Businesses in the events and wedding sectors are struggling as more and more events and festivals are cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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Among the large-scale events cancelled in the central Victoria region this year are the Bendigo Easter Fair, Elmore Field Days and Maryborough Energy Breakthrough.
Bendigo Party Hire manager Rob Clohesy said up to 95 per cent of their normal turnover had been cancelled. He said he can't see the business getting an event until 2021.
"Every major event in Bendigo, we've lost all that," he said. "There's not a lot of light at end of tunnel yet. I can't see us doing a job until next year. There's no way known the government will open too much in September or October.
"In the rush to Christmas we might get a few parties but it's all up in the air. We're treading water and hoping JobKeeper keeps going, which by sound of things it will but it's not finalised."
Among the major events Bendigo Party Hire have lost are the Bendigo Winegrowers Festival, the Bendigo Easter Fair, Relay for Life, Heathcote Winery Festival, the Bee Keepers Conference, Elmore Field Days, the Blokes Biggest Lunch, the Murray Water Conference and Maryborough's Energy Breakthrough.
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Mr Clohesy said all football finals had also been cancelled along with private bookings such as 21st birthdays, backyard functions and at least 16 weddings.
There's no positives at this stage. Light at end of the tunnel? At this stage there is no light. Our busy season is from October to April next year, I just can't see that happening at this stage.
- Rob Clohesy
"We've really been hit hard. As soon as the Australian Grand Prix was called off, our phone went red hot (with people) cancelling events," he said.
"There's no positives at this stage. Light at end of the tunnel? At this stage there is no light. Our busy season is from October to April next year, I just can't see that happening at this stage.
"I don't think the government will release any big numbers for a weddings or anything like that."
The wedding sector has also seen huge amounts of cancellations and postponement as engaged couples reconsider how and when they will say their nuptials.
Fifi&Edga owner Catherine Anyon has been designing wedding dresses in her View Street boutique for four years.
This year has seen a dramatic decline in the amount of dresses being ordered.
"Ninety per cent of the girls (I had) this year postponed," Ms Anyon said."There are still some going ahead but that could change. It's definitely a lot quieter than normal. We're busy on Saturdays and fully booked at the moment but the fear is people don't really know if they can have the weddings they wanted."
Ms Anyon said the uncertainty around the number of guest that could be permitted at weddings meant people were re-evaulating when they wold tie the knot.
"It isn't really the wedding most people wold plan," she said.
"People are definitely still seeking dresses and, depending on long-term restrictions, the kind of dress people want may change.
"When restrictions first came in, many didn't think it would get this bad. Some people are now feeling like they need to get on top (postponing) straight away, in case things happen, so there are delays in ordering (material).
"But we don't have a crystal ball. It's best to know you're organised with a dress but the flip side is some are too scared to commit because they don't know (what future restrictions will be)."
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Mr Clohesy said Bendigo Party Hire has reduced its opening hours and staff were working less days due to a lack of events.
"After talking to some of our competitors in Swan Hill, and Echuca, they're exactly the same. All half days and three-and-a-half days a week," he said.
"Across our two sites, we have eight full time staff and four or five casuals. It's a small but decent number. We're all on JobKeeper, with our part timers being here for over 12 months.
"We don't want to spend any money because we don't know how long this is going to go on for. But there are still power bills, WorkCover, gas, rent - we get a subsidy on that. But we need a few relief packages from government to help on business side of things."
Ms Anyon said she was determined to ensure her business wouldn't close during the pandemic.
"I will do everything I can for that not to happen. I should be able to get away with not closing," she said.
"There are so many great regional places you can go to get wedding dresses.We are all here to help. It's a stressful time for brides and we're open and welcome everyone to (visit) whether it's for a wedding dress or other something else."