This week has been one of the most challenging for our community since the start of the pandemic. The rise in cases in Mildura has been a ‘rubber hitting the road moment’ for our frontline workers.

Our health care workers and emergency services continue to get the job done and keep us safe.

At our local hospital nurses, doctors, cleaners, the numerous other hospital staff, as well as MDAS, SCHS, and the many GP clinics and pharmacies, have found themselves in the middle of extremely trying circumstances.  All the while, they continue to provide the highest quality health care.

Their commitment and sacrifice are a demonstration of why our community is such a great place to live.

Our police protect us 24/7, and the job they do is no easy task. I recognise the challenge of upholding current public health orders in the face of public angst against these rules.

As someone who has many family members and friends who are frontline workers, I know the stress and the burden that they bear day in and day out.

The dedication of our frontline workers, and the hours of work they continue to put in, is worthy of high commendation from all of us. We value and appreciate each one of you, and acknowledge your families that provide the support you need to get up and turn up each day.

In our rural and remote communities, we have an especially stretched workforce. I want to highlight the work of our emergency services in the region such as Ouyen, Underbool, Manangatang and Murrayville. You are truly the unseen heroes of our community, who with diligence and integrity make our region safe.

As we look forward to our path leading out of another week of lockdown and restrictions, the challenges we face will continue. I have witnessed the passion of our frontline workers. It is for this reason I have confidence our community is in safe hands going forward. Today I pause and reflect on how indebted we are to our front-line workers.

Let’s all show our thanks. Whether it’s a police officer down the street, your GP, or the pharmacy assistant, let them know you appreciate them.