Compared to our Market on May 15th when it hailed and we needed to be in the carpark Saturday was cold and cloudy but thankfully there was no rain or hail. On arrival at 6:00am the temperature was 10.9⁰. As we packed up at 12:30pm the temperature reached its highest for the entire day at 13.1⁰.
The Market was run under strict COVID -19 protocols as directed by the Department of Health via the City of Boroondara. QR Codes were efficiently supplied for our use by the Council and those Patrons without mobile phones or unable to use them were required to manually sign in before entry to Patterson Reserve.Masks were mandatory and sanitiser was provided at both entry gates and on a table outside the ‘portaloos’ in addition to anti-bacterial wipes at that location. COVID safe signage was on display at both entrances with social distancing encouraged. Many Patrons and Stallholders expressed appreciation that the Market was operating and willingly complied with Stage 3 requirements. It would be correct to describe the atmosphere as positive and supportive.
There was a temporary setback early in the morning where the electronic sign at the corner of Auburn and Toorak Roads was flashing that the Market had been cancelled. Someone from the signage company had without any authorisation wrongly made that call. Whilst we unsuccessfully physically tried to turn the sign around so that it could not be seen, a correction was soon made by the company using it's remote function. Thank you Nickie Wainwright for so quickly getting in touch with the company to force the correction. Both my Co-Chair Rob Winspear and I were grateful that Nick Lund – Manager Liveable Communities, City of Boroondara visited the Market, observed the Covid Safety protocols in action plus, discussed with us the potential use of a power box at the southern end of Patterson Reserve. It has multi benefits if approved for use. It will provide a way to reposition some Stalls requiring power at the southern end of Patterson Reserve and, provide an in situ power source for Stallholders when we need to use the carpark as a contingency during bad weather. Importantly it will obviate the need to pay extra for the hire of a generator.
I thank the following Rotary Volunteers. Robert Winspear thank you for directing Stallholders to their Sites. Wayne Worladge thank you for arriving early again at 6:00am to help us set up. Thank you to the Captain of the Early Shift David Fallick and his team of Mike Berry, Carol Benson and Alex Marshall. Thank you also to the Captain of the Late Shift Tim Gale, Richard Blakeman along with both Bob Lambert and Susie White from CHANCES. Robert Hogan and Miffy Hogan thank you for consistently overseeing the Roster, Thelma Hutchison we much appreciated you bringing the Square Reader down to the Market early, and look forward to you programming a second one for Market use on June 5th.
John Suriano Farmers Market Treasurer thank you for doing the invoicing and persistent payment follow-up.
Our financial result for 29/5/2021 was as follows:-
Stallholders (51) $3,825.00
Customers (729*) $1,457.85
Total for Day $5,282.85
*Rounded
Next Boroondara Farmers Market: Saturday, June 5th, 2021.
Ian Salek
Farmers Market Secretary and Co- Chair.