Market bustle finally returns

The bustle of market day will return to Drouin on Saturday following a six-month suspension.

A Drouin Rotary Club project, Drouin has come alive on the third Saturday of the month for “market day” across many years.

Organising committee chairman Roger Playdon said Rotary members had been busy preparing for the reopening of its community produce and craft market to be held in Young St between 8am and 1pm.

An attempt was made to recommence the market in June before restrictions were imposed and it was again suspended.

“With the exception of June, it has been six months since we have seen the bustling Drouin market, and many stallholders and local residents have missed having the event during lockdown,” Mr Playdon said.

He said many vendors had expressed pleasure at being able to get back into the swing of things.

Mr Playdon said wearing masks was a must and all necessary precautions would be in place to adhere to government health and social distancing guidelines.

Rotary members will be on duty to administer hand sanitiser and ensure required social distancing is being observed.

The barbecue will operate as usual, with standards and sanitisation in place.

Drouin Rotary Club president Russell Ford said the market was a not-for-profit community activity operated by volunteers. This month’s proceeds will go to Longwarry Food Bank to assist its services, supply meals to deserving people in the Drouin and Longwarry districts, as well as to help homeless people in Warragul.