In a Bulletin tribute to the mums, dads, brothers and sisters defying adversity, doctors, teachers, police officers, paramedics, nurses, cleaners, council workers, volunteers, midwives, pharmacists, supermarket workers and bus drivers share their stories at the coalface of the coronavirus crisis.

Daniel Ronnfeldt, Fever clinic co-ordinator

Registered nurse Daniel Ronnfeldt has traded the hustle of the emergency department for the specialist role of co-ordinating fever clinics at Gold Coast University Hospital.

“In terms of presentations some days are really quiet, and a lot of my role is about reassuring people because there’s a lot of things making people scared, especially if they don’t meet screening criteria,” he says.

“People can manage the virus at home rather than rely on the health care network, and it’s part of my role to educate them on this. Once people know that a person in a hazmat suit isn’t going to come and lock them up if they have the coronavirus they are a lot more at ease.

“We want to keep emergency departments clear for things that aren’t related to the coronavirus and this is why screening is in a separate area.”

Mr Ronnfeldt had to cancel his engagement party and misses hanging with mates, but says everyone is making sacrifices.

Mike Kwan, Senior environmental health officer

IF you’re self isolating and get a knock at the door, it might just be senior environmental health officer Mike Kwan coming to check on you.

Mr Kwan was airport screening for coronavirus back in February, but now he’s making sure people who are meant to be staying home are doing just that. He’s also involved in contact tracing, an arduous but necessary task that tracks every movement of infected people.

“I make sure they are doing the right thing but also have a quick chat about their health and make sure I put them in touch with the right people if they need anything while self-isolating. It’s important they feel supported.

“The best part of my job is that I feel like we’re making a difference and everything we are doing is trying to flatten the curve and make sure numbers don’t spike too quickly.”

Jody Kallis, midwifery student

Juggling the demands of five kids is no picnic, but Pacific Pines midwifery student Jody Kallis often does this after working a night shift at Gold Coast University Hospital.

The second-year trainee was given the option to discontinue her placement at the maternity unit, which many of her fellow students took up, but she never once considered leaving her mums-to-be.

“We’re on call for their births so I could be called in at anytime,” she says. “If it’s at night my husband is around but otherwise it just seems to work out. It probably helps that I’m not a stresser.

“At the hospital it feels like nothing is different and I feel very safe and comfortable there.”

Mrs Kallis says on top of shadowing midwives she follows 20 women through their pregnancy, birth and postnatally.

“Like most students I’m not being paid, but midwifery is something I am very passionate about and I’m very proud and grateful to be learning this amazing profession with the support of my family and friends.”

Dr Kylie Alcorn, Infectious diseases doctor

Infectious diseases doctor Kylie Alcorn is working behind the scenes to stop the spread of the deadly coronavirus and she’s quietly optimistic it’s working.

“It’s important for people to know, we’ve got this.” Dr Acorn says.

Every day she oversees the management of COVID-19 at Gold Coast University Hospital, including co-ordinating fever clinics and managing inpatients with the virus. She also helped Australia’s first infected person give birth to her virus-free child.

“By the time we saw our first patient on January 28 we’d already been planning our response, but this was ramped up once we saw what was happening in Iran.

“It’s rewarding being a part of the big solution, but working 16 hour days is exhausting.

“But we have to get this right so that patients don’t die and our health system doesn’t fall over and we can keep people safe.”

Dr Acorn says she misses spending time with her husband, friends and family but is too busy to lament the loss of socialising.

Steven Wynia, paramedic

Like other paramedics, Steven Wynia isn’t one to hog the spotlight. He believes all frontline workers deserve credit. Originally from the Netherlands, Mr Wynia has called the Gold Coast home for over a decade. Despite facing one of the biggest medical crisis of his generation, he says coronavirus is just part of his work as a medical professional.

“We are always looking at new research updating our techniques and take precautions when treating young and old patients. Our role is about adapting. “I know we are an essential link in the Queensland Health team.”

Mr Wynia says a big part of his role is also providing calming reassurance. “We are the first on the scene, I think most paramedics like the diversity of the job. Our ability to interact with people from all forms and walks of life and make a difference in someone’s day. Sometimes we are also there to listen.”

