Facing the Dreaded, Unavoidable Decisions

I remember once reassuring myself life would get easier as I gathered wisdom and experience along my unique journey. However, it seems the stronger and more equipped I feel, the more challenges I am thrown; typically from external sources, which tug at my heart strings.

Sensing the feeling of powerlessness and sadness emanating from an elderly, unwell loved one, who recently entered their twilight years in residential aged care, is heartbreaking, especially when it wasn't their preference. For the sake of their health, safety and 24 hour care at the touch of a button, the powers of attorney in the family pulled rank.

Hundreds of thousands of families have had, are having or will face similar experiences revolving around this difficult and highly emotional stage of life. Whether it's a son or daughter, a spouse, another relative or a primary care giver, it is typically not an easy road to tackle, especially for the elderly.

Ageing is inevitable - if we're fortune to experience it. As our bodies endure and accumulate years of impressive, repetitive mechanics, issues of wear and tear naturally make themselves known through health disturbances such as, deterioration, pain, weaknesses and declining mobility. Add prolonged injuries, incurable illnesses or disorders affecting the brain, sooner or later a degree of assistance is required. That's when difficult, unavoidable decisions need to be addressed.

There are definitely many benefits for the elderly to remain at home, especially a home which holds a lifetime of precious memories. Maintaining independence and staying connected to the community and favoured social groups is vital for the well-being of the aged.

Government subsidised home care packages are available through the approval of the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) for people experiencing difficutly managing at home, although there is a considerable waiting list. Assistance can be temporary or long term and may include such help as personalised care or maintaining a cleanliness inside and around the home. 

There are four levels of home care, which provide a diverse range of services depending on the assistance required. As the elderlies' needs increase, ongoing assessments determine the necessary care to remain at home, while a higher level of the home care package is put into place.

However, while families typically help out as much as possible, eventually they may experience the dreaded, confronting realisation their ageing relative can no longer live alone - often after another stint in hospital. Once their loved one is unsteady on their feet - even while using a walking aid - falling is too great a risk. They may become increasingly forgetful and leave the cooktop turned on placing themselves in a dangerous situation, or they may simply forget to eat. Undeniably, sadly, 24 hour care is necessary, but how does one convey that to the person in question?

The family's recognition and voicing of the signs of failing health and emerging fragility may not be acknowledged by a loved one desperately attempting to hang onto their independence and familiar surroundings. Conflict and mistrust toward their family along with a feeling of uncertainty, can further cloud their troubled mind if they're already quite confused. 

Professional, objective voices from doctors or the like, can help to convince the frail of their increasing, higher needs. Every situation is, of course, different with individual health, personal, family and financial circumstances. An appropriate, mindful, approach is warranted.

Sarah from Leongatha claimed, "My mum passed a couple of years ago and dad is fairly new to residential care and realises it is the safest option. He accepts his fate, grateful to have assistance at hand and to no longer feel a burden to myself and my siblings, which, of course, he never was. In fact, he enjoys family visits more as quality time now and loves us to take him on outings. Emotionally I was a mess for a while, but I'm getting used to the idea of him being in the best place he could be. I still find it hard to be inside our family home, which we're preparing to sell. There are so many wonderful memories."

Tom, a retired, new resident of Venus Bay shared, "My father died suddenly at a young age. My mother never looked at another man again and managed to raise five kids on her own. She was fiercely independent. I was the only son and when it was obvious she couldn't look after herself anymore, it was my responsibility to place her into residential care, as my sisters conveniently all ran for the hills! My mother blamed me for the transition. She was so angry, she didn't speak to me for six months, even though I visited her every second evening after I finished work. She would sit in silence as I attempted to have a conversation with her. I'll never forget it."

Sharon from Korumburra voiced, "My mother desperately needs to enter residential care, but she's so stubborn. I managed to convince her to go into respite at one of the local facilities for a couple of weeks after a minor operation. A permanent room became available during her stay and I frantically completed all the necessary paperwork involved. But no, she was adamant she would return home, which she did. She won't even accept home care! She's an endless worry on my mind when I'm not with her. I just can't be with her all the time."

