God Bless The Watering Hole

June first was an exciting day for 2020! The easing of COVID-19 restrictions enabled people to return to pubs and clubs in limited numbers and with conditions in place, but how was the first beer?

“To have a cold schooner again is bloody fantastic,” said Adrian Thornton.

Adrian and his wife Rachel were out for a meal at cluBarham.

“It’s great to come out and have meal and socialise.

“Not much changed for us during Covid restrictions. We both still had to work but it’s great to be out amongst people again.”

There was a healthy crowd of people eager to shrug off cooking tea and washing the associated dishes! 

Des Hunt and Helen Vaughn were one such couple, “We love coming across to cluBarham, it’s fantastic.”

“We are usually regular visitors but with the closures we’ve certainly missed it.”

Des and Helen are avid gardeners and having the garden was a good place to be during lock down.

“We both love the garden, we always have something to do, caring for the roses and all the plants.

“We do love the garden but it’s great to come out again!”

Patrons of the club are required to sign in and sign out of the club to ensure numbers are within the current Covid restriction guidelines.

I found Billie Gray waiting to enter the club. Billie works at the golf club and can often be seen lighting up the stage with his acting skills within Golden Rivers Theatre Group.

“The hardest thing has been the closure of all the events and clubs, and the likes of the theatre group.”

The performing arts sector has been hit extremely hard with COVID-19. The performing arts sector typically runs on the smell of an oily rag and relies on crowds. Crowds are somewhat of a distant memory unless you found yourself in one the great toilet paper rumbles of 2020.

Billy continued “It’s just good to be back out in public.”

Socialising or the lack of it was a common theme amongst people on Monday night.

The Royal Hotel also swung open its doors to the eagerly awaiting public. A quick sign in and a disinfection and then up to 17 patrons could use the bar and 25 in the lounge.

“It’s a whole new game,” publican Julie Swingler said with a grin. “The locals have been great, the support of the blue window has been tremdous but there is nothing like having the people back!

“We miss the contact so it’s so nice to have the doors open again.”

The knives and forks busily clattered away at the delicious array of food.

I bailed up Andrew Barry as he headed for the door, 

“It’s great to get out again.” 

Andrew is a truck driver for local stock feed company Franklin Custom Feeds.

“It’s been a challenge out on the road. You get a bit tired of roadhouse tucker so a good pub feed has been sorely missed.”

I found Tom Lamb was sitting by the bar,. Tom came up to play footy fiveyears ago and also works as a builder, currently working on the goods shed restoration.

“It’s fantastic, I love a good pub feed.” 

What was the worst thing about Covid restrictions?

“The lack of sauce bottles!” Tom says with a laugh pointing at the single serve of sauce you may get with a take away pie. No sharing of sauce bottles under the restrictions.

“Really I do miss the socialising with mates and coming out to the pub.”

As places open up and people move around it will be important to follow the rules set in place by the businesses. Yes, it may be frustrating, but businesses must comply with the rules to remain open.

If you are planning something, it may be prudent to book ahead for some venues, as numbers are limited. I do suspect the June long weekend may be hectic!