Whycheproof Coping with COVID-19

 

  This important topic was informed to us by  Ann Durie (pictured on left)  a resident of Wycheproof who has been a long standing friend of our Club

She joined us on Zoom and gave us this interesting  following information

                                                        

Interestingly there are no covid 19 cases in this town or the whole of the Buloke Shire    

This is probably due to the fact that  many residents able to work from home. The Hospital is in  lockdown , and does not allow  visitors

Farming which is the main activity of Wycheproof is going along as normal  but farmers miss the pub and the ability  to chat to other farmers. There have been better rains this year so we are hoping for a good harvest year.

 

What about the businesses.  Some have remained open as are essential services like bulk fuel , hardware , chemist , supermarket , post office etc.      As mentioned pubs are suffering but they are doing meals for takeaway. The Bakery has closed but may open in  June . The Bakery relies on passing  trade . An important goal is to keep staff safe .    Baking is done fortnightly for locals .
Social distancing has been the norm . This involves  limiting  of customers in shops.
Initially people came from out of town came to raid supermarket for toilet paper etc .Then  buses were stopped from entering the town  and  stock was hidden to ensure supply for the  locals   . Police presence is evident -They can be seen  driving around all streets
 

Sport certainly plays a huge part of country life Many are missing the weekly matches  and Businesses miss out on flow on that this brings. There is also an online yoga for those interested and there is a service to provide books etc to elderly . As the hours are reduced they fill the gap by connecting on the internet.

The school is providing excellent services to students and they also provide catering for children of the essential workers .
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The Men’s Shed and op shop are closed now except that the  Men’s shed opened last Friday selling kindling

 

The  Nursery opened up again to assist the  many who are doing gardening in spare time .

 

There is also a  Resource centre which  helps the many who can’t get out of their house . They also provide flyers to help people understand what is happening.

We recall how our Rotary Club of Keilor has for many years provided support to the community in Wycheproof, Wycheprproof is a small regional locality in the centre of the Shire of Buloke, in North Western Victoria. It has a population of   600 people       The name Wycheproof originates from an aboriginal word meaning 'grass on a hill', referring to Mount Wycheproof just off the Calder Highway, which is the smallest registered mountain in the world standing at 148 metres. The economy of Wycheproof is driven mainly by wheat but the prolonged drought had brought many challenges to this community. A few years ago our  P.P.David Bourke came up with a fabulous idea to bring the students and teachers from Wycheproof P-12 College to Melbourne for an overnight camp and visit to Healesville Sanctuary. Significant funds have been raised to achieve this and support from ten Rotary Clubs, local business and community leaders gave one hundred and twenty children a life enriching experience.