Victoria’s repeated lockdowns leave trail of broken businesses
Victoria’s small businesses have taken hit after hit with repeated lockdowns. They reveal how their lives and livelihoods have been crushed.
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After 16 months of lockdowns and restrictions businesses across the state say they are on their knees.
From pub owners to beauticians, travel agents to motivational speakers, they fear just one more lockdown will force them to close up for good.
For many, it’s already too late.
Billions of dollars in government funding, at federal and state level, have been pumped into the system to try and keep businesses afloat.
But with crippling overheads, rent, wage costs and no money coming in, businesses say the losses are growing and the debts are mounting. And the help, when it comes, is too little, too late.
Now they are calling for increased support and a fresh approach in the fight against Covid-19.
The Herald Sun spoke with 50 struggling business owners who have backed a campaign for change that is calling on governments across Australia to reassess their ongoing Covid-19 responses and commit to reverting to lockdowns as a last resort.
They are urging Victorians to get behind them and sign a petition at www.sosbiz.com.au.
1. MADDISON TEMELKOVSKI
THE AESTHETIC SKIN CLINIC, GEELONG
As a very successful company in our fifth year, we grew from strength to strength every quarter since 2016. In March 2020 the Covid-19 lockdowns put us at a complete standstill.
We tried to be positive and utilise the time on training staff, doing some renovations, and put our needs as a company aside for the greater good.
We lost at least $300,000 in the first lockdown. The second lockdown we took it a little harder and again lost close to $500,000.
We are now into our third lockdown for the year, fifth in total in Victoria and we have had enough.
The impact that these lockdowns are having on our businesses and people is devastating.
We are at breaking point, every business is at breaking point. We need to learn to live with this virus, we cannot close our doors any longer.
We only have a matter of weeks left in us before we close our doors for good. We are hurt, we are depressed, we are gasping for breathe as a business and the moment we try and get ahead we are forced to closed again.
We will lose our home, our car, our business that we have built and planned on expanding globally, we will have no home and no place to go. Enough is enough.
2. ERIN MOORE
SOUNDBAR, CAPEL SOUND
Lockdown has had a grave impact on our entire family. I opened Soundbar eight years ago, worked my butt off as a single mum with two young kids.
There was no problem too big that I couldn’t overcome.
Putting those first signs on the door in March 2020, “closed until further notice”, broke me.
We pulled together, made a point to wake up positive with a purpose. We renovated, painted and spent the time improving the business.
After lockdown 1 we opened up, all smiles – happy to have made it through.
Lockdowns 2,3,4 and now 5 were not so. They were full of despair, anxiety, anger and frustration.
Everyday we’re just making it through.
People often measure their life losses in terms monetary loss. And yes we’ve lost a lot. Hundreds of thousands of dollars down the drain.
It will take us years and years and years to regain our savings spent, payback loans and get back in the green.
But my biggest loss is my time – way more precious and something I can never regain. So many wasted days, just surviving.
3. WENDY BOURKE
REMOVAL MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE, SURREY HILLS
Our family business of 24 years was placed into liquidation at the end of May 2021 due to the government decision to close international borders indefinitely.
We operated a global mobility company relocating corporate clients, and now we are unable to meet our overheads with no income after investing for our future and our country.
There is no certainty for the next 12 months and no security for small business owners.
Jobkeeper was a valuable contribution to support staff combined with ATO concessions but this needed to continue longer to those affected.
The Government does not fully appreciate the emotional burden placed on business owners to navigate through the process to obtain support funding.
It is time consuming and frustrating to constantly explain a situation you did not create.
I would not be inclined to take the risk to start a small business in Australia ever again.
4. PRUE BORENSTEIN
KIDZ KINGDOM, COLAC
In 2020 we were untouchable, as play centres already have a connotation attached to them that they are unclean and carry germs.
The very minute the virus was talked about our pre-booked parties started to cancel.
The income we were relying on to pay the next set of bills suddenly gone.
We lost months of income, we owed suppliers money, the stress and sleepless nights were relentless.
The funding the government offered in 2020 was manageable once we received it, but this year the application process is cumbersome and not covering what we are losing.
If lockdowns continue I can’t see a way out.
It is so incredibly tiring to have to contact customers, cancel and try to reschedule bookings that may not come to fruition.
You get to a point where you’re not sure if it’s worth it. The love of the job is wearing thin. As far as mental health goes, it is shot.
I don’t want any other support from the government. What I want from the government is that they listen to us. We cannot keep doing this.
5. DOMINIC AND LISA SCULLI
BTB MARTIAL ARTS & FITNESS CENTRE, KEILOR EAST
After running a successful business for over twenty years it has been extremely heartbreaking to be continually thrown into lockdown.
We have made many sacrifices as a family to always ensure the smooth operations of our business and to give our valuable members our time.
It has been mentally and physically exhausting to watch something you have poured so much of yourself into melt away like an iceberg with much of it out of your control.
