Stronger together in uncertainty
As anticipation of this pandemic sweeps through our community, the signs of anxiety have revealed themselves in our supermarket aisles in the form of empty shelves and flared tempers.
The bare shelves carry an unspoken message from the hearts of those who emptied them, “We don’t feel resilient.” This fear is valid.
How many people have a solid back-up plan if their day-to-day routine is up-ended? Not me.
It may serve us well to recognise that people who feel safe, supported and prepared tend not to stockpile three hundred rolls of toilet paper.
We have suddenly been dunked into a sea of uncertainty and we are all seeking reassurance.
We are asking ‘Who has my back?’ ‘How will I get through this?’ Rather than shaming or fingerpointing, our community needs to pull together for a fullthrottled, big-hearted response.’
Our uniformed service-folk may have something to teach us here.
Military units make plans before they go into battle, but when the plan breaks down a simple rule is set in motion: Keep moving, stay in touch, and head for the high ground.’
We are not at war, but in uncertain times we need well-springs of resilience and safety.
As a community we must adopt our own simple set of rules: Keep moving together. Stay in touch so that we keep laughing, learning and loving. Aim for the high ground, toward our flag on the hill: a kind, cooperative and mutually supportive local community.
My four year old daughter already knows this. Watching and re-watching Frozen 2 have gifted to her wiser words than she probably understands.
“When one can’t know the future,” Princess Anna said, “all one can do is the next right thing.”
People are already ‘doing the next right thing’ all over the community, How will you join them?
James Allen: “I’m working with friends to create a locally focused online hub to connect people so they can share resources, ideas and projects and keep tabs on trustworthy information.
Rachel Camier: “I’ve made a donation to Baw Baw Food Relief. I’m making sure to thank store workers when I go to the shops, they are exhausted and stressed and need support too. I’ve left my details with all the neighbours on my street and encouraged everyone to look-out for one another.
Dave Cann: “I’m making time to call other businesses to check how they are doing. It's a great way to brainstorm collective ways that we can help each other out. Local businesses are all adapting to deliver to people's homes. If you can buy any item from the local shops rather than massive online retailers it will make an enormous difference, it will keep dollars in the town, and help businesses keep locals employed.
Dan Calabro “I’m making lots of calls, dropping into shops and neighbours engaging in conversations beyond just ‘How’s it going?’
Michelle Cann: “I’m trying to share the skills, goods and time I have. There are lots of little support groups popping up on Facebook where you can swap or give essential items and offer to help neighbours and locals. If you are in a position to do so, buying vouchers from restaurants, businesses and services who are hurting or doing some early Christmas shopping can keep the wolves from the door.”
Rob Robson: “I’m encouraging our theatre patrons to ‘virtually’ get in touch with each other, trying to keep the social connections which are core to our bigger purpose going.”
The team from Soul Sisters Café Longwarry took home the People’s Choice Award at the 2020 Celebrate Baw Baw Business Awards.
The team from Erica Caravan Park took home the Best Small Business Award (joint winner) at the 2020 Celebrate Baw Baw Business Awards.
Melissa Moseley and David Watts.