Williamstown’s yacht clubs and businesses have thrown a lifeline to Santorini Greek restaurant after its chimney caught fire.
Restaurant owners Craig and Claire Turton say the community support in the wake of the blaze had enabled them to stay in business preparing and delivering food.
“As the fire was being dealt with, the first call I got was from Royal Yacht Club of Victoria who let us use their coolroom and freezer as we would have lost thousands of dollars of stock,“ Mr Turton said.
“Then that night, I spoke to Rod Austin from Hobsons Bay Yacht Club who without hesitation said we could operate from their kitchen for as long as we needed.
“This was supported by their Commodore, Colin Orchard, who also called me.
“This basically saved us and the next day we were doing takeaway deliveries from Hobsons Bay Yacht Club and still are.“
Santorini is using the club’s kitchen and roasting lamb out the back on a spit donated by Westgate Party Hire in Newport.
Mr Turton said the Prince Albert Hotel had also offered use its facilities.
“We got so many calls and messages of support,“ he said.
“We also found our locals supported us by ordering food to keep us busy.
“Much of the business relationship and spirit is an outcome of the Williamstown Seaport Festival, as this was the first time most of the waterfront business community had worked together and this event built an incredible relationship between clubs and businesses.
“We’ve also found, and it’s a lesson to other local business, if you support the local community as we have over the years, when you need it they will support you.
“Hobsons Bay does have a heart and we survived due to it.“
