Thursday, 16 September 2021

COVID-19

Ms KILKENNY (Carrum)

Everyone is experiencing and trying to live with these lockdowns and restrictions in their own way. For some, this may be one of the most difficult and distressing times of their life. For others, apart from working at home and having restricted movement, there may be little to worry about.

There is no one-size-fits-all. And at the end of the day, each of us personally has no direct control over other people’s behaviour.

But each of us has the power to share empathy and kindness and be there for one another. And it is worth reflecting on this: despite everything, despite the negativity in the media that tends to focus on those who break the rules, most of us have followed the rules. And we’ve done it not because we hold grave fears for our own personal health and safety, but because we actually care about our communities and those more vulnerable amongst us.

And that’s a pretty good thing.

And now, as the school term draws to a close this week for hundreds of thousands of younger Victorians, let’s reflect on how amazing they have really been. Whilst perhaps not fully understanding the gravity of the pandemic, these younger Victorians have done something none of the rest of us have had to do. They have given up sport, and friends, and play dates and school.

So let’s support them. And be honest with them. When things are difficult, let them know. Ask them to explore their fears and frustrations. And, importantly, continue to be amazing role models for these extraordinary young people.

And best of all, let’s call out and celebrate the goodness and kindness in them—like Rachael, Maddy and Aaliyah, three wonderful girls from Seaford who made hundreds and hundreds of paper flowers and wrote personal notes and delivered them to mail boxes around Seaford, sharing happiness and warmth and friendship.

I am so proud of these girls, and our young people. And I look forward to the day when they can get back to school, with their friends, and build on their own unique and special learnings and experiences from these lockdowns.