There have been many sleepless nights worrying what next if the business closes.
During the lockdowns we have had to spin on a dime to try and keep our business alive by taking classes online however as a result of ongoing lockdowns we have lost approximately 60 per cent of our membership base.
If these lockdowns continue over time I fear that we will continue to see a decline in our membership base resulting in closure of our business as it will no longer be feasible.
We have been fortunate enough to qualify for government assistance over this time yet this is merely a drop in a bucket and barely covers costs.
6. PIA KYNOCH
INSPIRATION PLACE, KEW
The impact of each lockdown has been uniquely devastating for me, my team, my business and our communities.
The short term ripple effects are nothing in comparison to the long term ripple effects that are really starting to be felt more and more and more.
Each lockdown continues to add to the momentum of fear and uncertainty – how can we keep going as a business?
I have been working in my business for 26 years.
After more than half my lifetime of blood, sweat, tears and so much energy, so many employees lovingly grown and developed, so many clients’ lives changed, we are close to closure. It is a crushing feeling.
I have been challenged to grow and develop my business to adapt. I have been challenged to keep my team employed, and then to keep my team feeling safe and connected, and then to keep my team skill bases fresh and updated.
I have been challenged to keep our client base engaged.
In times when you yourself are feeling vulnerable on every level of your being it can be really difficult to keep showing up for your team, and your clients. It can be easy to not want to show up at all. Or even ever again.
7. CATHY MAHER
LOLLIPOPS PLAYLAND AND CRAZY CLIMB INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING CENTRE, NOBLE PARK
We have managed to survive every lockdown and restriction to keep the doors open.
These two lockdowns have hit differently, as like so many people and businesses, we finally saw the light at end of the tunnel.
The financial, emotional and mental toll sees people at the end of their tether.
These restrictions and lockdowns impact our business over a much longer term than just the lockdown period. We need help for our business and our staff.
The current relief doesn’t even take into account the current business losses let alone support for us for the recovery in the weeks and months to come due to no consumer confidence.
We don’t care who is at fault, we don’t care who is responsible for support, but when you force a business to be closed, the business and staff shouldn’t be the ones suffering.
While we are not opposed to the requirement of lockdowns, the governments, both State and Federal need to ensure they are providing adequate support to enable us to survive and recover.
That has not happened to date.
8. HELEN BOUZIS
JETAWAY AIRPORT PARKING, TULLAMARINE
Each time a lockdown occurs we lose all our business as we rely on people travelling.
With border closures and no travelling, all bookings are immediately cancelled which means no income.
With no JobKeeper these lockdowns cause huge financial and emotional stress on ourselves and staff.
Most of our staff have used their annual leave, which also causes strain on the business as we need to pay out annual leave payments.
The government support, which we have not been eligible for, wouldn’t even cover our electricity bill.
To be quite honest, we actually don’t want any government support, we just want to be able to operate our business as usual.
It is very worrying thinking of what the rest of the year could look like – I try not to focus too much on how long we will be locked down for and how long our business will essentially be closed.
But I have to remain positive for mine and my family’s wellbeing.
9. SHERIDAN SHAW
MAMAWEST, MAIDSTONE
I’ve never felt so dark. Last week I questioned my business and what I’m even doing.
We are losing anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 per week, every week of lockdown.
If lockdown continues, my business will die.
Tax relief would be a huge support. I still paid a $26,000 tax bill this financial year and wasn’t able to trade for four months.
Rent relief would also benefit all the business under our coworking umbrella.
10. DANIEL PACIOCCO
DANIEL P. STYLIST, MELBOURNE
The impact of lockdowns has been crushing for both myself and my fiance.
We are both sole traders within the creative arts industry: I am a fashion stylist and he is a theatre producer and director.
Our industries have either been completely shut down or compromised for over a year now, making it extremely difficult if not impossible to operate.
We have struggled to maintain any confidence in regards to our careers, having the rug pulled out from under us with little to no financial support, and with no clear end in sight.
Naturally our mental health has been affected. Last year I personally hit my lowest point of depression, it was scary and troubling for us both.
I refuse to be in that dark place again, and have adopted the tools I require to keep my mind and body happy, but I am concerned that this isn’t as easily achievable for some of my fellow Australians.
If lockdowns of any sort continue, especially with no proper financial support for all tax paying citizens, I fear we will be out of work and without income for the rest of the year.
All plans we have made to produce our work will be out the window, and investments made – both financial and emotional – will be completely lost.
It is time for a NEW new normal. No more fear mongering, no more hypocrisy, no more contradictions, no more lies, no more political spin, no more dictation, no more propaganda. We are done.
11. RENEE PATSIAOURAS
OLIVE AND THYME CATERING, CLAYTON SOUTH
Financially this is costing us around $70,000 to $80,000 in lost sales every single month.
