The Victorians who inspired us during the pandemic

A selfless nurse who comforted dying Covid patients in their final moments is among Victoria’s most inspiring individuals.

Laura Keily, pictured with partner Rhowan McLeod-Dryden, took care of COVID patients during their final moments. Picture: David Caird

She touched the hearts of Victorians this year when it was revealed she comforted coronavirus patients in their final moments.

Now, at the end of the hardest of years where nurse Laura Keily held the hands of dying patients after beating the deadly virus herself, the 30-year-old is looking forward to a brighter 2021.

The infectious diseases nurse inspired the state in August when she spoke of caring for COVID-19 patients at the end of their lives, saying she was “just doing her duty” and taking care of people in need.

Laura, from the Royal Melbourne Hospital, was on the frontline of Victoria’s first and second coronavirus waves.

She saw young and old consumed by the deadly virus and worked tirelessly among colleagues, under layers of personal protective gear, to save lives.

Now she is looking forward to planning a wedding next year.

Hero nurse Laura Keily. Picture: David Caird

After getting engaged at the start of 2020, and with a wedding to plan, she and fiance Rhowan McLeod-Dryden, 36, are determined next year will be one to remember for all the right reasons.

“Rhowan proposed in February when I’d just gotten home from work,” Laura said.

“I was really tired and he said ‘let’s go out for dinner’.

“I couldn’t really be bothered (but got dressed). I came back out and he had our cat in one hand and a ring in the other.

“I couldn’t even wear my ring to work, we’re not allowed to wear jewellery, so I’m looking forward to living the year (in 2021) that I would have lived this year – and not just having to work but getting to live as well.

“My story is just one of many, it’s very much mirrored in all of my colleagues and in all the untold stories.

“All the praise and recognition, I don’t think anything was expected, but it really just helped knowing that everyone was behind us.”

Laura Keily held the hands of her patients during their final moments. Picture: David Caird

In the middle of the dark days of the second wave, the thought of a happy wedding day seemed like a distant dream for Laura.

Her days were spent caring for the sick and dying.

“I can’t tell you how many people I have hugged and cuddled like they are my own grandmother and cried,” Laura told the Sunday Herald Sun in August.

But it was in July, when Laura contracted the virus herself, that things really hit home. She faced fighting off the virus she had been helping others overcome, knowing all too well just how deadly it could be.

“Initially, I had a lot of anxiety because all I saw of COVID was the extreme and severe cases,” Laura said.

“I was probably a mild case. I was unwell, I was in isolation for around 17 days and I didn’t turn a corner until around day 11.

“But I think it was a bigger emotional journey for my friends and family than myself. I could reason and ration myself, I was nursing myself.”

The nurse has also been donating plasma as part of an ongoing study of COVID-19 patients. Almost five months on, Laura – who went straight back to work on the coronavirus wards – said she still hasn’t had proper time to reflect on the year.

“It felt like nothing was going to come to fruition this year for anyone and all those things (we wanted) seemed like a dream.

“We now have a fresh state of mind and are looking forward to putting COVID behind us.”

PENGUIN PARADE A VIRAL SENSATION

When Skye Nichol got a job with Phillip Island’s famous penguin parade, she thought her biggest audience would be the tour groups she helped lead.

But less than a year later, she found herself narrating the penguins’ nightly waddle up the beach in a livestream with more than 25 million total views.

The Philip Island penguin parade.

Phillip Island Nature Parks’ evening videos became a viral sensation after lockdown closed the attraction but Ms Nichol (pictured), one of several presenters armed with endless penguin facts, never saw it coming.

As host of the first show, the ranger said she had hoped “some people would tune in and have a nice time”. “I could see numbers creeping up in one Facebook event to 200,000. When I saw that my stomach dropped.”

Skye Nichol.

WAVE OF COMPASSION

The lockdown may have lifted but Jan Juc mum Nicole Dickmann is not resting in her efforts to help the Surf Coast community.

Concerned by the possible impacts of COVID lockdowns on vulnerable members of her community, and saddened by the suicide of a local, the busy marketing consultant and mother of toddler Ayla (right) formed volunteer army Surfcoast Angels almost overnight in March.

More than 320 people volunteered their time.

When Victoria’s second regional lockdown lifted, Ms Dickmann organised a community-wide celebration called Hello Surf Coast Day to lift spirits and bring people back together.

She is now planning a major Christmas event called One Big Table for those in need over the holiday season.

Nicole Dicmann started up volunteer army Surf Coast Angels. Picture: Nicki Connolly

SHINING A LIGHT ON RARE DISEASE

Zoe Petropoulos has her eye on a special Christmas gift — $450,000 for medical research.

The 20-year-old from Donvale started her charity, Flicker of Hope, in 2018 after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour brought on by a rare genetic condition.

“My mum and I had the idea of starting the charity after the surgery, but we never realised how big it would grow,” she said.

Ms Petropoulos (left), who finished a diploma in events management this year, has neurofibromatosis, a disorder that causes tumours.

Since starting two years ago, the Flicker of Hope foundation has raised more than $600,000 for the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Zoe’s mother, Anne Petropoulos, said after finding out from doctors there was a 50 per cent chance of the disease being passed down genetically, she was adamant on providing funding for further research.

In the lead-up to Christmas, the Flicker of Hope Foundation has launched a campaign calling on support from across the country to assist with upcoming research projects at the Florey Institute and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Zoe Petropoulos has raised close to $500,000. Picture: Alex Coppel.

TAKES FEW TO TANGO

Mums and dads across Victoria had to pull out all the stops to juggle home schooling and work this year.

Mother of two Zita Van Zanten said she overcame obstacles by remaining positive and forming a community with parents across Melbourne.

The professional dance instructor from Kew East, (pictured left with sons Alex and Max) said she developed a network with fellow tango dancers in Victoria, who were also educating their children from home.

“My parents live in Europe, so I needed the extra support during this period,” Ms Van Zanten said.

“I decided to call and check on other tango dancers that I met up with before coronavirus, and we teamed up to help each other.”

Zita Van Zaanten with her two boys, Max and Alex. Picture: Mark Stewart

Originally published as The Victorians who inspired us during the pandemic