“You can see how it’s taking a massive mental toll and we’re not focusing on that. So, I want to help make sure they’re not stressed, particularly not stressed and not eating.”
With events cancelled for the foreseeable future, bars shut and breweries look to save money wherever they can, the scale of those in the beer and hospitality industries losing their jobs is terrifying and is set to keep climbing.
Deb Lieu and James Balboni are among those who have lost work as businesses close but, after finding themselves unemployed, they banded together to try to support others in the industry. Together, they launched a GoFundMe campaign on March 21 to raise money to help feed those who had lost their jobs; by the time of publication, this had already gone past $3,000.
Many will have enjoyed the beautifully-crafted and delicious cookies from Deb Lieu Bakes in the past, often brewed for special events or for beer businesses, while James has worked in both repping and bar roles in Melbourne. Deb (who we've featured on the site in the past) says both of them were keen to work out how they could support those around them given they suddenly had a little extra time on their hands.
“James was going stir crazy and put it out there that if anyone needed or wanted anything they should contact him,” Deb says. And so it began.
They'll spend much of next week creating support packs for those in hospitality who need them. What's more, since launching the campaign, suppliers have been quick to offer assistance too.
St George's Bakery, Babe's Eggs, 400 Gradi, Gumtree Good Good, La Manna and Footscray's Pie Thief are all helping the pair keep costs to a minimum and they've even managed to secure some precious toilet paper from Chef’s Hat.
UPDATE MARCH 31: Due to increased restriction on social gatherings, the food packages will now be delivery via contact-free drop-offs from Thursday (April 2) to Saturday (April 4). To receive a delivery, please fill out this form to help the team plan their deliveries.
Deb says a lot of the donations have come from those she’s met in the beer world, but she’s keen to reach out to as many people as she can.
“Most of the donors are people I’ve had beers with and some beer workers,” Deb says. “I’ve put my phone number everywhere. I don’t care about my privacy, just get them to call me.”
If you're a food supplier and can help Deb and James on their mission, get in contact through their GoFundMe page. Head to that page for any further announcements too.
As part of the #keepinglocalalive campaign we hope to run a Postcards from the Edge story every day, highlighting the ways in which people are adapting to survive. If you've got a story you think is suitable – or have something to add to the campaign resources – drop us a line.
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
-
Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
-
Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
-
Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