Managing the legal and financial issues involved in gaining a place in a residential care establishment can be complex and bewildering. Actually physically moving an elderly relative into a facility, even more overwhelming. There is a significant, emotional process during the transition for the new resident as well as their family. 

Taking responsibility and control for another, albeit keeping them in the loop each step of the way, is an enormous amount of pressure, especially when the tables are turned. Making the best decisions regarding a parent's health and finances, for example, feels odd. It's like parenting the parent and feels completely wrong.

Besides family members commonly experiencing flashbacks of childhood memories, a combination of emotions are often evoked such as guilt, fear, denial, sadness and lingering self-doubt. I remember reassuring my loved on many occasions, "I will never place you into a nursing home." In family dynamics one person typically takes on the responsibility of care. Often it is the female, but not always.

It's imperative for all involved to find their own way to cope with the transition by incorporating strategies that build resilience and maintain well-being. The elderly are required to rebuild their perception of a "new home"; to turn it into a place of meaning. It's a big ask when often they experience feelings of anxiety, confusion, hopelessness, depression, loneliness and a loss of identity once they've moved into residential care.

Validating loved ones' feelings is a good start. Supporting them through the orientation of their new home, and reassuring them their health needs will be met, offers some comfort. Decorating their room with much-loved personal belongings promotes familiarity. Regular visits from family members play an important role in nurturing elderly relatives' emotional health.

Once a loved one has moved into a residential aged care facility, it's helpful to get to know the staff, the program and its limitations. Familiarising yourself with the practices and sharing quirky habits and routines your relative followed in their own home is beneficial. A diverse range of organised activities and entertainment play a major role in the aged care program led by creative teams. These pursuits are customised to suit lifestyle and leisure preferences, including individual skillsets and awareness levels.

Residents are encouraged to find purpose within their new surroundings through feeling they belong to a group, working towards goals, challenging their minds, being creative, remaining as fit and healthy as possible, having fun and being of service to others. They are also supported to continue to follow their religion of preference if they so wish. The individual and their needs is the focus of their care. 

However, whether a loved one wishes to partake in any of these activities is entirely up to them. Some elderly have no desire to socialise in groups, particularly newcomers, who benefit from compassion and understanding during the weeks, sometimes months, of acclimatisation. 

As I sat with my frailing mother in her new, somewhat clinical, but lovely accommodation overlooking a garden, I silently questioned how we ever got to this point. I never expected to. We sipped our lattes I brought with me from the local bakery and suddenly the sound of a flock of birds interrupted our conversation. We watched them through the window as they playfully darted from the roof down and around the shrubs. I had placed a bird bath and seeds in front of mum's window when she first moved into the facility, to entice the feathered critters. Mum always loved watching birds.

"They are homemade birds," my mother said. 

"Really?" I answered.

"Yes, they are made here," she claimed.

I smiled in acknowledgement.

This ageing woman in front of me was once the backbone of our family unit - strong, resilient and competent - while my father worked tirelessly to finance us. Mum managed the whole operation ... and what an amazing cook and baker she once was! 

"It's nice here, but it's not home. I wish I could go home. Maybe when I'm feeling a little better, I can," mum voiced.

"You'll need to be much healthier and more mobile," I replied. "I have to go now, mum. I'll come back again soon."

"Please can I come with you?" mum asked with a sincere, hopeful expression.

"No mum, I'm sorry. I have to go to work now," I answered as my heart broke into a million pieces - again.

I hugged her goodbye and left the room as I felt her eyes following me. I turned around in the open doorway for a quick wave, but she was already somberly staring out the window.

I pray this gets easier ...

An Emotional, Serendipitous Day ...

The majority of us know what it feels like to lose a beloved pet. It's a heartbreaking, overwhelmingly sad experience after sharing years of our life with a furry friend - regardless under which circumstances the loss occurs. This is how Lucy Howard and her young family in Middle Tarwin, Victoria, Australia felt not long ago.

"Fancy" their much loved Kelpie had graced the lives of Lucy and her extended family for fourteen long years and was a valued and adored family member. Approximately eight years ago, Fancy came to live with Lucy and her husband and has since grown with the family and bonded with their first child. Living on a farm, she was in dog heaven and eagerly assisted the couple with cattle work amidst enjoying her freedom on the adventurous land.

