Open for Business

AFTER a tough few weeks, Pomonal and Halls Gap have reopened their doors to visitors this week after authorities declared the Grampians bushfire contained.

Local businesses were upbeat when the Advocate visited yesterday morning despite many losing tens of thousands of dollars in lost trade due to road closures.

In Pomonal, the general store, Barney’s Bistro, Kerri’s Kreations and Pomonal Estate all opened their doors on Wednesday, although trade is still quiet as the tourists slowly trickle back to Halls Gap.

Pip and Adam Atchison’s Pomonal Estate is open to receive visitors eager to experience the winery’s cellar door, renowned menu, and new villa accommodation.

Next weekend the Estate hosts an afternoon show from celebrated Hong Kong / Canadian multi-instrumentalist Tennyson King, whose joyous indie-folk has made him a favourite on the live circuit.

Pep Atchison said it was good to see people return.

“It has been an interesting couple of weeks and and interesting year, literally, but it was amazing yesterday we opened and had 60 people through. It’s less than we’d normally have but people came out to support us,” she said.

Kerrie Fry from Kerri’s Kreations was hopeful things would soon return to normal.

“I’m just happy to be back to work and a normal life again. It would be good to see some more customers, an income would be great,” she said.

Anita Evans from local jam and preserves business Five Duck Farms said she had plenty of stock and just needed the return of customers.

“We often have people coming out of Halls Gap calling into Pomonal. The last few weeks has been empty, absolutely empty, tumbleweeds down the main street.

“We’ve got lots of product to sell, we’re making fresh icecream today,” Anita said.

Popular local venue Barney’s has remained open to feed locals, but owner Col Macaffer said getting vistors back will be a huge boost.

“We opened up last night (Wednesday) and we only had about 20 bookings but had about 100 through the door, mostly locals.

“We want people to come back and give us their support,” he said.

Pomonal General Store proprietor Nadya Miller said reopening the roads to tourists will help the whole community.

“I’m ok here but the other businesses really need tourism to keep their doors open,” she said.

Mayor Jo Armstrong said reopening the roads to the Grampians is the first step towards recovery.

“Barney’s, Pomonal Estate, and Pomonal’s other local businesses are indispensable to the life and economy of our community,” she said.

“They’ve done wonderful work taking care of volunteers, alongside demonstrating their own personal tenacity and passion for this region. Visiting Pomonal and its businesses is the best possible way of celebrating the township’s reopening,” she said.