Despite the expected demand that will be placed on health providers as the coronavirus spreads, Mr Wynia says the biggest change for him is losing part of his life when off the job. “I think for everyone there is a bit of a loss, people miss visiting that coffee shop, socialising. For my kids it is missing out on sport. “But it is only for a little while. If everybody adheres to the rules we will see life go back to normal.”

Dr Sonu Haikerwal, general practitioner

Gold Coast general practitioner Dr Sonu Haikerwal admits she is anxious about the unknown created by the coronavirus. Still, she won’t let it keep her from her work.

The Haan Health Medical Centres co-owner and her team are treating hundreds of locals each week via the web in the midst of the outbreak.

“I think of course it has been extremely stressful for everyone in health,” Dr Haikerwall says. “Our receptionist said she has nightmares, people are concerned, there is so much that is unknown but we have all risen to the occasion.

“Our team and others have risen to the occasion helping and adapting where they can so we can look back when this is all over and know we did the right thing.”

Similar to other clinics Hann Health has moved to a telehealth model to ensure vulnerable patients are treated at home. The clinic has also worked to continue to treat patients who may not be able to pay gap fees because of a coronavirus-related job loss.

Long term Dr Haikerwal believes there will be some good come from the need to adapt to the health crisis, such as regular use of the telehealth model and closer co-ordination of all branches of health.

“Despite the challenges there is real camaraderie coming through. We are adapting and we will get through this.”

Chris Mazarire, Pharmacist

CHEMIST Chris Mazarire and staff are considering sleeping at their Gold Coast pharmacy in order to service the community during the coronavirus crisis.

Broadbeach Day and Night Chemist is open from 8am to 10pm every day but is considering having staff on site 24/7 should a health care crisis unfold and patients need medicine immediately.

Owner Julia Clare said the pharmacy had a lockable door with a slot in which scripts can be passed through and a bell service that could be used to rouse a sleeping staff member.

“We’d camp out there if we need too,” she said.

The chemist already offers a “drive through” service and deliveries to people in need.

“If someone needs an asthma inhaler and they’re at home, if we have to drive 20 minutes, we have to drive 20 minutes,” Ms Clare said.

“It needs to be for people in genuine need, and who can’t get in, and don’t have anyone to help them. I’ve organised two people for deliveries that aren’t normal staff.

“If the pharmacist needs to speak to the patient that can be done over Facetime or on the phone.

“We’ve got hourly cleaning of counter rosters, we’re taking staff temperatures before and after shifts, and on the floor we’ve marked out a 2m radius around each other.” 

Michelle Lonergan, Supermarket worker

A SMILE or a few kind words is all it takes to lift the spirits of Gold Coast supermarket worker Michelle Lonergan.

“You don’t even have to say anything, just acknowledging our presence with a smile makes us feel seen and helps us forget difficult customers,” she says.

Mrs Lonergan has worked for Coles for 28 years. She started doing night fill and now works at Coles Ormeau Village receiving the morning deliveries and managing the dairy department.

“Usually, we’d be stocking up for Easter but that’s not going to happen as we’re still trying to catch up. The trucks used to be half-full and now they’re fully stocked every day.

“Everyone is trying their best at work to get to work, which can be a juggle for parents with kids, and we’re all looking out for each other because it can get pretty stressful at times. I think more people take us for granted than I thought they would, but then others are really appreciative, especially the locals.”

Damian McKee, council worker

COUNCIL worker and part-time fireman Damian McKee is used to working on the frontline as a practical problem solver – but he has never seen anything like COVID-19.

The leading hand for the Gold Coast City Council’s afternoon shift has gone from managing more than a dozen workers on their garbage runs and other duties, to solely concentrating on the cleanliness of the city’s major public toilets – to help stop the virus spread. While he admits the job isn’t a glamorous one, he gets satisfaction from the thank-yous and smiles he and his team get when they sanitise a new space.

“Sometimes it feels like you are behind the scenes, but we do get some recognition for what we do,” he said.

“I know it seems like a small thing but we know the work we do is keeping people safe. It is a credit to our team.” 