On the first weekend in March, Fancy went exploring as she often did, but failed to return home. Lucy began to worry and together with her husband, searched the areas she often frequented while loudly calling her name - sadly to no avail. Lucy immediately jumped onto social media to post the alarm on local sites, hoping someone had come across Fancy or at the very least, for readers to keep an eye out for her.

People spasmodically responded to the posts over the next week or so stating a lonely, hungry looking dog had wandered their way. Lucy's anxious heart would skip a beat, but learning more information of the strays, disappointingly, they were never her Fancy. 

Lucy continued to post regularly, desperately attempting to find her companion, however the response was disheartening. She realised farm life can be dangerous, especially in the warmer seasons when snakes are active and quick-moving. Maybe Fancy had succumbed to a lethal snake bite. She was no spring chicken and quite deaf. Any kind of danger could have befallen her.

Each long day passed with no sign of Fancy. Lucy and her family were heartbroken and felt the time had come to accept she was never coming home. Reluctantly they began the process of mourning her and her unconditional love. It hurt - deeply.

However, on Monday morning March 21st, two weeks after Fancy had been missing, locals Kelly Van Den Berg and Lillian Duthie, were driving around the back of Middle Tarwin. It was a beautiful day and they were looking for access points to launch their kayaks into the Tarwin River. Stopping at various tucked away bridges to assess the embankments, none seemed appropriate in light of the steepness and vegetation overgrowth. Determined, they continued their search.

The women came across another remote bridge and stepped onto it in the hope of discovering the perfect kayak entry point, but again, it didn't look promising as the ridge was much too steep. Lillian walked the bridge to view the other side when a vision caught her by surprise.

"There's a dog!" she shrieked. "Oh, it's dead. The poor dog."

"Hang on a minute, it just moved," Kelly voiced, as she neared Lillian.

With that, both woman began calling out to the canine, but there was no reaction. The girls continued to create noise until suddenly, thankfully the dog jumped to its feet looking around to see where the commotion was coming from. 

Kelly shared, "The aged dog seemed disorientated and probably deaf. It was on a tiny, little patch of mud on a near vertical bank. It had obviously been there a long time, as it had really dug itself a hole. What now, we thought!"

A farmhouse not too far in the distance seemed the obvious first contact point. Kelly and Lillian immediately went to find the occupant who could possibly shed some light on where this dog belonged. Unfortunately, no one answered the door. The girls wandered around thinking the farmer may be working in the vicinity, but disappointingly again, there was no one in sight. 

Kelly said, "We returned to the house to knock on the door one more time and that's when a young lady appeared. We asked her if she was missing a dog. Lucy immediately broke down in disbelief. She was an emotional wreck and we knew then we had found the dog's owner."

The three of them raced back to Fancy. Kelly and Lillian, being experienced and prepared kayakers, carried their safety gear with them. In the past they had successfully completed various courses, including white water rescue. They knew exactly what to do.

Ropes were hooked up and Lillian strategically lowered Kelly approximately twenty metres down the steep, dense, muddy riverbank. Once she reached Fancy, she created and fitted her with a harness after which Fancy was safely pulled up and received by Lillian, then Lucy's overjoyed, loving arms. Lillian then proceeded to carefully pull Kelly back up the bank.

Kelly explained, "Fancy possibly fell down there and got stuck. The river was wide and deep, so it was a good decision of hers to stay put. The water was fast-flowing and she could have been washed away had she jumped into the river. Fancy may have attempted to climb up the embankment, but it was rugged and slippery from the mud. She seemed too old and frail. She was well and truly stuck, the poor thing."

Lucy was beside herself and so thankful to the kind, competent women. 

She said, "I'd been looking for Fancy for two weeks! I was in complete shock when Kelly and Lillian turned up. My heart dropped when they mentioned a red collar on a dog they had discovered. I didn't think Fancy would return. I was already mourning her. She may have been down there the whole time, as she has a habit of burying her bones down by the river."

Lucy promptly took Fancy to the vet. Besides fatigued, starving and had lost weight, she was ok. After Fancy initially ate everything in sight, she is now back to a picture of health and once more, carries her normal weight.  