It has been soul crushing going to an empty factory, seeing it standing there without working to its full potential.
It has taken a huge toll on us mentally and financially, and with no end in sight it has not given us a road map out of this madness to be able to function and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
We are also having to dip into our savings if this continues, as a $3,000 handout, and now a $2,000 handout doesn’t cover rent, living expenses, land tax, wages, insurance and loans.
We will fight, and we are lucky due to the fact we have low rent and we have a good savings plan.
But why do we have to dip into that? That was saved for our future, not for lockdowns that are not viable.
We need a scheme similar to JobKeeper and more appropriate cash injections that are proportionate to the business.
We don’t want a free handout, we just want to work and earn an honest living and go back to doing what we love.
12. JESSICA COOPER
CUTS FOR PUPS, RESERVOIR
It’s hard to put into words the impact lockdown has had on us, but this has been the most challenging thing I’ve lived through.
My small, humble dog grooming business has taken a massive hit.
I’ve been on a steady decline. I’ve had to dip into our savings; savings for a wedding that we’ve been planning for two and a half years.
My partner now has the added pressure of providing solely for our household.
Being a sole trader I have no superannuation, I can’t afford to put money aside for it anymore. I’ve lost an estimated $30,000 over lockdown.
I just can’t take it anymore, I can’t handle the day to day anxiety of not knowing when I will be able to get back to work.
The stress of the catch up when I return to work. The constant lingering thoughts that even when I am working, when will I be told to stop again?
I never would have imagined a world where I’m forced to not work.
At this point I don’t know how much more of my savings I can rip through until I have to close.
13. TJ CARROLL
ENGAGE AT DISEGNO, SOUTHBANK
I’ve been in the events industry for nearly 2 decades, the last 10 in my own business.
We have 70,000 people in our industry suffering right now, most have been stood down even though they weren’t back to full time work.
I’ve lost staff to new industries as they could not afford to feed their families.
Lockdown has had a massive impact on my business and mental health.
I have been seeing a phycologist for about nine months now as I was suicidal. I have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
I have used up all the Medicare mental health plan rebates and am now paying for my appointments which is a nightmare as I have pretty much lost all of my income.
I want the Victorian Government to take ownership of the catastrophic failure into the events industry – its ironic they don’t know what we do. Melbourne is the events capital of Australia, if not the world.
14. CHLOE COOK
THE COOKIE CLAN & LASH BAR. COLAC
I’ve tired so hard to pick myself up after losing my husband in November last year and I’m at breaking point.
I’ve now sat through 2 lockdowns widowed, but this will be my first lockdown with a commercial lease after trying to pick myself up and get back on with life.
The past few months I’ve spent my time, sweat, tears and lots of money into a run down shop in our country town to have something new and exciting filling the ever growing empty shops around town.
I had only been open 27 days. Not even enough time to get any type of money flowing back into my business to have anything to fall back on when lockdown hit.
I have three tiny mouths to feed. A commercial lease and bills to pay. All while trying to keep the roof over our head.
If lockdown continues I’m not sure my business will survive. But I will try absolutely everything in my power to not lose this.
We as a family have already lost more than our fair share.
15. TRACEY HARGREAVES
ABSOLUTE YOGA & PILATES, BALLARAT
The impact of the lockdowns has affected my whole family and has increased in severity with each progressive period of forced closure.
Financially it’s incredibly hard as the business is in a worse situation every time while struggling to look after my kids and do any sort of homeschooling.
During Lockdown 4 we closed our second studio. After 14 months of making losses on it every month we couldn’t do it anymore.
I now wonder how long until we have to close altogether.
As someone who has never really struggled with mental health issues I find myself properly depressed for the first time ever. It all just feels hopeless.
It’s like walking around in a thick fog with bricks in your pockets and feeling even worse for not being able to cope with the homeschooling as well.
In order to pay staff, rent, bills and insurance we have redrawn about $50,000 from our mortgage.
I don’t like to think about it as we worked so hard for years with no holidays to get ahead on our payments.
We simply won’t be able to stay in business if lockdowns continue. One more and we will be finished, if we’re not already.
16. BIANCA SCIESSERE
THE BIG SISTER EXPERIENCE
We are a start up business, we had rented a property right before lockdown and just begun to pay ourselves a wage.
This has since stalled and we have been unable to pay ourselves again as business has not picked up enough since JobKeeper.
Our business is not registered for GST and we had some small savings so we have not been eligible for any other financial support.
If lockdowns continue we will not be able to train new staff, and schools will continue to be hesitant to book our programs because of the unknown.
We will also have to look elsewhere for new jobs to begin receiving some kind of income.
This is absolutely devastating as we have so much proof that this program is supporting teen girls to get through this pandemic.
I think there are ways to handle an outbreak without locking down.
17. JOSH KARST
FMC FITNESS AND MARTIAL ARTS CENTRE, MELBOURNE
We were an extremely successful business, rated as one of Melbourne’s top MMA gyms in 2019.
