Melbourne strong: Famous Melburnians share their messages of support
AFL legend Wayne Schwass has a joined chorus of Melbourne’s most well-known identities in offering some wise words of advice to anyone doing it tough during lockdown. SHARE YOUR MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FOR MELBOURNE.
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Inspirational Victorians have joined together for the Melbourne Strong campaign – to give encouragement and hope to anyone who is struggling though the lockdown.
Today, and in coming days, inspiring Victorians who have overcome adversity, some famous and others not so well-known, send their messages of strength to you.
SHARE YOUR OWN MESSAGE OF ENCOURAGEMENT AND HOPE IN THE COMMENTS BELOW OR USE THE #MELBOURNESTRONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Victoria’s most inspirational figures are imploring the state to unite in a new resolve against coronavirus.
New Zealand volcano eruption survivor Stephanie Browitt, AFL legend Neale Daniher and Bali bombing survivor Jason McCartney are leading the effort to overcome one of the greatest challenges in our state’s history.
Everyday citizens, some who’ve fought wars and others bushfires, are also calling on Victorians to draw on the community spirit which has overcome obstacles once considered insurmountable as part of the Melbourne Strong campaign.
McCartney, who bravely regained his place playing for North Melbourne after sustaining burns to 50 per cent of his body in the 2002 Bali bombings, told the Herald Sun: “I’ve learnt over the years that regardless of the situation you’re confronted with, your strength of mind and resolve is the most important thing.”
Daniher, who has raised millions of dollars to defeat motor neurone disease since being diagnosed with the illness seven years ago, said it was time for Victorians to draw on their true grit and strength.
“Right now, more than ever we need to lean into our responsibilities to each other to beat this virus,’’ he said.
“This will ensure that the freedoms we crave re-emerge and don’t come at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society.”
The Melbourne Strong campaign — launched Monday — aims to give encouragement and hope to anyone who is struggling through the lockdown.
Share your inspirational messages for Melbourne to get us through lockdown – email news@heraldsun.com.au
Victorians who have overcome adversity, some famous and others not so, will share their messages of strength in a call to arms against COVID-19.
A similar movement in the US, Boston Strong, evoked a shared resolve in the wake of the 2013 marathon bombing.
CFA stalwart George Kucka, who in the summer bushfires saved the houses of strangers as a massive blaze tore through his own property, said the mateship which had seen Victoria through some of its darkest days could too see it emerge from the corona pandemic.
“People did work together during the bushfires — and I think we’re all starting to work together again,’” Mr Kucka, from Guys Forest west of Corryong, said.
“The spirit of community has come back I think.
“Everybody has to do their part.
“If you just sit there and wait for someone to help you it generally doesn’t happen. You have to look forward — there’s nothing else you can do. You have to get on with the job you’ve got to do. You have to be positive.”
Vietnam War veteran Andrew Marshall, 78, survived the deadly Battle of Coral – Balmoral, by night sleeping in a hole in the jungle to avoid enemy detection.
“We’ve got to stay strong,’’ he said.
“We’ve got to beat this COVID-19, we’ve got to beat it somehow, and the only way we can beat it is by obeying the rules.
“We’ve got to stay strong, and we’ve got to look after our mates.”
MESSAGES OF SUPPORT
WAYNE SCHWASS
What we choose to do with our time can help us navigate our way through the current pandemic and the various challenges and stresses we are all being forced to confront.
Wellbeing applies to 100 per cent of our population and right now every Victorian needs to focus on their personal wellbeing.
It’s even more important to prioritise and celebrate our individual and collective wellbeing. especially during times of stress, uncertainty and anxiety.
At PukaUp, we understand that wellbeing can mean different things to different people, which is why we believe it’s important to remind ourselves of the simple things that we can do daily that have a positive impact on our mental health.
Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed, anxious or sad, which I’ve felt a lot of lately, I stop what I’m doing, find a quiet spot at the nearest park, close my eyes and feel the warmth of the sun flood over my body. It’s calming, helps me feel better and I smile.
Whatever your happiness hack is, do it each and every day. We will get through this together. #WhateverWorks
AFL legend Wayne Schwass has talked openly about his mental health battle during his footy career. He is now a mental health advocate, committed to raising awareness through PukaUp.
KEVIN SHEEDY
I think our healthcare workers wear a badge of courage.
Next year I want to see a football game during the season for our frontline medical workers — as it was for our Anzacs and the bushfire heroes and victims, who we cannot forget.
Right now it’s time for everyone to reassess and make a positive out of a negative. We need positive reinforcement from every leader and a bucket list to keep us mentally strong and keep morale and energy up for family and friends.
When we grew up as kids in the ’50s, we had nothing. There was migration after the war years and it was a pretty good life.
Health and wellbeing is absolutely No 1 now. C’mon Australia. Roll up our sleeves and let’s get into life.
The premiership-winning coach, who was just 18 when his dad died, grew up in a time of hardship.
NICK RIEWOLDT
Victorians are being challenged like never before.
We are all craving and longing for the social interaction that makes up our normal lives.
