Narrandera Argus WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020 Your local independent newspaper – established 1880 Print Post approved – 100003237 $1.70 INC. GST FIRST DROP IS THE SWEETEST Member John Blain, director Geoff Roberts and chairman Neville Wortlehock enjoy their first beer at the re-opened Exies. Photos: Kim Woods. THE rush to get back into the and have a chat. Shire’s watering holes last week was At the Narrandera Ex-Service- palpable as the doors were ung men’s Club, patrons lined up on the open in welcome at the clubs and steps waiting for the club to open pubs after 11 weeks of closure. at 2pm Friday. But, breweries caught short with Club manager Rick Boller said the the demand left publicans and club Exies was taking a staged approach managers scrambling for kegs. to opening. At the Charles Sturt on Friday, The club anticipates an eventu- retiree Barry Knight was back on al maximum of 150 people under The first beer at the bar of the Charles Sturt Hotel tasted pretty good to regular Barry Knight. his familiar stool, sipping a beer present social distancing require- the bistro due to open on June 15. All patrons must scan their li- Mr Boller said the Big Country and bantering with his mates – albeit ments. “We were concerned about open- cence, sign in and use hand sanitiser Hoedown in late August was still from 1.5m away – after 11 weeks of “A building as big as this takes ing too early if there was anoth- upon entry. booked to go ahead at the club. self-isolation. quite a bit to shut down and start er wave, and restrictions were As one of the town’s biggest Member John Blain was keen “I missed the companionship, back up again,” Mr Boller said. reimposed so we took a middle of employers, the club retained its to have a beer with his mates at having a yarn and seeing my mates,” “We have had some issues getting the road approach,” he said. 24 staff on the JobKeeper package. opening on Friday. he said. beer but new stock is arriving today “We are not having any social “We have budgeted for a 60 per He said local charities had suf- Barry conceded having drinkers (June 5) otherwise it will be pack- activities, including dance classes, cent trade in July so June is a wait fered nancially without the regular 1.5m apart was difcult for those a aged beer. bingo or rafes until further notice. and see,” Mr Boller said. fund raisers at the club. little hard of hearing. “The breweries can’t brew enough, “We are restricting our trade to “We expect it to be slow transition Board chairman Neville Wortle- “But when it gets really busy you even when we placed orders, I can’t bar trade and only every second into visitors coming and that has hock said the Exies had been in couldn’t hear the bloke next to you get our number one selling item gaming machine is operating.” a lot to do with state borders. a solid nancial position to weath- so what’s the difference,” he said. of Carlton Draught in kegs.” Mr Boller said the full board “Going into spring it is important er the lock-down but many other Barry is looking forward to the Mr Boller said the Club was limited of directors was meeting monthly everything is up and running, as smaller clubs may suffer. day when he can sit next to his mate to 50 patrons in the rst week, with to discuss the restrictions. that is trade for the whole town.” continued page 3 COVID-19 UPDATE Fog then sunny MAX: 18°C MIN: 3°C Business stimulus measures SMALL businesses in industries small businesses have applied and supplier costs. Support Fund grants to help highly impacted by COVID-19 for the grants, worth more “Comments from applicants highly-impacted small busi- have more time to submit than $400 million, and we’re such as ‘this was a very user nesses to keep the lights on and applications for up to $10,000 in looking forward to seeing this friendly experience, which is doors open,” Mr Tudehope said. THUR FRI SAT SUN MON Small Business Support Fund number grow over the next greatly appreciated, especial- “Small businesses are the grants to help pay for unavoidable month and getting more support ly during this stressful time’, backbone of our state and expenses. into the hands of those busi- capture the overwhelmingly support tens of thousands of Treasurer Dominic Perrottet nesses who need it most. positive sentiment about the local jobs and we are committed 16°C 17°C 19°C 16°C 14°C said by extending the closing “With the grants set to close ease of the process,” Mr Domi- to easing the burden of COVID-19 3°C 2°C 5°C 9°C 6°C date to the end of June eligible at the end of June, we’re now nello said. on our mum and dad business - - 10-20mm 1-5mm - small business owners now turning our attention from “Of the 5500 applicants who owners and entrepreneurs.” had more time to submit their response to recovery and chose to leave feedback, over The criteria for the Small applications to access this vital are looking at how we best 99 per cent gave the process a Business Support Fund grants support measure. support our businesses to thumbs up.” and online application form June – 9.4mm “The grants were designed reopen and welcome more Minister for Finance and is available here. Applications to help highly-impacted small customers.” Small Business Damien Tude- must be received by June 30. 