RSL management held more concern for patrons than finances during COVID-19 period
As many venues across Queensland have finally reopened, the general manager of a Brisbane RSL says they held more concern for their at-risk older patrons than finances over the past three months.
Southeast
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THE general manager of a Brisbane RSL says it was their patrons “living in fear”, not the financial hit they took, which concerned them the most as they shut for more than three months.
Wynnum RSL opened its doors at noon on Friday after stage three of the COVID-19 restrictions ease was brought forward by the State Government.
The venue has managed to keep all full-time employees, as well as majority of other staff, except for the few who were ineligible for JobKeeper but could have more positions available in the coming months if business returns to normal.
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Wynnum RSL general manager Joshua Stebbing said the venue reopening was obviously good for the business but more so for the patrons, who have been locked inside for months, including during Anzac Day.
“It’s extremely hard, you see the same patrons every day and then all the sudden you can’t see them and they can’t come here,” he said.
“Then you think what they’ve gone through because they’re the most at risk people and they’ve been living in fear for months.
“We kept delivering meals to welfare patrons and veterans who we thought needed it during the COVID period, so we’ve still been operating in some way just to try and look after those people.
“It feels just incredible to be back.”
Mr Stebbing said business on their first weekend was “crazy” as he expected and hoped patrons would continue to roll in to help them rebound from the struggles during the COVID-19 period.
The Wynnum RSL was one of many venues, including the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, to reopen across Brisbane’s bayside on Friday.