Anglesea groups join to tackle Covid concerns

LEADERS of Anglesea’s key clubs and groups met via Zoom for the first Anglesea Leaders Community Forum to discuss the challenges COVID-19 has presented.

The idea for the forum was instigated by the local Bendigo Bank branch, which contacted Anglesea Community Network to help organise it.

Anglesea Community Network member Gary Robinson said the effects of Stage 3 restrictions returning made it clear a coordinated response was necessary.

“There was some tension arising in the Anglesea township around the second round of lockdown, particularly with the loss of revenue for a lot of businesses and clubs,” Mr Robinson said.

“Even though our population is only just over 2,500, there are more than 50 service and sports groups in town. We felt if we formed a cross-committee amongst the groups in town it would be a lot better.”

Mr Robinson said this notion was shared by most groups Anglesea Community Network contacted.

“After talking to Bendigo Bank, we sent about 65 invitations to the leaders of different clubs and groups in the community and had 58 turn up to the forum (on Zoom). Everybody has been behind it.”

The Surf Coast Shire council also saw value in the concept, as the forum was among the first recipients of its COVID-19 Recovery Assistance program grants.

The discussion of the initial meeting focused on identifying the main problems the township is currently facing.

Mr Robinson said from the forum it became clear a significant factor in the town’s recovery will be if Melbournians can visit come summer.

“If people start to come down here for Christmas then we may have dodged a bullet. People who run businesses here are dependent on visitors.”

A second forum will likely be held next month to explore how the problems identified in the first forum might be solved.