Coping COVID with costumes
Could you come up with a different dress up theme every day for six months?
A Neerim Junction woman has done this and more to brighten long days in lockdown as part of fun online campaign “A Costume a Day ‘til the Virus Goes Away”.
Mary-Therese Gorman, aka Molly T, is nearing 200 consecutive days of dressing up. Even better, by sharing her campaign on social media, various friends have joined in the fun.
From Mad Hatter’s Monday to Tutu Tuesday, Wind in the Willows Wednesday to Thirsty Thursday, French Friday to St Pat’s Saturday and even Star Wars Sunday, the list of themes over lockdown is amazing as it heads into its 28th week.
“My idea was to brighten people’s lives a bit,” Mary-Therese said. “To give people who wanted to dress up a challenge and all our friends and family a cheerful moment in their day to look forward to.”
“During the first lockdown, I had nine people joining in. Now there are four of us with occasional extras.”
She said Dianne Ronalds, Jennie Pentland and Toni Freeman were amongst those still dressing up. They find costumes at home or in op shops before taking a daily photograph and posting onto Facebook.
Mary-Therese said they had received beautiful feedback from aged care homes and others in isolation who enjoy the daily dress ups. Some comments had brought tears to her eyes.
“I love dressing up but didn't think others would join in for this long. I’m humbled by their continued joining in. It’s astounding.”
“I think it’s just good to make people happy. It’s just the enjoyment people are getting out of it which makes it worthwhile.”
Mary-Therese may be a familiar face. She is a lab tech at Neerim District Secondary College as well as a musician.
Asked how long she can keep it up, MaryTherese has no plans to stop with a huge list of theme ideas as well as countries and alphabet letters up her sleeve.
“I’ll keep doing it,” she said. “I want to at least do a weekly one when we come out of it.”
As for her favourite costumes, Mary Poppins was at the top.
To join the fun, search for “Molly T Gorman” on Facebook or #ACostumeaDaytillthevirusgoesaway.