Covid casualty: Gold Coast farm Freeman’s Organic Farm shuts, GoFundMe started
A renowned Gold Coast business is closing its doors after 106 years after seeing customer numbers plummet due to border rules.
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THE Gold Coast community is rallying to try and help a business owner after hearing he had to close his 106-year-old store due to border closures and financial losses.
Currumbin’s Freeman Organic Farm owner David Freeman announced on Saturday the hard closure of the Tomewin Border Gate was the significant factor in his customer decrease.
“Sadly since the Qld Government closed the Tomewin border gate in March 2020, our customers have dropped off and drive by traffic by 80 per cent,” he said.
“I persisted for the last 18 months paying my four casual staff with my entire Army pension despite not receiving a cent from the State Government and no job keeper from the federal government.”
On hearing the news, Gold Coast local Maleika Halpin created a GoFundMe page to help recoup some of Mr Freeman’s pension money.
“I’m a Gold Coast local and like you, Freeman’s Organic farm holds a very special place in my heart,” she said.
“I wanted to start a simple GoFundMe with the intention of helping David recover some of his pension and help him get through this season of uncertainty.
“David has given endlessly to his community, bolstering local, organic farming, providing jobs, employment and nutrition to thousands of locals since taking over his family farm.
“I would argue that Freeman’s Organic Farm is a pillar of our community,” Ms Halpin said.
More than two thousand dollars was raised within 24-hours and she said she wanted to make sure the business would not go under.
“In the spirit of Christmas let’s give back, even a small amount, to a man whose given our community so much,” Ms Halpin said.
‘I was losing money every week’: 106-year-old business closes
December 4, 2021
A renowned Currumbin fruit and vegetable business has closed its doors as a result of Covid-19 border rules.
Freeman’s Organic Farm owner David Freeman told the Bulletin in August he would be “toast” within weeks if there were more lockdowns on the Coast – now the historic farm has become another casualty of Covid-19.
Mr Freeman said on Saturday that the hard closure of the Tomewin border gate had seen customer numbers nosedive.
“Dear friends of the farm, I have some sad news,” he said in a post on social media.
“After months of soul searching, my accountant, the Qld government and City of Gold Coast finally made my decision very clear.
“Sadly since the Queensland government hard closed the Tomewin border gate in March, our customers dropped off by 80%.
“It was to such an extent that I was losing money every week.
“I persisted for the last 18 months paying my four casual staff with my entire Army pension despite not receiving a cent from the State government and no job keeper from the federal government.”
Mr Freeman said once he heard the Tomewin border gate would not be opened until 90% of Queenslanders are fully vaccinated – forecast to be in February – he had to close.
“I cannot lose any more money, so on my financial adviser’s advice, I have to close my business until the Tomewin border gate reopens,” he said.
“After 106 years of a family farm business, this saddens me enormously.
“I will take some time, and a short break as I have not had a holiday in eight years since retiring from a 28-year Army career which included five overseas combat deployments.”
He said he hoped to be able to package boxes of organic produce for his “genuine” and “loyal” customers.
“Hopefully our state government can show some compassion and empathy and ongoing financial support to southern Gold Coast businesses.
“A very sad organic farm and Army veteran,” Mr Freeman finished.
Hundreds of comments flooded to Mr Freeman’s post sharing their sadness about the closure of the business.
“David I am so sorry to hear this. You are the loveliest, most hardworking and friends should,” one said.
“I hope you are eventually able to receive some help from the government while closed.
“In the meantime, enjoy your time off, my goodness you deserve it.”
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