What an Easter it was this year, one that was nothing like anything we have experienced before.
As Australians gradually get used to their way of life in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, with restrictions tightly in place, things are anything but normal. Easter was no exception, and though the Easter Bunny was still permitted to visit families after Prime Minister Scott Morrison made a special eggs-emption on Friday, April 3, to allow the rabbit to enter all states and territories freely to deliver Easter eggs as part of an essential service, that is where normality stopped.
There was no rattling of tins on the backs of fire trucks as sirens sounded around town, people hurrying to hand their donations over for the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal. There were no annual fish and chip nights at the Marlo Angling Club or Bemm River CFA on Good Friday. Marlo Primary School’s Annual Easter Fete was cancelled and many locals were unable to gather at their local church for Easter services. The message was heard loud and clear – we were to simply stay home.
Usually one of the busiest weekends of the year for the region, it is hard not to feel disheartened, especially after a blackened summer with bushfires that left many local businesses financially on their knees.
Given that all caravan and camping parks were forced to close to campers in late March, except where permanent residents reside or if a person’s primary residence was not able to be occupied at that time, the Easter school holiday’s were meant to be the next economic boost that these businesses were looking forward to.
According to Les Heyne, owner of Marlo Ocean Views Caravan Park and Camping, “Our Easter bookings were full – it was to be our shining light and saviour after the Christmas/New Year period with the bushfires”.
“That was the start of it, then we missed out on February/March, which would usually be busy with the grey nomads who arrive after the younger generation that holidays during school holidays, leave. But due to the fires that left boat ramps, national parks, beaches and amenities closed, that didn’t eventuate either,” Les said.
“Now we’ve been hit with coronavirus on top to wipe our Easter out, meaning that we will have close to six months of the year with little or no income.
“In my 20 years of being in this business, I have never seen anything like this and I never want to again. It’s causing a lot of stress and angst. This is a huge stress on tourism, not just our business but all over the country, and I am concerned for the amount of casual retrenchment that will occur. Hopefully in the coming weeks after Easter I’d love to be able to let our annual sites back in. There should not be any real problem with this as they are all self contained with their own amenities, are appropriately distanced apart and people could self isolate in them. Once this is all over, I’d like to see some questions raised in regards to why motels were still able to operate and our annuals couldn’t come in. Our annuals are feeling pretty robbed. They didn’t get to use them for the two weeks at Christmas and now over the Easter break. We are getting a few calls from owners regarding the fee structure and if it doesn’t get addressed soon, it could cause a real headache for caravan park owners. Of the fees that annuals pay, roughly half of the money goes out in services and maintenance, which is obviously all still happening. As a caravan park, we rely heavily on that income. It’s our bread and butter.
“Outside of the caravan park, Easter looked different too, with only a third of the family being able to come home for Easter as the rest live elsewhere.”
On the positive note, Les was happy to see the curve flatten and hopes it will all be over with soon.
“Generally people have been good with most people who had paid deposits for Easter simply moving them forward to next Easter and we are grateful for that,” he said.
Owners of Andrews Land and Surf, Ellis and Vicki Stevens, who have been in business for 43 years this year, are also feeling the kick.
“We have never seen anything like this and it is a very new experience for all,” Ellis said.
Until last week, Ellis and Vicki had never closed their doors for a week in the history of the shop.
Andrews Land and Surf would normally hold its annual sale on Easter Saturday, a sale that has occurred for more than 20 years, with a nominated percentage taken off all current stock.
Due to the current restrictions, store manager, Jane Crofts, said there was no way the sale could go ahead.
“We are disappointed. But we haven’t cancelled it, its just postponed,” she said.
“It will happen later in the year. We’re down but not out.”
Jane was hoping to use the income from the sale to purchase winter stock, which she had cancelled after the summer bushfires and the uncertainty that followed the lack of summer tourism in the area.
“Fortunately our suppliers are awesome and if and when we need winter stock, it will be available for us to order,” she said.
“We’re very lucky.”
IMAGE: The vacant campsites at Marlo Ocean Views Caravan Park and Camping tell the story of a quiet Easter that has hit the community far and wide. (PS)