Then Covid-19 hit and it all went downhill from there.
During these lockdown gyms have always been the first to close and the last to reopen.
Our landlord offered us 50 per cent rent discount but expected us to pay the other 50 per cent even though the amount of actual days we were able to trade during 2020 was minimal.
On top of that, because our instructors contracted themselves out to our business, we weren’t classed as having employees and therefore weren’t eligible for any sort of government grants or funding.
We were given an eviction notice in March of this year and unfortunately had to move out.
Our bank account was dry and the landlord is still demanding we pay back the rent owed.
I’m now on anti-anxiety medication so I can sleep, I can’t train like I normally do because the gyms are closed and I can’t do what I love doing which is teach because I’m locked at home.
When I moved to Australia from New Zealand 12 years ago I had a dream of living this beautiful country and becoming successful doing what I’m so passionate about.
That dream has been shattered and fully taken away from me.
I now feel absolutely useless and broken and am now considering moving back to New Zealand as I’ve grown to hate this country.
18. JENNI LEE
BRIGHTON SAVOY, BRIGHTON
As a 54 year old family business started by a penniless refuge who survived the Nazi’s and Communist Invasions, there is something monstrous and surreal that we find ourselves poised to lose our family’s lifework, legacy and the loss of our world as we know it.
The sense of isolation is overwhelming.
All our cash reserves are gone, we have withdrawn the maximum allowable superannuation, and are accumulating over $1 million in debt, and that’s growing daily.
The viability of our business, that at its peak employed over 80 people and contributed over $50 million to the local economy, is at stake.
We cannot continue without direct relief.
19. SARAH COLLINS
HIVE BEAUTY BAR, SUNBURY
We opened 10 months before Covid-19 hit. The last year has hit hard in our industry.
All of our main sources of income have been impacted heavily by the lockdown restrictions.
Events such as weddings, debutante balls, red carpet functions, and photoshoots have all been cancelled.
Many of these events will not go ahead and even if some of them are rescheduled, it won’t be anytime soon.
The lockdown has meant I have not been able to earn a living for over a year now.
My mental health has declined and I am in a constant state of anxiety.
I have three young daughters and am unable to help my husband to support my family, and to add to that stress I have the ongoing rent of my commercial lease.
I did receive Job Keeper. This saved my business as I then could pay some rent to avoid going into arrears with the landlord.
Because I am not registered for GST I am not eligible for any financial help from the Victorian government, even though I have a shopfront and am still paying full rent.
We need a cash injection for small businesses, businesses with a shopfront like mine – we need help. We cant keep going on like this, it’s insane.
20. JULIAN GERNER
MORGAN’S, SORRENTO
I feel punch drunk. The cumulative effect of these lockdowns has taken a heavy toll.
I continue to negotiate with employees, suppliers, lawyers, insurers, landlord, utilities, lenders and debt collectors seemingly on a daily basis.
I have closed down my business 5 times and started up again under suffocating restrictions.
Countless hours of sleep have been lost to manic ‘out of control’ thought trains. The nervous energy spent is exhausting.
I have a wife and young family, who have unnecessarily experienced 6 months of lockdowns and the myriad of impacts on their precious early years.
My daughter’s 6th birthday party was meant to be today (Saturday 24th July) but has been ‘postponed indefinitely’ while a bunch of incompetents pursue a blanket ‘eradication at all costs’ approach.
The business has lost millions in revenue. Losses and debts are significant and mounting.
This should have been an opportunity for strong leadership and reform.
I’ve given up hoping government will come to the rescue. I’m just holding onto the little breath I have left and hoping to survive.
21. BARBARA DIGHT
CICCIOLINA, ST KILDA
Lockdown has had a different dramatic effect on both our business and family.
We have had to work every day to ‘pivot’ from shut down to take away to reopening, and all that involves – staff, websites, online menus, deliveries, financials, rent, lawyers, accountants.
We closed one business, Ilona Staller, after 10 years at the end of 2020.
It was a tough year, taking it’s toll on us financially and personally. (
We calculate each week of lockdown sets us back at least $100,000, which on paper would take us about a year of full opening to recoup.
Needless to say, we will take years to recoup the pandemic losses.
Government support would be best if was consistent and predictable.
22. BRIDGET BAILEY
HOTEL SORRENTO, SORRENTO
The pandemic has been the most challenging period in Hotel Sorrento’s 150-year history, financially and emotionally.
But it has also created the opportunity for us to adapt our business model.
We are investing in the wellness space, developing a wellness-oriented day spa, gym, yoga studio and offering mindfulness and meditation training – both for guests and team.
We can see that the pandemic has only exacerbated the need for people to prioritise their health.
While we would have never wished for the pandemic, we hope that there is a silver lining for the hospitality and tourism sectors.
