Emerald Market Transition
Emerald Community House has been given the management of the Emerald Market which has been re-shaped and reduced by the Covid-19 restrictions. We thank Non for her tireless commitment as a volunteer to run the market for over a decade with the help and support of ECH Committee and staff. We will do our best to work with the new online management system that has been given to us and try to keep you informed of changes. We ask for your patience while we are in this transition and gain some training from Non.
With two other weekend markets operating in Emerald alone, the local market dollar is being stretched more than ever. Community funds raised by the market have been cut in half and expenses have increased. Visitors and locals alike may also be confused as to which market is running on which weekend. Volunteer helpers are harder than ever to come by to help with set up, coordination, COVID spacing, cleaning, traffic management, database management and site clean-up. Covid-19 has added an extra layer of responsibility for all market organizers. Some markets have closed across the state, unable to continue with a viable operation. Traffic issues have also impacted the continuation of local markets.
While the Emerald Market was hurried into action to support the needs of stall holders for the Christmas and summer 2021 period, the current limits of volunteers, available staff, traffic management and constrained layout will need some thought to determine the market future. We will be surveying stall holders for feedback because your opinion is an important contribution to our decision making. Currently we are not accepting new stallholders for the most part until we come to a decision about the market.
If anyone feels that they have received an email in error in regards to the market management system, please call ECH on 5968 3881 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 10am and 3pm or leave a message after hours. Alternatively, email emhouse@iinet.net.au .
All the best,
ECH Market Team