Problems encountered during the 1970s became disasters in the 1980s. Len, who had developed angina and sugar diabetes some nine years earlier forcing a reduction of his hours in the business died suddenly in May 1980. Like his in-laws he had been actively involved in serving the community in many ways. His involvements included the Methodist and later Uniting Church as an Elder and committee member, Memorial Hall (secretary from 1955 until his death), Hospital Committee (secretary), School Council, Masonic Lodge and Bowling Club. His love was music and he was always available for choir work whenever needed. Keva, who had taken over the early shift when Len became ill now became manager of the Newsagency.      Just prior to Len's death the family had been approached by the Tandy Corporation with a view to buying a Dealer Franchise. After some consideration it was decided to proceed and the dealership was acquired in October 1980. An opening stock of approximately $7000 was purchased and Sea Lake saw its first home computer, a TRS-80 Model 1 with cassette saving and loading of programmes and 4K of storage! Other products included radios, cassette players, toys and electronic components.

The drapery shop, circa 1975, with Audrey and staff member Jill White.

Costs continued to climb. The Sun went to 20c in October 1981 and had reached 50c by the end of the decade. The Weekly Times 25c in 1981 had reached 50c by 1988 and $1 by October 1989. Circulation which had reached its peak in the mid-1970s had begun to decline. From 330 Suns per day sales fell to 270 in the late 1980s. Wages averaging $323 per week in 1983 went to $435 in 1986, telephone $60 per month to $112, and bank interest $140 per month to a staggering $826! Following the drought of 1981 the area experienced a bumper year in 1982 and exorbitant land prices and inflated interest rates followed. At the suggestion of the bank manager an injection of funds was issued to the newsagency to offset the growing overdraft. Unfortunately that extra $30,000 loan was the straw that broke the camel's back! Two more droughts followed in 1983 and 1984 and a radical decision was made to sell the farm east of Sea Lake to save the newsagency. With the acquisition of a Tandy business computer customer accounts were computerised and now sent out monthly.     In 1988 Bodinnar's Rural Supplies decided to relinquish their Tattersall's agency and using funds from the sale of the farm Keva purchased the agency. New shop fittings and alterations to the office area saw the outlet take on a new look at the rear of the newsagency. Michelle McNamara who had operated the Tattersall's counter at Bodinnars joined the staff at the Newsagency to assist in the transition.     The 1990s saw a national recession to begin the decade. It was nothing new to the Mallee as there had been a recession in the area since the droughts of the 1980s. Sales of newspapers continued to fall in the 1990s. This is reflected in 1994 circulation figures of the Sun at 220 per day. Similar falls are apparent with the Weekly Times, 110 per week compared with 171 in 1960, the Truth, 6 copies per week compared with 98 in 1960, the Post, 15 compared with 78 and the Woman's Day, 60 compared with 99. The newsagency said farewell to Veronica Clohesy and Lee Parkinson after each served loyally and efficiently for fifteen years. A reduction of staff following their departure has helped ensure the viability of the business and enabled some improvements to be made. A ten-year-plan was drawn up to take the business into the next millenium. The first stage was begun in 1992 with the modernising of the shop front removing the old O.Gilpin's entrance and the fitting of a new sliding door creating an open and inviting shop front and making more effective use of space available. The old O.Gilpin's door step was retained for a later stage of the plan. Charlie Francis was the builder, Ralph Dorigo the concreter and Lowe's Glass provided the new door and windows.