Letters paint real life pandemic stories
DANIELLE O’NEAL
LETTERS penned by ordinary Queenslanders are painting a picture of what the state has experienced during COVID-19 – from fearing for the future and missing human touch, to experiencing clearer skies and the joys of backyard camping.
Experts say writing you own letter can help to process “the good, the bad and the ugly” of the pandemic, the worst since the Spanish flu 100 years ago.
The Cairns Post today highlights some of the letters written by Queenslanders as part of Australia Post’s Dear Australia campaign, which encourages people to write letters documenting their experience of lockdown to be preserved for future generations.
While 10-year-old Tia Kiley was learning trampoline tricks and camping in her backyard, 20-year-old Maddie Conaghan was delivering hot meals to returned travellers in a “quarantine hotel”.
Sebastian Draper, 37, missed human touch and Marie Kelly-Moran appreciated clearer skies while longing for a time she could cuddle her grandchildren.
“We’re feeling a distance between us like we’ve never felt before,” renowned author Morris Gleitzman, 67, wrote in his letter. “But we still have stories.”
Former Young Australian of the Year, Lucas Patchett, cofounder of homeless charity Orange Sky Laundry, wrote of the toll the pandemic had taken on those less fortunate as the organisation was forced to wind back operations.
“This pandemic has forced us to temporarily pause the 250 shifts, 10 tonnes of washing, 150 safe hot showers and 1500 hours of conversation that happened each week across the country,” he said.
Research psychologist Trish Obst said writing a letter about your experiences, even if you never posted it, was therapeutic.
“There is heaps and heaps of research on the benefits of reflective journaling, it’s quite a common therapeutic tool,” Dr Obst said.
“I think it’s an absolutely fabulous idea, it probably will help people to think more clearly about their experience and think about what was the good, the bad and the ugly of it. From a mental health perspective that’s a really good thing.”
Dr Obst said reading other people’s letters can make you feel more connected.
Selected letters will be put on the Dear Australia website and also in The National Archives of Australia in Canberra.