EAST COAST RECOVERY TOUR
Stephen Long - THA Special Projects Manager
The closure of the Tasman High way at Paradise Gorge, near Orford at short notice had a massive impact on local businesses from Buckland to Swansea who operate in one of Australis most tourism dependant markets. The THA endeavoured to support all its members though contact and lobbying of the Tasmanian and Federal Government with some success. Hardship Grants were made available though feedback was that due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic it was difficult to provide some of the evidence required and that the process was somewhat difficult. Businesses were doing it hard and that grants were appreciated but didn’t fill the void, and once again venues were having to lay off staff and had little revenue. One particular impact that would not be evident was at the Ye Olde Buckland Inn where they were ejected from the local 8-ball competition as their opponents were all north of the divide – a significant impact on a small country pub and on the community. The THA team rallied to support members, quickly sourcing some financial and other support and to deliver it. So the East Coast Recovery tour came in to being. The premise for the tour was that we would hire a bus, seek the contribution of THA coporate partners to buy a seat – at $1,100 (incl GST) and provide their own accommodation costs, and to seek donations of goods and chattels that would enable us to provide support through buying consumables at the venue, donating supplies and giving a cash injection. Off we went, via Campbell Town to pick up the Northern crew and down the East Coast via Lake Leake to visit 10 member venues to spread the donations and lift morale in the community. On the way we dispersed over $30,000 to THA members to assist them with survival and brought many smiles, and some tears, to operators in the affected areas.
A special thanks to Phillip Morris who underwrote all additional costs above and beyond what we could raise for the ancillary parts of the journey. Feedback from Venues and from participants has been exclusively positive. A big outcome from a THA perspective of this journey was the ability to interact closely with our members and the impacts it had for Corporates face to face with venue operators. Upcoming event | Tour of Tasmania We have learnt some lessons and have combined these with reflection on previous our regional forums, and now planning a statewide tour This year will see the THA, Corporate Partners and Politicians travel the state to industry, visiting them in their businesses – on our Tour of Tasmania - offering support and connecting with communities. We’ll be doing this on a charted bus and would like to see you or your business represented on these trips. Thanks to our supporting corporate partners Tassal | Angela Williamson, David Forrest & Victoria O’Sullivan Lion | John Burchill NRMA | Andrew Paynter and Todd Roberts Collins SBA | Bruno Palermo | Kerry Johnson Rapid Supply | Daniel Freshney & Andrew Boon Coca Cola Euro Pacific partners | Paul Champion Federal Group | Daniel Hanna & David Foster PFD Food Services | TomMcGinn, Kellie Beacham & Kerry Crowden Simplot | Jon Gangell Treasury Wines | Neil Grant, Kyle Astbury, Angela Oswin Australian Liquor Marketers - David Sheppard Federal Group – Vantage | Martin Kelly Gallaghers Insurances | Dan Quintin Complete Information Services
North Melbourne Football Club | Josh Linton TabCorp | Marcus Welch & Brendan Cashman CUB | Matthew McGowan
THA HOSPITALITY—REVIEW: AUGUST 2021 | 23
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