I truly pray that all Victorians can find new and creative ways to stay emotionally engaged with their friends, colleagues and loved ones so that our isolation is purely physical.
Real growth comes in times of adversity and we can all take hope in the knowledge that “this too shall pass”.
We will all emerge as stronger, more resilient and supportive versions of ourselves, both individually and as a community.
An AFL champion turned Fox Footy commentator, he helped set up Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision to raise funds in the fight against bone marrow failure. He lost his sister Maddie to aplastic anaemia in 2015.
TAYLA VLAEMINCK
At the time, I thought being ruled out of the 2020 T20 World Cup with a foot injury on the eve of February’s tournament was one of the biggest challenges I’d face this year. I couldn’t even imagine being in the situation we’re in now and, while it’s going to be tough, I have no doubt we’ll get through this. I guess it’s like returning from injury: you have to follow your plan to a tee and trust it’ll pay off in the long run.
The Melbourne Renegades fast bowler, named Cricket Australia’s Young Cricketer of the Year in February, suffered a devastating foot inquiry.
WALTER MIKAC
My wife, Nanette, and daughters, Alannah and Madeline, were killed at Port Arthur in 1996. Life had changed forever and how do you get answers to that?
Many Melburnians and Victorians are asking themselves similar daunting and challenging questions right now. When will it get better? Who is responsible? From my experience, this too shall end! With the help of friends and most importantly family, we will overcome this.
Do not lose hope — there is a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how far away it feels.
Walter Mikac is the founding patron of the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. He is an author and pharmacist.
MATTEO PIGNATELLI
I reflect on some of the challenges we’ve faced together as an industry over the past 25 years and survived with the support and love from our customers, team, colleagues, family, and friends.
How could we forget the “gas crisis” caused by the Longford explosion in September 1998 and the GFC of 2007-09?
Not to mention my own personal 12-month journey battling cancer in 2015.
I remember being amazed at the care the nurses, their aides and doctors provided me, always with respect and without hesitation or question.
I’m sending a shout-out the healthcare and frontline workers who are in effect risking their lives to save ours!
Let’s show them some respect and gratitude by following the rules. It’s a small sacrifice in a challenging time.
The owner of Matteo’s restaurant in Fitzroy North was the longtime president of industry body Restaurant & Catering Australia. In 2015 he was diagnosed with lymphoma but is now in remission.
MOLLY MELDRUM
WE all know that Melbourne is a fantastic place, and the people are amazing.
We all need to help get through this and do the right thing. Please try to stay positive and happy. We need to be strong.
If we all abide by the rules, the active COVID-19 case numbers will come down.
I encourage everyone to be patient and do what we’re required to do. Please stay inside and stay safe.
I want to say thank you to all the frontline and healthcare workers. They put their lives at risk and we should appreciate that. When this is all over, I think they deserve their own parade so we can thank them personally. I came through my own challenge (an almost fatal fall in 2011). For me, the most important thing was to stay positive. The fact is, you need to listen to people who are there to help you. They are all there for a reason.
The beloved music figure was left fighting for life after he fell off a ladder in 2011.
ERIN PHILLIPS
When I did my knee in the 2019 AFLW Grand Final I remember sitting in the change rooms afterwards feeling like a huge mountain had suddenly appeared in front of me. I’d already conquered this mountain once before. How on earth would I do it again?
During my long rehab, some days felt like I’d taken two steps forward and then four steps back. But I just kept telling myself to keep going.
It was never easy, but every day that mountain became smaller and this year I proudly returned to footy.
You’ve got this, Victoria. One day at a time.
A huge thank you to your frontline workers, too.
The AFLW’s two-time best-and-fairest player has undergone multiple knee reconstructions.
NEALE DANIHER
Freedom comes with responsibility.
We all crave the freedoms we used to take for granted pre-pandemic. Life is a continual arm wrestle both personally and societally, between the freedom we yearn and the responsibility required to make freedom work for all.
Right now, more than ever we need to lean into our responsibilities to each other to beat this virus. This will ensure that the freedoms we crave re-emerge and don’t come at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society.
So, let’s do the right thing by each other, lean in, pick up and carry our responsibilities. Together we will get it done.
The AFL legend has helped raise millions of dollars to fight Motor Neurone Disease, as he battles the devastating condition himself. He was named Victorian of the Year in 2019.
OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
I have always coped with difficult times by believing that ‘this too will pass’.
I know that this quarantine can be extremely hard and frightening — but as difficult as it is, the belief needs to be that these tough measures have purpose – to see an end to this pandemic. I always think of my parents who lived through World War II and for years had rations and daily fear of the enemy — our enemy is invisible which creates extra stress, and fear of the unknown is always the hardest.
I choose to believe that good will come out of this time — we have a chance to reconnect with our families, our pets and ourselves — an opportunity that we rarely have in our busy lives. A time to be grateful for the simplest things — like the song goes — the best things in life are free. We can help ourselves by making sure we have sufficient vitamin D, C and Zinc. I am thinking of all my Aussie family and sending love and light and patience — for ‘this too will pass’.