As humans, we are hardwired for connection.
Restaurants, cafes, pubs create the platform for people to connect.
Without them, there is an enormous void in our society.
We understand that there is a limit to the financial support that can be provided by Government. All we ask is to be consulted in the decision-making process.
23. ROSEMARY THOMAS
HELLOWORLD, NIDDRIE
It’s exhausting. Everyone has lost all the good will of 12 months ago.
Employers are no longer as supportive of having to balance home schooling along with work and business activities.
We are stressed and on edge 24/7.
I had to remortgage my house to pay out my lease, I’m now having to work a second full time job to pay for last year’s school fees that I couldn’t pay because my business had no income.
Currently my business income loss stands at approx. $500,000k.
I have no super to access. I sold my car, sold furniture and other things. We have nothing left to sell apart from our family home.
We have no savings.
At Christmas my daughter’s school does a drive where each class contributes items and the school distributes hampers to needy families. We had one delivered. It nearly broke me.
We cannot continue on like this.
I’m furious with the Federal Government for ignoring us and pushing everything back on the state government. Enough is enough.
24. NICK KUTCHER
PEPE’S ITALIAN AND LIQUOR & TRUNK DINER, MELBOURNE
Watching my three children struggle through home schooling and the lack of social interaction that came with it, has been heartbreaking. Who knows what ramifications that will have in years to come.
During the lockdowns last year I got to some pretty low points, probably like all other business owners.
I feel a lot more buoyant now, however feel we need a timeline as to when we will be able to avoid going into lockdowns.
I’ve lost one business, Trunk Diner, and I’m not sure if it will ever reopen.
Sadly I have had to let go of around 50 staff and Pepe’s Italian has lost at least $400,000 in stock, overheads and unused rent from various lockdowns.
We need a stronger push with vaccinations and a more definitive answer as to when lockdowns won’t be part of the equation.
25. MARK CARTER
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER
As a single person, no spouse, kids or direct family in Australia, it’s been a different challenge managing long bouts of lockdown where isolation really is felt differently than being constantly under each others feet.
Working in the field of personal development I feel fortunate and well equipped yet even still there are moments where optimism and hope have been severely compromised allowing cracks for anxiety, stress, fear or even depression to creep in.
After 18 months the business of live events especially remains challenging where month on month comparisons are losses of easily 70 – 95 per cent and where savings and investments meant for growth are geared instead towards business survival to remain solvent.
If lockdowns continue in a reactive nature with little certainty I’m sure I’ll find continued opportunities, it’s just the effort and investment in all resources comes at the significant cost of a balanced, healthy lifestyle in pillars of health, social, community and financial well being.
It would be great to see more specifically structured targeted support for scenarios like my own, work impacted regardless my home based state location plus an actual plan with targets and benchmarks of what living with Covid looks like so we can move ahead with travel and events.
26. LOUSIE MAHLER
PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER
As the 2021 Keynote Speaker of Excellence in Australia, my speaking business has been shattered and personally friends have been distanced.
My income was obliterated overnight and it has meant the rebuilding of the coaching part of my business for which I am paid one tenth of my speaking fee.
As a speaker I am not in any category for assistance. As a coach I can continue. I have had to pivot.
Being at the top of my profession I can manage. I feel desperately sorry for those not as established.
It seems everyone has gone into a shell and lost their motivation.
We need cash for events, clear guideline, and a promise of no more snap lockdowns. History shows it will happen. The sooner the better.
27. RACHA SLEIMAN
WILLOW TREE EVENTS, MELBOURNE
The affect of these lockdown has completely crippled our business over the last 16 months.
We have been evicted from our warehouse, forced to move, and put up thousands of dollars in rent and bonds to secure a new location for our business and products.
We have lost between $20,000 and $30,000 in revenue a week during every lockdown.
Our business is based entirely around the gathering of people and there is no way to pivot a business model that is stringent on this.
We continue to suffer the burden of not only lockdowns but the heavy restrictions that follow on from them.
We need taxes waived, we need rent relief, we need land taxed waived, we need a way to move forward.
If we continue to forcibly shut down, the businesses that run the backbone of the economy we will not survive.
28. MARCO DI PIETRANTONIO
ITALICO, SORRENTO
My family have been in the restaurant industry for over 50 years.
Prior to the pandemic, the only time we ever had to close the business was because of Longford gas crisis in 1998. It was a one off.
Now it’s every few months.
The financial cost has been small each time but each time it adds up.
Personally, I have found Lockdown 5 hard.
You think you get more experienced each time we have one, but I think it gets harder to deal with each time.
I think we have completely moved away from the reason we have lockdowns. We have treatments now to save people if they should get seriously ill. We have vaccines.
To be honest I don’t think there are many of us who could cope with a Lockdown 6 or 7. And there won’t many be small businesses left.
