VICTORIA’S snap lockdown closed some Sunraysia businesses completely while others had to think on their feet about implementing changes to ensure they would remain open. CAITLYN MORGAN and ASHLEE FALVO sat down with four local business owners to see how COVID-19 and the most recent lockdown has impacted them.
What are you doing now with your business that has made it more successful since the first lockdown last year?
During the first lockdown we implemented takeaway and delivery. Because of that we already had the procedures in place so we can roll straight into it this time. We offer takeaway and delivery every day during lockdown and pick up only when not in lockdown.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt as a business owner the past 15 months?
The community support us more than the government. Our community is great at supporting small local businesses to ensure the doors are kept open.
How does lockdown affect your business?
We were fully booked on the Wednesday and Thursday but by midday on Thursday after the announcement, we were empty. Most of our clients are from South Australia and with the border closing we have had a lot of cancellations. The restaurant side kept the lights on last year.
What does the future of your business look like?
We had the biggest month we have ever had in April. We have built up a regular customers base so once this is over we should bounce back.
What are you doing now with your business that has made it more successful since the first lockdown last year?
We have worked hard on our internal structures and procedures, which were mostly done during the first lockdown. We wanted to streamline a lot of our communications with our clients to be more consistent and relevant to their individual needs.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt (in relation to your business) over the past 15 months?
The loyalty of our staff, we are incredibly lucky to have a team that bought into our future vision so enthusiastically, without the support of our staff and their hard work and dedication to the many changes made now and into the future, we wouldn’t be able to do what we can do right now.
How has the lockdown affected the business?
Our main issue is not being able to do physical inspections, which is hard when trying to sell or lease a property, however from the last lockdown we have other avenues now that we can show people properties such as virtual inspections that have been very successful.
What does the future of your business look like?
We are very excited about the future, with hurdles comes opportunities to change. The lockdowns allowed us the opportunity to strip our business back to its bare bones in all facets of the company and be very honest with ourselves. While we were very comfortable with our business in its current form, it allowed us to look at things a little differently than we normally would. It’s exciting to see how much we have changed in the past 12 months and it provides us with a new and different outlook to change moving forward. I think most businesses are hesitant and scared to change — the past 12 months has taught us to be bolder in our thinking and braver in embracing change.
John Hollywood, director, Club Aquarius
What are you doing now with your business that has made it more successful since the first lockdown last year?
Our business was certainly showing signs of a wonderful comeback from the previous three lockdowns.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt as a business over the past 15 months?
We have learnt to be optimistic knowing we can come out the other side and be strong again.
How does lockdown affect your business?
It affects us greatly as being closed means no income. It’s very hard to make money when you’re closed.
What does the future of your business look like?
This lockdown scares us more than the others due to no JobKeeper. If we can come out of these lockdowns sooner rather than later we believe the next two years will be fantastic for the Club Aquarius brand.
What are you doing now with the club that has made it more successful since the first lockdown last year?
Players have been allocated into groups of two and are required to perform three training sessions per week in their group. To keep each other accountable, they must share their workout reports with the playing group. Being driven by the playing group and seeing others completing their sessions has really motivated everyone to keep training in their own time.
What’s the biggest thing you’ve learnt as a coach over the past 15 months?
You have to be organised and able to adapt. Things change quickly and those who are prepared have the best success.
How does lockdown affect the club?
The lockdown affects the club on and off the field. We need to be able to train together in order to perform at the level we want. Football is a team sport and relies on 22 players contributing on the field and that is developed through training. The other big factor is nothing compares to match fitness — it’s hard to mimic the intensity and the demands of games when training by yourself, so it’s going to a big impact on player performance and potential injuries when the season recommences. It isn’t going to be easy, and this will be the biggest challenge clubs face this year, but it will help develop the character of players.
What does the future of the club look like?
The future of the club is strong. We have set some strong playing standards and each player understands what is expected from them if they wish to play at South Mildura. However all clubs will face the difficulty of navigating through COVID-19 under restrictions that brings financial pressure and requires extra volunteers to continue. We are lucky that we have great people around the club that work tirelessly, week in and week out, to allow us to go out and play each weekend, and that dedication is just as strong if not stronger this year, after missing the 2020 season.
