A little town was on the brink after a factory shut down, a devastating drought, dairy industry on its knees, and then the crisis of COVID-19.

Now, with the Leitchville/Gunbower football/netball season over for 2020, the challenges have been unrelenting. 

However, the Leitchville community spirit hasn’t waned.

Last week, the two neighbouring country towns of Leitchville and Gunbower, were dealt another blow with the news of the sudden halting to the 2020 football/netball season under the banner of the Heathcote Districts Football and Netball Leagues decision pulling the pin. For some, it was like ‘what next?..’ While for others, the amazing support of the town folk through another crisis is holding the community together.

‘The Bridge’ caught up with some of the locals and talked on topics at the local bakery and at the popular Post Office.

For local, Dawn Billman, hearing the news about season’s end before it started, came as a shock but not unexpected due to COVID-19. As Dawn understood the health risks associated for the community, it was hard news to take.

“It’s going to be really devastating. What else can happen to the little town?

“Because we are an older town, this is what they look forward to, this is their social thing,” said Dawn.

Changing topics, Dawn also shared some of the positive news about the town with all the Gannawarra Shire Council funding and project developments from the RV park, to playgrounds, sporting facilities, the community gardens to businesses during these extraordinary times and weathering the storm.

“We have had a few good things happen around Leitchville though.

“At the back of the hall they’ve pulled all the garden out and are redoing the heritage precinct with assistance from funding via a community grant. 

“They’re also painting the inside of the hall and we now have an overhead projector and screen.”

With the recent news, Dawn was quick to brainstorm some ideas. “When restrictions allow for further gatherings, I was just thinking of getting some old videos of the football matches from Dougie Hawken. Whatever he’s got, or what others have got. That would work out since we don’t have the football now on a Saturday afternoon. But as soon as we can, we will open up the hall again.

“We will see how it goes. We could have pie and sauce or something. We could bring back the old football, if we can’t have the new.

“Our Biggest Morning Tea was to be yesterday (last Thursday) but it was put on hold. I think the town needs something soon, something a little bit normal,” she said.

“We might put some life back into the town, something to fill that gap.”

Just around the corner at the Post Office Mayne Brewer and Peter White stopped for a chat, something both have missed with the cancelling of their social outings and community groups during COVID-19.

Hanging on a wire…

News travels fast in the country and no doubt Power Country FM Radio’s outside broadcaster Mayne Brewer was in tune with the footy news and sure enough, the grapevine was running hot last week.

“It was coming I thought. There will be nothing on.”

Every season, Power Country Crew support the LGFNC each game on site, broadcasting the game live whether home or away.

Joining in the conversation was Peter White at the Post Office, while social distancing.

“I think it will make an impact for sure. That’s the decision and in a way they have done the right thing which is my personal opinion.”

“You don’t know what’s going to happen,” Mayne added.

“It [COVID-19] could flare up again which is quite possible,” Peter thought.

Both men are members of the Leitchville Men’s Shed and the group was meeting every Monday from 9am – 3pm up until early March. 

 “We are both senior’s members too and used to have a fortnightly lunch and that’s all stopped.

I think everyone around will be glad when it’s over.

“It gave you a chance to catch up with people but there is nothing now,” said Mayne.

Leitchville business is booming

The COVID-19 pandemic circumstances have helped local Leitchville’s business ‘The Good Meat Co’ in unprecedented times. The meat shortage in the area due to panic buying in the early days of the COVID-19 announcement, had an overwhelming response to people converging on the town for their meat supplies.

“With the rush on meat, we had people here who have never shopped in the town before and they keep coming back now,” said the business owner Ben North. 

“What happened at the time was Cohuna and Echuca had ran out of meat and they ended up here! It’s been great and we haven’t looked back.

“I just want to say a big thank you for the local support during these times.”

In talking footy as club sponsor and the cancellation news.

“We supply meat for the club functions and have supported them through the seasons best we could.” 

Although disappointed with the news, Ben understood the reasons for the decision. 

For the business going forward, COVID safe measures are in place in the shop and deliveries are available within the local area.

Leitchville’s pub owner and community man Ryan O’Mahony, spoke on the League’s decision and business through COVID.

“The greatest survival of the league in general has an impact. I think it would impact unfairly on football clubs to run first grade football where there’s not crowds. The liability of the football club is probably more of a priority this year.”

As one of the club sponsors, Ryan acknowledged his support of the club going forward.

Although the Leitchville Pub is closed to the public, the business is continuing on as they have been really well supported by the community in their change of menu to now do takeaway only.

“The community as a whole has really got behind us. Hospitality has paid one of the bigger penalties of this shutdown than most industries, and without any prompting at all, the communities have got behind the hospitality business and given them a push on.

“We are doing take away meals three nights a week, and doing home deliveries. We have takeaway alcohol sales every day of the week so we are trying to operate the best we can and its due to the support of the community we are able to do that.

“The business can’t really plan any further on opening until further government decisions.

“The social impacts of the footy league cancelling is going to hit home in the next couple of weeks. Right from junior’s to seniors not being able to train and play and the social interaction and engagement that football clubs bring to the small communities.

“For a lot of people, it sometimes could be the only interaction they have for a week, so that’s more of a worrying position of how we are going to tackle that.

“But in small communities we battle on. That’s what we do, we support each other and make sure we bring everyone with us at the same pace.

“The community engagement is really true in these little towns, keeping them involved and having a sense of belonging. When we’ve got that, we’re kicking goals.”

On another positive note…

School’s Back at Leitchville Primary!

Leitchville Primary School’s Principal Jim Rinaldi chatted last week about the seven students and two staff as they return in a gradual start to the term.

Since COVID-19 the school has adapted well with the challenges of home schooling for local families. School packages were delivered by the school to children instead of online learning, whilst others attended the school due to essential family requirements.

“Each week I dropped one (tasks) off and picked up those that had finished and this worked well. 

The parents aren’t doing it for them although supporting them.

The school was ready to welcome and settle the students back this week with routines as best possible.

“We have been given all the information in relation to COVID health and safety measures across the school community and will implement these.

The school is also organising enrolments for students for next year with further details available by contacting the school directly.