2020 total – 323.8mm businesses hibernate, with Minister for Customer Ser- hope said the grants were part For more information about the criteria recently extended vice Victor Dominello said the of the NSW Government’s what other measures might to provide support for eligible grants had been designed to response strategy aimed at be available, visit service.nsw. microbreweries, cellar doors allow small businesses to get supporting small businesses. gov.au/covid-19 and use the Narrandera Argus and events and commercial access to help as quickly as “We’re committed to keeping assistance tool. To learn more vessel businesses,” Mr Perrottet possible and this extension people in jobs and businesses about the NSW Government’s said. meant more businesses would in business, which is why we COVID-19 stimulus measures, ENQUIRIES “Already more than 40,000 get help to cover utilities, rates established the Small Business visit nsw.gov.au/covid-19. Phone 6959 2222 167 East Street, Narrandera Help for business Operation Pariac or PO Box 5, Narrandera NSW 2700 SMALL businesses in industries hit unique challenges for small businesses hard by COVID-19 are set to benet and since 1 March the program has www.narranderaargus.com.au with 40 new Business Connect advisors assisted around 3,300 small businesses,” to watch over MAINTAINING social distancing and ensuring being deployed across NSW to help Mr Tudehope said. or find us on Facebook Public Health Order compliance at licensed provide valuable advice and guidance. “A number of small businesses were venues will be the focus of a month-long high- Among the 40 new advisors are able to pivot their operation but for visibility policing operation across regional NSW. ve with a background in tourism – one many, the challenges are now evolving NEWS ROOM With the NSW Government easing of restrictions of the sectors most heavily impacted and include operating in a COVID-safe related to gatherings in public places imposed Managing Editor by the pandemic. environment. under the Public Health Order from June 1, Minister for Jobs, Investment, “The advisors are able to connect Liz Lawrence an extended period of Operation Pariac has Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart businesses to the support available started and will be conducted until June 30. [email protected] Ayres said the new advisors, based from the NSW Government, including Operation Pariac is a high-visibility operation both in metropolitan and regional Small Business Support Fund Grants regularly conducted by general duties and spe- Journalist areas, would help small businesses and payroll tax waivers and deferrals cialist licensing police in the Northern, Southern navigate the difcult trading conditions. for eligible businesses.” Kim Woods and Western Regions, but will have an altered “We know small business operators A number of the new Business [email protected] focus for June 2020. across NSW are doing it tough and Connect advisors have experience The operation aims to ensure education and tourism is one of the industries that running their own businesses in compliance around the Public Health Order has been dramatically impacted by industries dramatically impacted conditions, relative to the easing of restrictions COVID-19,” Mr Ayres said. by COVID-19, including the arts ACCOUNTS in licensed premises. “The new Business Connect advisors and creative industries, retail and Police will also be targeting alcohol-related Administration Manager with a background in tourism will be tourism. crime, including assaults, anti-social behaviour able to share their insights and Once the new advisors start work, Debbie Bock and public order incidents. knowledge with small businesses from Business Connect will have more than Operation Pariac Commander, Assistant [email protected] that sector.” 120 business advisors. Commissioner Max Mitchell APM, said as restric- Minister for Finance and Small Advisory sessions with Business tions continue to ease, venues and patrons need Business Damien Tudehope said 11 of Connect are free of charge.