Yolla is a small town on Tasmania's north-west coast with just 286 residents, but while it's small in population, it's big on ideas.
When the local grocery store closed just under a year ago, joining the closures of the post office and cafe, the Yolla Pharmacy stepped in to fill the gap.
The pharmacy, run by pharmacist Lynne Pilcher for the past four years, started managing the mail and added pantry staples to their shelves alongside the painkillers and first-aid supplies.
"We just need to adapt, I guess, to what the community needs," Ms Pilcher told the ABC Northern Tasmania.
"And that was one of the things we adapted to … [and] when the shop shut, there was nowhere for the mail to go to. So, we also adapted into that role, as well as the pharmacy.
"So now, we have a post office."
Monthly community bakery not enough
Jacky Harman-Holness runs the Yolla Community Bakery once a month, bringing bread and groceries to Yolla residents.
But operating it monthly isn't enough to supply the town, which is why Yolla Pharmacy volunteered to help out. Now residents can get their needs throughout the whole month.
"Yolla doesn't have a lot of support other than their wonderful pharmacy who's trying ever so hard," Ms Harman-Holness said.
"Having this bakery helps us support the town, even though it's only once a month."
Ms Harman-Holness, who currently coordinates nine community bakeries across Northern Tasmania, said the grocery store closed "due to purposes beyond our control".
"Until someone gets it [the shop] open again, the pharmacy is actually dealing with a lot of basic daily needs, including mail, bread, and milk. And, of course, medicines," she said.
Pharmacy acts as coverage for seeking help
Ms Pilcher says there's a level of pride in seeking help — especially in a small town, where everyone knows everyone.
"There's a stigma associated with going to an organisation and being seen going there," she said.
"People don't want to be seen to be taking charity or letting people know that they are doing it tough. That's really hard for people.
"I guess, coming to a pharmacy, you've got that coverage of coming in to get something else."
Closure affects community
While the Yolla Pharmacy hasn't had to employ extra staff just yet, playing provider of all the town's needs is not sustainable, Ms Pilcher said.
"I have two wonderful staff who help out a lot," she said.
"But hiring more people will be something in the future that we'll have to look at."
The closure of a grocery store in a country town can have significant effects on the local community.
The store often serves as a gathering place and a central hub for people.
"I know it [the shop] does have new owners," Ms Pilcher said.
"But I'm not sure what their movements are or how quickly they will get up and running."
In the meantime, the pharmacy will keep being the band-aid the community desperately needs.