"She's fine and back in the cattle yards with us where she loves to be," Lucy happily assured. "I'm so extremely grateful to Kelly and Lillian. They are lifesavers!"

Kelly remarked, "This was a wonderful serendipity. To think Lillian and I were in the right place at the right time, surely we were meant to find Fancy and return her home."

Does Fancy continue to burry her bones down by the river?

"No, she hasn't gone near the river since she was rescued," Lucy answered.

Smart move, Fancy!

Fancy stuck on a patch on the banks of the Tarwin River.

Fancy's lifesavers, Kelly Van Den Berg and Lillian Duthie.

 The strategic rescue.

Adored Fancy back to a picture of health.

The Fine Line Between Empathy and Rescuing ...

My heart bled for you as I watched you struggle; the constant self loathing and uncontrollable, abusive behaviour powerfully dragging you into a state of no man's land. At this point you said you ceased to feel and preferred it that way. How afraid I was of finding your lifeless body during one of my many visits.

Destructive self sabotage was your ally when I sought employment opportunities, tempting you with a purpose to drag you out of your dark hell. You declined the offers with endless, justified excuses. I knew your fear of failure debilitated your will to try again. Another fated disappointment would surely tip you over the edge.

I threw you many life lines in my denial of how sick you really were.

I desperately wanted you to find your way home and to realise how cherished you were and how amazing your life could be. I wished you could see yourself through my eyes – your talents, your tenderness, your selflessness. The strength and resilience I knew you possessed were now dormant deep within and hidden behind your wall of hopelessness. I prayed for you to embrace your wholeness, not just your demons.

I led you to therapy, hoping it would safely permit you to spew forth your immeasurable, overwhelming angst and pain. You were battling in such solitude and it frightened me terribly. You claimed you didn't feel comfortable and were unable to connect with the practitioner. He failed to understand.

It didn't help you were quietly intoxicated.

I placed your name on various detoxification centres' waiting lists and finally an opening arrived. I remember how elated I was and couldn't wait to share the good news. After you detoxed from your poison you would progress to a residential rehabilitation centre I'd organised. You would be professionally guided and supported to rise from the embers ready to grab life by the horns once more. 

Yes, I had it all planned out. 

We decided on a time I would pick you up to take you to your first step towards healing. Gosh that felt good and brought with it such relief. However, you were nowhere to be found the day I excitedly arrived. I realised then, not 'We' had decided on a time, but 'I'. I remember my heart broke into a million pieces and I sobbed a waterfall of restrained, powerless, despairing tears as I numbly sat in my car outside your home.

I wised up that particular day.

I understood, although I desperately yearned to, I couldn't rescue you from your despondency. I couldn't save you, no matter how fuelled and altruistic my intentions. I couldn't haul you along by the hand believing I knew how best to find you your answers. It wasn't up to me. However determined I felt to make things right, it was your journey, not mine. I realised I had to step back, as difficult and heartbreaking as it was, and continue to walk beside you, following your lead at whatever pace that happened to be.

Yet I could be your sounding board; a trusting, emotional, support to lean on. I would make sure your body ingested much-needed nourishment when you forgot to eat. I would catch you when your pain was too great to bear and silently cradle you in my arms. I would be there when you hopefully, wholeheartedly decided it was time for change. I would assist you to put structures in place to move you forward out of your dark, deadly oblivion.

I loved you endlessly and while it immensely pained me, I just couldn't run your race ...

The Time of Our Lives

Well, spring has arrived!

How incredibly quickly this year is flying by, despite the restraining, unsettling pandemic circumstances overshadowing our lives. Gippsland's fertile soil is waking up and coming alive with all the colours of the rainbow. The sun is finally radiating welcoming warmth, while the grass accelerates its growth. The birds are busily, vocally building their nests intending to expand their families, as are most creatures in this idyllic season. It's definitely a delight to see and feels comforting and uplifting – if we take the time to notice. Sadly,  life's organic, wondrous pleasures are easily overlooked and taken for granted.

We typically seem to get caught up in life's fast pace and wonder how rapidly the days, weeks and months rush by. Time is something we generally perceive as scarce, surprisingly even during the restrictive pandemic periods. It appears to make little difference as we conform, compromise and redirect our energies toward suitable tasks among fluctuating, mandatory coronavirus-induced constraints. Pandemic or not, there are always fundamentals to achieve, complete or rectify noted on mental or solid to-do lists anticipating our attention. The past nineteen months have granted us opportunities to tackle these dormant nudges typically earmarked for rainy days.