29. GEORGE LUCAS
OCEAN MADE SEAFOOD, COLLINGWOOD
Being predominantly wholesalers to restaurants, our business has dropped by 80 per cent so the financial losses are huge.
Not to mention the fresh produce that has gone to waste as we have to order days and weeks in advance.
We will push on and work harder because we have young families and have no choice however we have 50 staff that we would like to continue to keep employed but this situation is making it harder each day.
I go to work and feel depressed that my business is suffering and I can’t give more work to my staff as I have to make sure the business can continue despite such a drop in revenue.
The government needs to understand they cannot put every business under the same umbrella because we are all different.
30. SARA O’CALLAGHAN
BURSARIA – THE REFECTORY IN WERRIBEE PARK, WERRIBEE
Being a mother of 4 small children, I am not sure how you manage small business commitment, home schooling, and other commitments.
Some days we had to get up by 4am to just get to it all done. We are exhausted and to be honest I don’t know how we are standing.
Short lockdown do not exist in our business, once the lockdown is over our business model can’t reopen for weeks until all restrictions are in place for hospitality venues for a number of weeks.
It’s going to take me a long time to recover from Covid-19, the stress has been very overwhelming.
We have had no other option to sell our family home, sell assets and cash in super.
My husband and I are heartbroken to move your children out of there family home and sell assets.
Until the government can do its job with vaccinations and rapid testings at home, they need to stop taxing industry that are affected and provided better financial support packages.
31. SIA PSICHARIS
BEAUTYOLOGIST, ST KILDA EAST
The biggest impact is the absence of physical and in person interaction and therefore support due to the fear surrounding people seeing each other.
Morale and lack of motivation has become progressively worse as lock downs continue.
It has been incredibly challenging.
All we hear is fear, fear, fear, with no positivity. Sadly stress impacts the skin, we have had an increase of dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema as a result.
A lack of treatments results in scarring, spreading and of course this impacts on mental health.
We will reach a point where it will become impossible to trade should this continue.
32. AIDA AND DANIAL GYFTAKIS
BOSS FITNESS FEMALE STUDIO, COOLAROO
Lockdowns mean that our business goes from 100 per cent to zero in moments.
With no ongoing government support and lack of consistent income it has left us financially and mentally strained.
For every week we are closed that’s 100 per centloss of income.
We are closed and cannot operate as we normally do therefore all accounts have to be placed on hold until we have the OK to reopen. T
There is no reprieve for rent reductions as the government has taken this incentive away from our landlords.
Continued lockdowns like this, especially snap lockdowns, will only cause our business to suffer further.
33. ROBYN DAVIES
WOW! TRAVEL, SURREY HILLS NORTH
The travel industry is a resilient collective, but as an industry we are on our knees.
Losses aren’t just financial. Friends, parents, children, grandkids, brothers, sisters, partners, colleagues and just people – I want to see people laughing again.
I miss seeing Australia smile, that smile we are so well known for.
Financially our business is OK but that came at a human cost, we are doing better than some and not as good as others.
If lock down continues, we do what we have done for the past 18 months. We are here for the long haul, we adapt, we pivot, we survive, we just need some common sense by leaders to make our lives less challenging.
Build the quarantine centres, get the people vaccinated, bring back JobKeeper for those that need it most.
34. SUE MCNIECE
ALBERT PARK TRAVEL, ALBERT PARK
All my staff have two jobs. I was lucky enough to get a part time job last year too, as the travel industry has been impacted so badly.
I love being at home as I would normally work 6 days a week and it doesn’t worry me, but working on the laptop is challenging and I miss my clients.
The longer the Travel ban is in place and the border closure remains, the harder it gets.
We need JobKeeper or wage assistance. We need to keep expertise in business.
35. MARK HINKLEY
THE EMERSON, SOUTH YARRA
This lockdown has especially hurt. If it continues, the business will not survive.
The business is losing over $100,000 a week, this in turn effects all our staff.
The lockdowns impact every facet of your life, you need to be a CEO to your shareholders, an HR officer to your staff and a councillor to your family and friends.
The Australian mentality of “she’ll be right” and we will get through this isn’t what we want to hear.
Especially when the premier keeps saying it in every press conference. It’s easy for him to say after he has just giving himself a pay increase, what about all the other small business owners who are shutting down and going broke?
Going to bed every night thinking about how I am going to put dinner on the table for my kids, and in turn how my staff are going to pay their rent, impacts you massively.
The government needs to realise how this effects us mentally in the long term.
36. DAMIEN LISTER AND BART HAMILTON
KRYAL CASTLE, LEIGH CREEK
The true struggle of the business owner in lockdown is not just that we also need the mental strength to fight through our day confined to our homes, but that we do so while also knowing that our passion and livelihood is dying a quiet death with no help from our government.
I can’t sleep because all I can think about is the enormous setback this has afflicted upon my family, staff and business – and the long-term effects of this will stay with me for years.