Kara McCarthy, Childcare Director

COMFORTING distraught families who’ve lost their jobs is sadly now part of childcare director Kara McCarthy’s everyday role.

“Last week was really challenging because we had a lot of parents crying because they had lost their jobs and weren’t sure what the Government was offering,” she says. “What we decided to not talk negatively about the pandemic so when our families walk through the door they know it’s a safe haven for their children.”

Mrs McCarthy, from Amaze Gaven Child Care Centre, recently set up Facebook groups for families so they can watch live videos from educators and chat online while stuck at home.

“We’re at the frontline making sure health care and other essential workers can do what needs to be done knowing their children are in a safe and happy environment.”

Karen Spence, Driver

KAREN Spence has joined thousands of volunteers to help overworked healthcare workers doing it tough.

Ms Spence’s day charter business – My Personal Driver Gold Coast – collapsed because of coronavirus.

With “a lot of free time” on her hands she offers free transportation for medical staff.

“All my business is gone and I have no income,” she says. “It is hard but I have been thinking about stressed and tired healthcare workers. It breaks my heart and this is just the calm before the storm.”

The Mermaid Beach personal driver gives healthcare workers from Coolangatta to Beenleigh a drive to and from work in her comfy car.

“I do it any hour of the day. I just want them to be safe.”

If you want to help healthcare workers, head to Adopt a Healthcare Worker Gold Coast on Facebook.

Andrew Bain, Director of Worth Every Cent Cleaning

FIRST on the ground after a coronavirus infection, Andrew Bain is among the hundreds of cleaners literally putting a barrier between the potentially deadly virus and Gold Coasters.

The director of Worth Every Cent Cleaning and his team of 30 have continued to cleanse workplaces and homes for the vulnerable. They also do “contamination cleans”.

“Experience is a big thing in this industry. We have been working closely to follow Queensland Health guidelines to know what is required to kill the virus.

“We have the knowledge of the right chemicals for each surface and each area of the house, so I do think we protect people in our job … people are taking hygiene very seriously and showing leadership by looking after their employees in a really uncertain time.”

Mal McPherson, Surfside Buslines driver

MOVING the city’s most vulnerable or impoverished is a privilege for Surfside Buslines driver Mal McPherson.

An essential worker during the coronavirus crisis, Mr McPherson said he is proud to be in a role in which he can help people directly.

“Public transport is essential in getting the public who don’t have their own private transport to get to the places they need to get to, particularly right now when they need to get to medical centres, shopping centres and to a job if they are lucky enough to have one.

“You see a lot of regulars and you get to strike up friendships. It’s always a nice part of the job,” Mr McPherson said.

“Now the social aspect has probably diminished slightly with fewer people using the bus and people paying extra attention to   health and hygiene.”

Peter Hurley, school principal

PETER Hurley and his team at Aquinas College are among the thousands of teachers who have seen and lived the stress on parents and children.

“Teachers at Aquinas are working steadily all this week to prepare for online learning and what ever might unfold,” he said. “At the same time teachers have been on the frontline with students here at school and working in different roles to support families.

“The whole circumstance of what education and schools are to the community has totally changed.”

Mr Hurley says colleagues have taken up the challenge to create engaging work in a new virtual classroom.

“There has been a paradigm shift in education, from this point on I think teaching and learning has shifted up a whole gear,” he said

Mr Hurley says he has been thankful for the recognition his staff have received from their community. 

Sergeant Peter Venz, Queensland Police

SERGEANT Peter Venz’s role during the pandemic is on everyone’s lips, social distancing and border protection.

“We’ve been doing a lot of border enforcement on the highway at Coolangatta and the airports with the planes coming in,” he said.

“There’s just so many sad stories.

“I’ve stopped so many cars just with a ‘how are you’ and drivers have just broken down crying.”

Sgt Venz has also been tackling day-to-day offences, risking exposure. He had to arrest a man who allegedly spat in a security guard’s face. It descended into a wrestling match – and social distancing was impossible.

“It’s certainly challenging times and our role changes every day. I’ve been doing this job 24 years and we’ve worked through floods and fires, cyclones and droughts, but this is new to all of us.”

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