‘‘It's going to be a struggle to walk off the base for good,’’ Richmond RAAF Base business owner Trevor Smith told the Gazette as he held back tears.
Time is ticking for Trevor and Linda Smith who are about to be thrown off base by the Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS) after they were told in March that their licence wouldn’t be renewed.
The couple and their daughter Rachel have been running the RAAF Base Post Office and general store there for the past six years but now have until June 30 before the government-owned business enterprise takes over.
The decision has sparked outrage both on and off base with thousands campaigning and creating online petitions to save the Smiths from losing their business.
They are among dozens of post offices, newsagencies, takeaways, coffee shops and general stores at RAAF bases across the country which are set to be thrown out.
Mr Smith said the decision could potentially leave the family with nothing, as the ‘‘mum and dad store’’ was intended to set them up for retirement.
‘‘We have invested our life savings, including our home into building up the business,’’ Mr Smith said. ‘‘This is our only source of income, meaning we will be unable to meet financial commitments such as house repayments.
‘‘We’ve done absolutely nothing wrong to be kicked out. It’s heart-breaking because we have established strong ties with the defence community on base and have become part of the fabric. This is our home away from home.’’
AAFCANS has refused to comment to the Gazette, claiming it is subject to ‘‘legal confidentiality discussions’’.
However, when the couple asked AAFCANS boss Stewart McGrow what they had done wrong, they said they were told it was purely a decision based on AAFCANS moving in a new direction.
At a meeting with the board on March 27, the Smiths were told they would not be paid for their licences nor given compensation.
The AAFCANS mission statement on the website states it ‘‘aims to support local base communities and investigate new business opportunities which will ultimately benefit members and their families.’’
Many base personnel believe that no other business could provide the same service as the Smiths and have taken to Facebook to express anger.
One RAAF member said: ‘‘big businesses need to stop bullying and forcing smaller businesses out’’.
Neighbouring barber Gregory Brown said the Smiths went above and beyond to provide customer service and help when possible.
He described them as hardworking and good people who don’t deserve this treatment.
AAFCANS has granted an extra six months’ trading to those businesses which agree to the termination. That option is not being given to those who wish to contest their termination, or ask to have their licence renewed.
An Australia Post spokesperson said it would offer support to the Smiths but unless the issue was resolved, the postal service would be lost from the base.