The impact of Lockdown 5, although supposedly short, will have long lasting effects on the business we are trying to build for the community of Ballarat.
As part of the $6 million refurbishment of the beloved Kryal Castle we have undertaken over the last 6 years – all of which has come from private investment – the major focus was to build a Tudor Village that was the chance to truly revitalise one of Ballarat’s most famous tourist icons and help continue the trend of regional tourism growth.
This lockdown is not only killing small business it is stifling investment in a regional economy that is crying out desperately for it.
37. APRIL BRODIE
BEAUTE – THE FACIAL DESTINATION, DONCASTER
There has been a massive impact of my mental health and there have certainly been some incredibly dark days.
The fear that my entire working life and success business will face closure.
My personal cash is nearly completely gone, my credit cards are maxed out.
Without adequate government support, including complete rental assistance, I really fear for survival.
It’s very hard to pay rent when your income is zero. I have basically had 10 months of zero income.
As a 40-year industry veteran, owning a business for 26 years, I want to continue to trade but we need help, and we need it now.
38. MARY GALANIS
AGEWELL CLINIC
I didn’t receive JobKeeper and have been living off my savings for the last 18 months which are now almost depleted.
I have also accessed my Super. With my savings almost gone, my business will not survive.
I’ve estimated a six month time frame remaining on this business.
My anxiety is high, my mood is low.
This is by far the worst lockdown as I realise our government will keep locking us down at whim.
If they are going to keep locking us down businesses will only survive with cash injections, taxes waived, grants and rent subsidies.
39. AMELIA WALSH
OCEAN BEACH PAVILION, SORRENTO
We have all tried to remain as positive as possible especially supporting multiple staff during lockdowns.
Being able to operate at a reduced takeaway and delivery offering has enabled us to retain staff and offer additional hours to casual employees who would’ve been out of work completely.
This is obviously a loss that all the partners are willing to take but it is not something which can fund forever.
We need to know that there is an end date to this.
We understand the need for this snap lockdown given the contagiousness of the Delta strain.
We’ve pivoted as much as possible however this is not enough to keep the business going mid to long-term.
When lockdown ends then we need all restrictions to be stopped at the same time. We can’t have restrictions lingering in the back ground.
40. LINDA FORSTER
TRAVLIN TRAVEL, KARINGAL
The pandemic has been soul destroying.
Every lock down, no matter where, becomes an extended lockdown time frame when talking about the world of travel.
With nil certainty around travel for 18 months now, and five lockdowns in Victoria, the mere sniff of a lockdown is a real trigger.
If lockdowns continue the damage will continue both financially and personally.
2020 was damage for international bookings lost and 2021 is proving the same for domestic.
We need tailored and direct financial support for the industry nationwide, no matter where lockdowns occur.
We trade in the movement of people so if that is stopped, through no fault of our own, then we need to be supported while we support the consumer.
We need recognition that we can no longer effectively pivot.
41. KARA MAINWARING
AKORA HAIR SALON, KILSYTH
I’m generally a very positive and upbeat person, but these lockdowns have absolutely broken me.
It has been one of the most difficult times in my life.
I felt lonely, I felt lost and stuck in a place where there was absolutely nothing I could do to help myself.
I felt extreme anxiety from the fear of losing my business.
I tried to set up an online shop but unfortunately that didn’t even cover 10 per cent of my overheads.
Having to survive on personal savings to get by has now set me back financially.
If these lockdowns continue I can’t see how businesses will survive.
The amount of hours and overtime to catch up is overwhelming and not achievable in our industry.
We need a clear pathway so we know how long we are in lockdown.
We always seem to have to wait until the very last day to know if there is an extension. We need more clarity and more support financially or the government can say goodbye to small business in Victoria.
42. JOSH ZUKER
JOSH ZUKER TRAVEL, HAMPTON
Along with the loss of my office space I have lost $4 million turnover in 12 months, and refunded $1.8 million to date.
The figures are always hard to hear, and every time I say them I am brought to tears.
Lockdown will mean a full closure of my company.
I have had to sell my personal home to pay back debt, however, this was not enough still.
Living in debt and still finding myself explaining the situation to lenders has now become a joke.
A new version of JobKeeper needs to be introduced because many businesses are working for free.
As travel agents we are still working online, around the clock in the hope to help our clients.
43. ABBIE SIEGEL
PAINT ‘N POWDER, ROYAL ARCADE
I have never been a stress head but the pressure on myself and my 84-year old elderly father who co-owns the business has grown to such a level it is hard to cope. We have never been so broken.
My mental health ebbs and flows and my fuse is becoming shorter and shorter and the worry is having a real impact on my father.
As we are CBD based it’s never two or three weeks of lockdown, it’s another 6 to 8 weeks as we wait for people to come back to the city.
Financially the lockdown has been crippling, we have always had money but now we are in debt and it grows everyday as we throw it into the business.