However, constantly chasing our tails, moving hastily from one responsibility or chore to another, we tend to focus on the outcome and often forget to enjoy the ride. Our tunnel vision commonly prohibits us from noticing the collective magic continually showering our existence with light and shade as we progress throughout each day.

According to esteemed physicists time is not real. It is simply an illusion made up of human memories. Everything that has ever been and ever will be, is happening right now. If this is indeed accurate, isn't it fruitful for us to slow down and create beautiful memories of each moment we are fortunate to enjoy? After all, each moment of our lives is one we have never lived before and will never live again.

Engaging all our senses, we are gifted to embrace and fully absorb every activity, experience or interaction as it arises. No matter how mundane, insignificant or even fleeting some occurrences may seem, there is always an offering of emotional, fulfilling nourishment. We just need to allow ourselves the time, or learn to be fully present to define the heartfelt purposes and beauty within each instance. Ultimately, the present moment is all we are ever promised.

So as we bid winter farewell, let's declutter our thoughts, spring clean our attitudes and allow mindfulness to blossom. Let's wipe our slates clean and start a new, refreshing chapter by welcoming our stunning, rural spring with eyes wide open and a new-found spring in our step. Slowing to become aware of the abundant blessings we receive throughout our days, no matter how minuscule, will surely achieve a sense of fulfilling gratitude and contentment, regardless of the uncertain, looming COVID-19 cloud.

Who knows, we may even begin to believe time is actually on our side.

Oak & Swan Sourdough

There's something unique and welcoming strolling amidst outdoor, rural farmers market stalls, especially if the sun is shining. The combination of radiating colours, freshly baked treats and the wafts of delicious aromas tease and excite our senses. The greenery, the music, the simultaneous echoes of happy conversations, the diverse, local products and beverages all contribute to the endearing, uplifting and personal ambiance of a community hub. One stall holder, who regularly frequents Foster's monthly Prom Country Farmers Market in South Gippsland is Betsy Evans, typically accompanied by one of her two helpful sons.

Betsy is a delight. Her approachable, friendly manner emanates her enjoyment of market days as she cheerfully engages with fellow stall holders and customers. Betsy along with her husband, Greg, are wholesalers and meeting customers is a rare opportunity, especially loyal, reoccurring ones.

"That's why market days are very special," Betsy claimed.

Betsy and Greg along with their three children are the proud owners of Oak & Swan Sourdough – a small family-owned and operated, organic wood-fired bakery on a beautiful, undulating, one hundred acre property in Mirboo North.

Betsy was born in Leongatha and grew up eating delicious, homemade bread emerging fresh and hot from a combustion stove. Her English grandmother, who sadly passed away two years ago, was Betsy's most significant influencer in life and, along with Betsy's mother, passed down her knowledge and skills. Consequently, Betsy learnt and loved to bake bread at a young age.

Having lived in various parts of Gippsland over the years, Betsy and Greg were continually drawn to return to the familiar rolling, green hills of South Gippsland. It was seven years ago they moved back from East Gippsland to create a permanent paradise for themselves, and for their children to grow up in.

Betsy voiced, "It's hard work striving to be self-sufficient, while managing a business and maintaining a regenerative farm model, but such a privilege to live on a rural property. Our children, Liam 12, Lucas 11 and Stella 9, love spending time outdoors and each are a wonderful help on the farm. That's when they're not tearing down the driveway on a mattress-topped billy cart!"

The lush, picturesque land boasts a substantial fresh-water gully, a large, spring-fed dam (great for swimming in during long summer days) and native trees. Aged pines stand proudly on top of a hill, while young planted trees grow between paddocks. The farm also showcases a large vegetable garden, approximately fifty fruit trees - from citrus to nuts to avocados - and beef cattle. The family laboriously plants over one thousand native trees each year to continue the regrowth cycle of wood burnt in the bakery's wood-fired oven.

