and warehouses,
and they were the ones lucky enough to find other employment,” Mr O’Hare said. “It’s a huge industry of people struggling that we rarely get to see behind the curtain. “I wanted to put my voice toward a cause where so many workers don’t have one.” The state government had planned to ease COVID-19 restrictions on July 1 to allow 100 per cent capacity at theatres, among other things. But the easing of restrictions was put on hold due to the surge in coronavirus cases across the country. Theatre capacity remains at 50 per cent to a total of 1000 people and crowds at public events remain at 50 per cent and 25,000 total people. Hospitality venues can serve up to 300 people
while dance floors remain closed. According to an RMIT University study released in February, more than 26,000 jobs had been lost in the arts and recreation sector, while 58 per cent of surveyed respondents were considering leaving the industry entirely. Sunbury-based BoilOver Performance Ensemble’s show BUOY was to be held on June 26, but it has now been postponed until September. BoilOver’s creative director Carmen Maddison said it was a difficult but necessary decision to make. “We would have had to reduce the audience numbers from 200 to about 40 which not only impacts our budget, but also would have affected
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the energy of the performances as audience reaction is essential,” Ms Maddison said. Mr O’Hare said his industry will continue to suffer as long as the state government continues to opt for lockdowns that limit or cancel events. “The music industry relies on the confidence of having people in a space, with online streaming these days touring is how artists make most of their money,” he said. “Some sort of support like JobKeeper would be helpful but in the long run people need the confidence to be able to book in advance and plan. “Now that planning is uncertain … it makes it harder for customers to commit to supporting the arts.” 12501697-CG27-21
By Oliver Lees