We understand the health reasons, but what we cannot understand is the lack of support from the government.
If we have to close we have to close, but we must be adequately compensated so as not to place our business, which has operated for over 50-years at risk.
44. MICHELLE PALMER
MODERN CURRENCY, MALVERN
Lockdown has caused not just financial stress, mental health concern and ongoing life anguish, but also impacted confidence for the immediate and long-term future.
Not being able to plan effectively for business forecasts; the angst created the lack of interaction with loved ones and colleagues; to not co-operate in usual daily life – the impact is immeasurable and unfathomable.
Every time we lockdown, I hold my breath waiting for the emails to come in about contracts going on hold, or being told we can no longer provide our services as our support to business, cannot be afforded.
As we service many of the industries impacted by Covid-19, including hospitality, tourism, beauty/wellness, events and retail, each lockdown ruins any confidence, provides increased anxiety and brings us closer to the brink of needing to find new ways forward.
45. SAMANTHA RICKINSON
G’DAY PARKS, ARARAT
As an accommodation provider our business has been hit very hard.
We can only accept essential workers and tourism grinds to a halt.
We’ve been forced to dig into our superannuation, drawing out $40,000, we’ve used savings, deferred loans and used line of credit funds to keep paying the bills.
The compensation from the government is grossly inadequate.
With a young family, it’s devastating to watch everything you’ve worked hard for just disappear.
It’s had a huge impact on our financial security and well being.
We are now looking at options to get out of the business and cut our losses.
Lockdowns must stop, the cash support is about 15 per cent of what we lose.
We should be fully compensated for what we lose. The same industries are belted every time in the name of keeping people safe, and we need support that reflects that.
46. GLORIA ANING
LITTLE POP UPS EVENTS
The impact of lockdown for my business and my family has been completely debilitating, and has had a long term effect on our mental and physical wellbeing.
My business will take years to recover from the financial stress we have suffered.
I’m scared of the unknown and for my children’s future that I worked so hard to build, and this has just ripped everything from us.
If lockdown continues or another lockdown occurs I’m not sure if we could financially sustain to go on.
We have been in business six years and this may be the end for us as it’s crushing all our dreams and we physically, mentally and financially won’t have the means to go on.
47. SOPHIE FROIDEVAUX
APTITUDE FITNESS CENTRE, MORNINGTON
I think every business can survive ‘one more week’.
But the issue is this isn’t the last lockdown, the tactics haven’t changed, the lockdown method hasn’t gotten better, we are still using the exact same tactic as we did in the first lockdown.
It has proven over and over again to be crippling for people’s financial, physical, emotional and mental health.
It doesn’t work.
And until the system changes, the lockdowns will continue to destroy Victoria.
Something has to change and it starts at the top.
My gym will not survive another lockdown without going into arrears and defaulting.
I am a single mum with no financial support or family to lean on .;
I have poured $40,000 of savings into the business.
This is the end of the road.
48. KATIE GRAHAM
THE FAMILY LOVE TREE, PRAHRAN
I have three businesses: a retail store, cafe and co-working space.
Two are closed and our cafe operated on takeaway only.
My husband also has his own business in film production and his film shoots are all postponed until the lockdown is over.
I feel stronger and less stressed this time than previous lockdowns, as I have come to terms with the fact this is completely out of my control.
But my businesses have all lost significant revenue, and future projects have been either postponed or cancelled.
I am already looking at the future, factoring in more lockdowns, and will be assessing all options, for example, whether to close one of the businesses and restructure and reorganise the other two.
If the lockdown continues in Victoria, I would expect that the Federal Government would step in and assist with further grants to cover loss of revenue.
With the 5th lockdown, small businesses in Victoria have lost confidence, and this support would allow us to continue operating, so we can reopen our doors.
49. GRY TOMTE
HUD SKIN & BODY, ST KILDA
We have lost about $2.3 million in turnover during the nine months our industry has been closed.
You do the maths! My retirement savings are gone. Just so I can keep my business and team alive.
I have suffered from extreme anxiety and have had to resort to taking medication.
Unfortunately the constant pressure to not only make ends meet for me and my family, but also to look after our clients who suffer with skin conditions, and my team who all have bills to pay and families to support, has been too much to bare at times.
If lockdowns continue and there’s no further assistance from the government I’m afraid my otherwise robust business won’t survive.
50. CARLOS SALIBA
VICTOR SUPPER CLUB, WODONGA
Lockdown forced us to close the business as it was not viable. Our expenses outweighed our revenue, and it was too stressful to navigate all the changes.
First I had to take $10,000 out of my super to keep the doors open.
The bank would not offer any support other than moratorium on payment which affected my credit ratings.
Our turnover was supposed to be over $1.5 million, we didn’t even make it to $400,000.
If lockdowns continue, more businesses will close.
We need real business support, not just talk.
The hospitality industry is suffering.
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