Lockdown has affected many businesses and local organisations around the state over the past month.
Many businesses have had to close their shop fronts, healthcare services were forced to change the way some services were run, while other businesses had to work out how to keep revenue coming in.
And the businesses in Harden-Murrumburrah and surrounding areas were not exempt.
The Harden Library had to close its doors to readers but they found alternative ways to keep getting books out with Library Assistant Monica travelling over from Young one day a week.
“I was clearing out the after hours returns which was always very full.”
Once the after hours returns were cleared out, Monica organised with clients to deliver the books or meet people at the door so they could collect the books.
“If books were being returned I would call around and ask if they would like more to read.”
This was accepted very well in the community with Monica saying she did quite a few deliveries.
Monica was also helped out by the ladies next door at Flexible Care who gave her names of people she wasn’t aware of.
“With the help of Flexible Care I was able to deliver books or leave books at their office for people to pick up.”
Flexible Care were also delivering books when they could.
Most of Murrumburrah-Harden Flexible Care’s services continued to go ahead some with alternative arrangements.
Murrumburrah-Harden Flexible Care CEO Debby Glover said “Mainly our transport services were affected. We couldn’t do community transport into Canberra or Sydney.”
Flexible Care were then force to make alternative arrangements for medical appointments in these areas such as phone consultations with other venues were sought out for medical procedures such as biopsies.
Social support sessions were stopped but clients were still contacted through telephone and one-on-one house visits.
All other services services such as Meals on Wheels and Personal Care continued as per normal.
“Everyone was still looked after within the community even though we were in lockdown.”
Harden Country Club were given 90 minutes of notice before the lockdown measures came into place.
General Manager Christopher Longbottom said the Harden Country Club were lucky enough to revert back to how they were operating in the first lockdown.
“All the systems that we used during the previous lockdown were already in place.”
During this time the Country Club went back to takeaway only with ordering through the online platform.
Online raffles still continued through the Facebook page and online ticket system.
Golf, which is seen as a form of exercise, continued during the lockdown with several rules in place.
The lockdown resulted in a 95 percent reduction in turnover at the Country Club with Christopher saying “The four week lockdown has affected us greatly as I’m sure it has done to plenty of businesses in town.”
East Street Cafe within the Country Club precinct closed but has now reopened alongside the rest of the Country Club.
Hard Rock Gym was one of the few businesses in town that were forced to close their doors entirely.
With the gym now open again, Ros said the same rules apply before the lockdown was enforced.
“We have always had the hygiene protocols in place but for the last two years it has been more prominent than ever.”
“Towels must be used on all equipment, masks must be worn and we ask everyone to sanitise before you use equipment as well as maintaining social distancing.”
The biggest issue the gym staff are facing now is people wearing masks while exercising.
“Wearing masks while exercising is just something have to get used to.”
“People have been extremely supportive throughout the lockdown and we feel very blessed that we have this much support behind us.”
Classes are still on hold at the moment and will recommence after the School Holiday period.
The lockdown has also affected community organisations such as the CWA Harden Branch.
Secretary Ros Bickford said the group have not been able to get together to network.
“We have been unable to have our monthly meetings and we haven’t been able to open the craft shop which is usually open on a Friday and Saturday.”
Ros described the CWA as a great community hub for people.
Due to the lockdown the CWA members have not been able to meet up with each other and the wider community.
“Once a month people can come in and have a free cuppa and morning tea but we have been unable to provide that.”
“Financially we have been hit hard as well at this stage we will be struggling to pay our utilities.”
Contact has been very minimal between the CWA members but Ros says newsletters are still being sent out monthly.
“Most of our members aren’t on computers but those who do usually spread the word to their friends to let them know what is happening.”
The CWA are hoping to open soon to keep helping the community.
“Hopefully we will be open next week.”
Trinity Catholic Primary School were forced into remote learning once the lockdown was announced.
Principal Caz Perryman said the staff at Trinity continued to build communities.
“We used Facebook to connect with families, we did dance competitions, our assistant principal took photos of herself around town and through our remote learning tools the kids were able to guess where she was.”
“We went to a lot of trouble to try and keep our community spirit.”
Caz said it was difficult for the teachers to maintain remote learning and make sure it was engaging.
“It was quite hard to keep up the relationship between teacher and student through a screen.”
Trinity is now operating under level three restrictions which means the staff and students are going about school differently.
Congregation between cohorts is prohibited so Caz visited all cohorts on Monday.
“The children loved getting back together again. I was pleasantly surprised how many students said they missed being at school.”
On their return to school this week the students of Trinity underwent testing to see how they have been progressing.
“Our students reading levels have continued to increase while in lockdown. That’s a credit to our reinforced reading program.”
After the lockdown was announced, Murrumburrah Public was also forced into remote learning.
Principal Renae Ford said “The school community was absolutely fantastic through the lockdown period. They really embraced home learning, there have been some challenges but they have done a fantastic job.”
“The staff have done an amazing job in supporting both the students and parents and likewise with the parents.”
“Our parents have been very grateful and we have been grateful for their support and what they have been able to do.”
Renae believes the transition back to school has been great.
“All of the kids were so happy to be back on Monday but we aren’t taking it for granted because it could turn around and change at anytime.”
“It’s great to see the children back, it was great to see how happy they looked and how happy they were to see their mates.”
All schools around New South Wales are now operating under level 3 restrictions which has caused a lot of change within the school environment.
“The restrictions are very similar to last year, visitors are not allowed onsite unless they are essential, hand cleaning and sanitising are still in place, assemblies are also not allowed. Students also have to stay within their own cohorts.”
The Ohana Collection were another business forced to close their doors but were still able to operate through online orders as well as phone orders. Throughout the lockdown, the Ohana Collection received a lot of support from the community.
“Because people weren’t able to get out during lockdown, people were sending flowers and gifts to each other to show their support and love.” Julie Doolan said.
Through the lockdown more products were available on the website and flowers were being delivered through contactless delivery.
“Customers took the opportunity to purchase more of our products online but its not the same as shopping in store.”
Through lockdown flowers were the main seller.
“We had a few promotions during the lockdown one for Father’s Day and another for RUOK? Day. People really came onboard with the Father’s Day promotion selling gift packs and flowers as well as delivering on weekends.”
“It’s great that Ohana has been able to bring some happiness and smiles to people’s faces during this time.”