The Oak & Swan Sourdough manifested through Betsy's love for bread, while Greg's handy plumbing background proved vital to bring the project into fruition. Sourdough - made from unsifted, freshly-milled flour, which makes the bread much tastier and more nutritious -  became the speciality through a growing awareness and passion for good food. The bakery was named in light of two beautiful, one hundred and twenty year old oak trees growing beside the farm dam, which host the nesting of swans.

The Evans family create their sourdough from scratch using only organic flour, rain water and salt. Each week the flour is freshly stone-ground milled in an Austrian grain mill, ensuring its natural goodness without additives. It is then added to a starter culture, initiated from organic wholegrain flour and rain water, before each bake. Depending on which type of bread it is to be, organic wholegrains, seeds, nuts, vegetables, herbs, fruit, spices, rain water and salt are added. The ingredients are then slowly and gently mixed in a one-arm mixer before the dough is long-rested. It is then divided and shaped by hand before being long-rested again. Once ready, the loaves are loaded into the wood-fired oven for baking.

The oven is a forty loaf Allan Scott oven. Built into the side of the bakery, it is fired with the farm's pine and scrap hardwood before each bake. Once the oven is heated and the fire burnt away, the ashes are raked out and the internal bricks are cleaned with a damp cloth. The dough loaves are then loaded inside with a wooden peel. Several batches of bread are baked by the residual oven heat. In between firings, the oven's retained heat is used for drying fruit, toasting ingredients and other baking requiring a lower temperature.

The Evans family has come a long way establishing their lifestyle, business and their sales of goods through retail stores. Besides sourdough breads, they also offer muesli crackers, pancake mix, an assortment of sweet buns and milk-fresh flour. As a wholesaler, their popular products are requested from areas of Warragul to Kilcunda and back to Meeniyan.

However, Betsy confesses, "Small business owners are challenged in these pandemic times. It hasn't been easy and the unforeseeable future is impossible to read. I feel for all the small operators, but we need to stay positive and hopeful."

Betsy's beloved, ever-encouraging grandmother instilled in her to follow her dreams. Betsy was taught, anything is possible if you have the confidence to believe in yourself and the courage to take risks. With this inspiring guidance the Evans family's aspirations will surely continue to blossom, while we have the opportunity to reap the delectable rewards.

Delicious sourdough 

Stunning Mirboo North property in South Gippsland.

Please Do The Right Thing ...

Visiting my local IGA supermarket last week I was disappointed to see a few customers not wearing masks. I couldn't help but notice their naked faces among a sea of eyes I have involuntarily become accustomed to. I was told this happens periodically infact, only that morning a maskless couple with a young baby visited the store, adamantly unwilling to conform. It just so happened police were in close vicinity and pulled them aside, however the undaunted couple continued to complete their shopping before leaving the premises. Mask or no mask, why would these parents put their infant at risk when it only takes one person to shop? 

Sometimes customers enter the supermarket while talking on their phones or daydreaming and forget to sign in with either the Victorian government check-in app or on paper, both of which are prominently situated just inside the shop's entrance. The astute staff take notice of this and politely remind these people to do the right thing. While most cooperate, some shoppers blatantly lie, stating they registered when they did no such thing. Checking in is imperative to manage Corona virus contact tracing if the need arises.

Furthermore, I was informed customers sporadically scold one another for not obeying safety measures, while staff too, are often abused in the process, yet these issues are not isolated to the Tarwin Lower supermarket. In communication with other local stores, these unpleasant situations occur across the board.

The majority of IGA supermarkets are family-owned businesses. If they needed to close due to shoppers' negligence, it would prove a serious problem to us all. The entire staff would be required to enter isolation, while shops would be forced shut for thorough cleaning and sanitising. The adverse impact on our small communities would be considerably dire on many levels.

Luisa, the Tarwin Lower IGA proprietor along with her husband, claimed "Employers endeavour to create a safe environment for their staff and customers. Thankfully the majority of shoppers comply. It's typically a hand full of challenging people who rebel and just don't seem to take this harmful and unpredictable Corona virus seriously."

I admit, I find it a nuisance to clutch my phone, mask, shopping bag, list, purse and car keys as I make my way across the supermarket carpark, all the while wishing I had more hands. Often I annoyingly forget one or the other and find myself retracing my steps. However, this is a part of our unfavourable, (hopefully) temporary situation. If it keeps us safe and moves us toward normalcy, isn't it worth the effort?

