Coronavirus may not yet have hit the Eurobodalla Shire, but clubs and events have taken a blow as they comply with federal government requirements.
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Despite cancellations, clubs are mostly positive, and are getting creative.
In a stroke of luck, keeping your distance is easy on the golf course, Moruya Golf Club CEO Josh Prowse says.
The club has faced a 90 per cent cancellation of functions this week, including regular bookings.
"Visitation has dropped off dramatically," Mr Prowse said. People are limited to 100 in a room and there is extra cleaning and sanitising, he said.
"Ensuring people are healthy and safe is our main priority," he said.
We've got to be positive ...
- Josh Prowse - Moruya Golf Club
Contactless payments, online golf bookings and takeaway food are the new norm.
Mr Prowse said golfers could distance themselves from others on the course, but spend healthy time outside and socialise.
"It's an open environment," he said. "You can only play golf in a maximum group of four and it isn't often you're all in the one spot."
He said to avoid contact, members waved "hello" when they entered, and non-members booked online then verbally identified themselves before teeing off.
"You don't have to exchange anything," Mr Prowse said.
He is concerned about the pandemic, but has accepted "there's no point worrying about things you can't control". He said the club was updated regularly.
"We're waiting directives from the government and will readjust our operations as necessary," he said. "We've got to be positive."
We're trying to keep the business ticking over and trying to keep people employed and safe
- Paul Biddlestone - Batemans Bay Soldiers Club
Batemans Bay Soldiers Club CEO Paul Biddlestone said all promotions, bingo, raffles, entertainment and sub club gatherings were suspended.
"We take our commitment to the community seriously; we have an elderly population and they are highest at risk," he said. "We're trying to keep the business ticking over and trying to keep people employed and safe."
The Eurobodalla Disaster Relief Centre remained open and he said the club was now more a service provider than an entertainer: "The socialising side has been curbed significantly. Unfortunately, that's part of the consequence so we won't attract people and put themselves at adverse risk."
He asked people to be compliant and respect separation rules: "It's not an easy time; there's no precedent. Don't take it lightly," he said.
The economic impact is huge, it's a massive health issue and we're expecting a significant downturn ...
- Grant Dempster - Moruya Bowling Club
"We've got strong policies through the organisation and the board and we're sticking to it." He said the club was supporting all staff.
Moruya Bowling Club has extra health and safety measures during the crisis.
Manager Grant Dempster said tables were 1.5 metres apart, gloves were being used in the kitchen and the self-help cutlery was now hand-wrapped and given to customers.
"We're taking it seriously," he said. "The economic impact is huge, it's a massive health issue and we're expecting a significant downturn in revenue.
"People are still coming in but not the volume, such as Canberra people who have been coming down and supporting us after the bushfires."
Competition bowls have been suspended under Bowls Australia guidelines, yet the greens were open for anyone who wanted a socially distant roll.
You have to look on the bright side - otherwise it will scare people like it did with the fires
- Stephen Hodge - Tuross Head Country Club
Residents at Tuross Head have had mixed reactions to the pandemic. Tuross Head Country Club manager Stephen Hodge said many were "taking shelter", choosing not to visit.
"The Carers Group had 15-20 people coming in, which is now down to 10," Mr Hodge said.
"With golf, there are normally 60-70 people - that's down by half."
Mr Hodge said extra staff were hired to keep the club clean during peak times: "We are doing everything we can to keep the place clean and safe."
Mr Hodge said it was rare for more than 100 people to gather in the club and its doors would remain open.
"You have to look on the bright side - otherwise it will scare people like it did with the fires," he said.
Mr Hodge is well-known for lightening the mood. Whilst hoping the virus doesn't hit his elderly demographic, "if it does come to Tuross, there's going to be two-thirds of the population gone and very cheap houses," he laughed.
