North Hobart businesses unite to ‘move forward’ after fatal stabbing of shopkeeper Voula Delios
Shopkeepers and traders in North Hobart are taking steps to form an official association after the distressing death of local store owner Voula Delios.
Mrs Delios was killed while working in her Elizabeth Street convenience shop just over a week ago.
Claremont man Daryl Royston Wayne Cook, 34, has been charged with her murder and aggravated armed robbery, and is due to appear in court at the end of next month.
John Kelly, who owns the State Cinema across the road from the Delios family business, said about 30 local traders met last Friday to regroup.
“This is such a tight community, it’s not a tourist precinct in North Hobart – customers are primarily local people or from the surrounding suburbs,” he said.
“For this to happen in such a quiet, tight-knight trading community… is just unbelievable, it’s very hard to accept and understand.
“There’s a lot of trauma, and sadness, and anger. We’re all coming to terms with it, and it will take quite some time.”
Tasmania Police also attended the meeting to speak with business owners about safety.
The use of security cameras and an appropriate police presence was discussed.
“As a community, we’ve got to be aware and support one another, we’ve got to act united,” Mr Kelly said.
Restaurant strip still ‘a safe place’
The Elizabeth Street trading strip is characterised by small businesses and many traders live onsite or in the neighbourhood.
“We proposed to, as much as we all don’t have the time or the liking to have meetings, we’ve got to do that,” Mr Kelly said.
“We’ll formally form a traders’ association.”
He said most local shopkeepers and staff knew Mrs Delios, who had worked in her store for more than 30 years, and were in need of support from the community.
“Moving forward, North Hobart still is and always will be a community and a very safe place,” he said.
“Now is the time that North Hobart traders do need support. It’s great to have people come and try to get on with their lives as best as normal, and that will help with the whole healing process moving forward.”
A funeral was held on Saturday for Mrs Delios who was remembered as a kind and hardworking woman, and much-loved member of the community.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-31/north-hobart-businesses-unite-after-voula-delios-stabbing/7675864