Let's get back to masks. It is stipulated at present face masks must be worn by anyone twelve years and over indoors and outdoors at all times, unless we are at home with the usual occupants, or exercising strenuously enough to exert ourselves. Some people, of course, are excused by lawful exemptions for various health reasons, yet some without masks, conveniently and wrongly voice this justification when confronted.

I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys wearing face masks. I feel they erect walls between ourselves and others, concealing imparting, valid, non-verbal communication through our facial expressions. While our eyes may now be more deeply observed and regarded, conversations can be hindering. Often it's difficult to hear or understand a person, not to mention how uncomfortable masks are to our natural breath. Nevertheless, face masks, which reduce the risk of infection, protect not only ourselves, but those around us.

The Covid-19 virus is transmitted predominantly by inhalation or respiratory droplets generated when people cough, sneeze, sing, talk or breathe. Masks are primarily intended to reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is essentially relevant for asymptomatic or presymptomatic infected carriers, who feel well and may be unaware of their contagion to others.

We have been extremely fortunate in Gippsland with minimal Corona virus diagnoses over the past eighteen months, but we mustn't become complacent. We're all aware of how quickly this virus can spread, especially the dreaded Delta strain. It's in our best interests to remain motivated and on high alert to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.

I'm certain most of us are feeling overwhelmed and frustrated by this drawn out, inconvenient way of life. The 'peek-a-boo' lockdown games are agitating and draining. Imagine though, just for a moment, lying in an intensive care bed desperately clinging to every breath with the assistance of a ventilator, or praying for a dying loved one in hospital, who you can't even visit to kiss goodbye. THAT would be overwhelming!

Yes, we live in a democratic society, but isn't it our civil duty to do whatever we can to collectively minimise and suppress this malicious Corona virus? The only and quickest way to keep our region safe and regain some lifestyle normality is to abide by the protective protocols imposed. Use common sense, continue to diligently wear masks, practice good hygiene, adhere to social distancing, check or sign in wherever you venture and get Covid tested if you feel unwell.

... and PLEASE have the jab, so our suffering, anguished world can safely, finally come out of hiding!

Celebrating an Initial Milestone

Arriving at the first anniversary of South Gippsland Voices newspaper, I'm surprised how quickly the time has flown. It seems only a few months ago I excitedly answered a Facebook post headlined, "Looking for writers". Being an avid scriber, I immediately jumped at the chance to apply and messaged the author with half an essay in an attempt to win him over. I remember the instant reply red something like, "Well, you can certainly write - a lot!".

Since then this refreshing, diverse newspaper has graciously granted me a platform to express personal experiences and investigated topics we can either all relate to or which concern us. There have been many and varied articles over the last twelve months.

I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Submitting mindful, weekly articles to South Gippsland Voices has kept me accountable, not only to the newspaper, but to my own writing commitment. Writing has become a passionate (almost) daily habit, which showers me with many, valuable, holistic gifts.

During the last year, besides wrestling with the unpredictable, looming pandemic cloud, life has thrown some spontaneous, thought-provoking curve balls in my direction. These have accentuated my understanding of mastering essential skills to retain a decent level of sanity, such as feeding my soul with passionate, stimulating nourishment. Taking care of within, first and foremost, offers mental tools to conquer, repair or harmonise whatever may arise externally. Writing plays a significant and nurturing role in that for me. It releases pent up emotional friction and elucidates it into comprehensible and insightful perspectives. It's so powerful to see my inner world materialise into black and white.

On the flip side, as a volunteer feature writer for this vibrant and informative paper, I've been able to share topics of interest, which have allowed me to meet many talented and inspiring South Gippslanders. I've gained invaluable knowledge and awareness through interviewing locals and researching information I'd never before entertained. I've also enjoyed writing articles on subjects from left field.

I'm so thankful for this opportunity South Gippsland Voices has given me and I appreciate all those who have taken the time to read my articles. Some of you have kindly responded through emails, which I love to receive. I'm proud to be a part of this newspaper and I look forward to its advancing future.

Happy first anniversary South Gippsland Voices!