The Benalla Bowls Club has been in the firing line of government-enforced social restrictions.
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The venue, which is a significant part of the community’s life, has been sorely missed and the rolling-back of restrictions will be different for different businesses.
No-one was prepared for coronavirus, but the local community and local businesses have adapted positively to the crisis, which means the region’s economy is poised to reopen as quickly as it’s allowed to when restrictions are eased, hopefully, in coming weeks.
The strain it has put on business owners, their staff and the bottom line has been unprecedented and something no one wants to have to go through again.
A reflective club chief executive Wendy Joseph said we were all anxious right now because it was hard to ignore the reality.
Wendy said the club was so important to so many people because for many of the venue’s elderly members and clientele, it was an invaluable social gathering point, where they could interact and feel part of something bigger.
Right now, these people are forced to wait patiently at home in isolation.
Wendy said she was optimistic about the future and confident the region would come out at the other end of this pandemic stronger, because country towns had proven they had the people, and the capacity, to recover quickly from tough situations.
The club’s doors have been closed since late March, but this weekend it will launch its own takeaway menu, and just in time for Mother’s Day.
“Have a break from cooking and give mum a treat, with a delicious carvery lunch prepared by our executive chef, Peter Bugeja, and his amazing staff,” Wendy said.
“Two, or three courses comprising of a soup, main and dessert.”
The Mother’s Day meals will be pick-up only, with a regular takeaway menu for collection, or home delivery, to start from May 14, including lunch and dinner.
So, until the authorities say it’s safe to roll again and the rinks are, once more, full of eager bowlers, Wendy and her staff are focused on preparing an up-market, fast-food option as a necessary revenue stream.
“Several staff have been busy during this time shutting down all the facilities and cleaning and sterilising the premises in readiness for reopening,” she said.
“No doubt things will not be the same for the club and our members and patrons.
“Our focus will be on the safety of our staff and patrons and complying with government directions by providing a clean and healthy environment, so you can enjoy the social and sporting aspects of our community club.
“We are currently awaiting direction from government regarding restarting bowls events at the club and will keep our members up-to-date with developments as they come to hand.”
● To order from the takeaway menu search for Benalla Bowls Club on Facebook, or visit the club’s website at this link.
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