The shut down of pubs and clubs due to COVID-19 has been heavily felt in the Shoalhaven.
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Not only by the businesses themselves, the many people who are employed locally and the many patrons who frequent the establishments.
For well-known club boss Garry Wilbraham it has been extremely tough.
Wilbraham, now considered a veteran of the local club scene, has been in the industry for 42 years and secretary manager of the Bomaderry Bowling Club for 34 years.
But he has the added pressure of overseeing four local operations - under the Bomaderry Bowling Club banner is also the Berry Bowling Club, Bomaderry RSL Club and the Nowra Golf Club.
"All four operations are closed, even the golf course as per the government's instructions," he said.
"We probably could have kept the golf course open but we erred on the side of caution for health reasons, we're not advising members to be out there and definitely not our staff."
Over the four operations there are 120 employees, including of 32 permanent staff members, six permanent-part time and 77 casual staff.
For the man who's signature saying is "never seen it brighter" Wilbraham admits it's "tough times".
"I'm confident if everyone toes the line and does what we are told we can come out the other side," he said.
"It's a tough time not just for us but all in the club industry and all businesses, especially small business.
"There are other, bigger clubs that have bigger issues. It's not only our industry that is hurting. For small business this is extremely tough - but we can get through this.
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"Like most people I've never come across anything like this - this is new ground.
"Our staff have all been great, very understanding of the issues. Naturally they are concerned about their futures. We fully understand that.
Tough times. But I'm confident if everyone toes the line and does what we are told we can come out the other side.
- Secretary manager of the Bomaderry Bowling Club,Berry Bowling Club, Bomaderry RSL Club and the Nowra Golf Club, Garry Wilbraham.
"We're doing everything we can. The staff have been stood down as against being terminated. And all staff will remain on our books and will have jobs when we come out the other side.
"Our industry has been flexible over the years - we faced issues over smoking, drink driving and the introduction of courtesy buses - we had overcome these things. We are fairly resilient as a group.
"I'm confident we can come out of this as well.
"The state government has deferred our poker machine tax which is a big lifeline. That gives us some breathing space."
He said the banks had already spoken to the club about possible relief.
We're doing everything we can. The staff have been stood down as against being terminated. And all staff will remain on our books and will have jobs when we come out the other side.
- Secretary manager of the Bomaderry Bowling Club,Berry Bowling Club, Bomaderry RSL Club and the Nowra Golf Club, Garry Wilbraham
"Our closing has wider ramifications - it means a lot of the things we provide across the four clubs also stop - things like entertainment, that's all cancelled; our advertising has finished; our regular orders to suppliers like butchers, bakers etc have all ended - even the guys who pick up the rubbish," he said.
"Tough times but the board is looking to the future and making those difficult decisions so we can all come out the other side."
He said there were never any thoughts of turning any of the club's catering facilities into takeaway options.
"Takeaway is not our business," he said.
"And that would just effect other takeaway establishments who are already established and entitled to that service."
Eleven staff remain working across the four clubs, but Mr Wilbraham says he can see that reducing further in coming weeks.
"We have four greenkeepers who continue to work, at advisable separation distances, to keep the golf course and bowling greens to the standard they need to be kept at," he said.
Our industry has been flexible over the years and is are fairly resilient group - we've faced issues over smoking, drink driving and the introduction of courtesy buses - we had overcome these things. I'm confident we can come out of this as well.
- Secretary manager of the Bomaderry Bowling Club,Berry Bowling Club, Bomaderry RSL Club and the Nowra Golf Club, Garry Wilbraham
"We have four administration staff, including myself and three utility staff.
"I envisage I will even be reducing to probably one day a week in the very near future."
But he remains optimistic.
"I'm very confident we can come out the other side with good sensible decisions and if everyone does everything right."
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