A pillar of the Cobram community, the company made the heartbreaking decision to strip back to skeleton staff on March 13 after events drawing crowds of more than 500 were banned.
“(It is a) day that will be forever be etched in the memories of all in the events, hospitality and travel industries,” Bourke Hire owner Fiona King said.
“It all happened so quickly and is so devastating for all in our industry.
“The hardest part for us is having to let our staff go. They are like our family and we are gutted to lose them.”
Ms King said the event industry had been “obliterated” by the Covid-19 crisis.
“While the situation is only escalating, we were in the frontline, we were the first ones hit,” she said.
Bourke Hire is a major supplier to events across regional Victoria and southern NSW.
March is the busiest month of the year for the event industry and 2020 was set to be no exception.
“People often say, ‘You must be so busy at Christmas time’. That’s actually not the case – this week was supposed to be our busiest and now we have nothing,” Ms King said.
“We were due to supply a major event for the CFA in Mooroopna, APS Heads of the River, Farmworld Field Days and a private event for over 10 000 people, just to name a few.
“The largest event we supply – The Australian Sheep and Wool Show normally held in July – will most probably not go ahead.
“We supply more than 6000 sqm of marquees to this event annually.”
Ms King said many were not aware of the vast support Bourke Hire offered to the Cobram community.
“Bourke Hire have been in existence for over 50 years and have generously supported our local community,” Ms King said.
“We have averaged sponsorship and donations of $35 000 per year to more than 200 community, not for profit and local charities.”
The company has also employed many permanent and casual staff.
“Many local boys have had their first work experience at Bourke Hire during their school holidays,” Ms King said.
“We’ve also been the first port of call for any new sports players who come to town looking for a job.
“The sports clubs always come to us, and we’ve employed countless cricket, soccer and footy imports. Some have come from as far as England and still haven’t gone home.”
While the company is now reduced to skeleton staff for the coming months, they are hopeful they will be back in full operation before long.
“Planning is currently underway for major events they supply later in the year, including Henty Machinery Field Days, Elmore Machinery Field Days, Energy Breakthrough Challenge and more,” Ms King said.
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