Dame Olivia Newton-John (AC, DBE) is a Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter and actor who has sold over 100 million albums and had five US No. 1 singles. She is also a fierce advocate for cancer research and since her first diagnosis of breast cancer in 1992 has raised over $200 million to open the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness in her home town of Melbourne in 2013.
JASON McCARTNEY
I’ve learnt over the years that regardless of the situation you’re confronted with, your strength of mind and resolve is the most important thing.
Our society has enormous respect and admiration for those such as our frontline workers and those in medical services that are going above and beyond at the moment.
We have no control over what’s occurred and as a community, we must push ahead with what we can control.
Set yourself mini goals that are achievable to create structure in your day and set yourself for success in whatever way you can.
The retired footballer suffered severe burns to 50 per cent of his body in the 2002 Bali bombings. But after a long rehabilitation process, he fought his way back to playing AFL and has become a prominent motivational speaker.
MACK HORTON
So many Melburnians are doing it really tough at the moment and I feel for all of them. Behind every business is someone with a dream, it’s hard to watch business struggle with the knowledge that beyond the shop front or the coffee machine is someone trying to pursue their dream and hold onto their livelihood.
However, it is in our nature to adapt and survive. I think we have the opportunity to not only survive through this time but to live in the moment with a different kind of connection to ourselves and the world around us. Although this pandemic uproots so much of what we know and how we live day to day, it also gives us the gift of time. It is a wonderful challenge for all of us to find fulfilment in simple activities which we can take forward with us into whatever life is from now on.
Setbacks for me are something I can ultimately feel thankful for in hindsight as they strip everything back to what really matters. I’m lucky enough to have a mind that can tap into positivity, this obviously doesn’t come easily to everyone but it is incredibly powerful, and something we can all practice.
I think if we can be kind to ourselves, grateful to others and take the time to reflect on the possibilities and dreams we have for the future we can survive this.
My girlfriend Ella is a nurse in a neonatal intensive care unit so I have a glimpse into the life of a health worker but I still cannot imagine what it would be like risking your own health for the good of the community especially for those working with the Covid population.
Keep fighting the good fight, we appreciate your service and recognise the additional challenges that this pandemic presents. Thank you.
The swimming champion was due to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in July, before the games were postponed due to COVID-19. He is also an outspoken advocate for fairness in sport.
GUY PEARCE
I wanted to reach out to all my fellow Melburnians and Victorians. I’m sorry not to be there to share in this new lockdown protocol with you. I’m writing from London where we are keeping a watchful eye on the latest COVID information as well.
I can only imagine for all of you going back into Stage 4 lockdown is unbearable and the last thing you want or need. Obviously this is being implemented to quell the sudden rise in new cases over the past month or so, but still I’m sure the idea of it is much more difficult than the first time around.
It is just so tragic we are still losing people from this pandemic, of all ages it seems. It’s hard to hear it’s taken a sudden uprise in my home town and surrounding areas and I share my deepest sympathy with those who have lost loved ones. But also my heart goes out to all of you for having to endure another lockdown. I know it can’t be easy. My fingers are crossed this brings the numbers right down to the point we’re able to manage this crisis.
Stay safe, be well, find the calm and any humour you may have inside to help get you through this.
I love Melbourne and Victoria and wish you all the best.
I will hopefully be home very soon.
The Australian actor lost his father in a plane crash when he was a child and has a sister with intellectual and physical disabilities. He has recently spoken about his battle with depression. In late-2017 he also opened up about the anguish of his mother’s Alzheimer’s disease, which meant she no longer recognised him.
GINA LIANO
How legendary are Aussies really, that we’ve all stepped up to the mark.
Most people have done the right thing. The uncertainty is confronting but hang in there and when we come out we will be working as hard as we can to recover.
I think the slump will be temporary and everyone will be on the same mission.
It will be powerful and much stronger because we value our lives and how much courage we and our healthcare heroes have.
I have so much admiration for them risking their lives and my heart goes out to people who have lost loved ones. I say prayers for them every day
The barrister and Real Housewives of Melbourne star and has recovered from bowel cancer and lost her father in 2017 to influenza.
ANDREW MARSHALL
I had a son before I left and my daughter was born while I was over there. It was a year not seeing my family really — except for coming home for about a week in August 1968. I did really miss my family … I had to rely on letters.
The worst part probably was the battle of Battle of Coral — Balmoral in May 1968. Our company was attacked by Vietnamese troops and the Vietcong and we came under mortar fire … it was probably one of the biggest battles in the Vietnam conflict. When they opened up with mortars, yeah, it was scary.
We were probably lucky that we were attacked over open ground and were fairly well camouflaged in scrubby sort of bush and a few trees. All we had time to do was to dig holes in the ground … we didn’t have time to put sandbags on it to give us decent protection, so all we had was just a bit of corrugated iron over the top.
It was a fairly big hole, because two us had to be in it. We’d sleep in there … it was probably about four to five weeks that we lived in it, on and off.
It was hot but we had American rations and we had water, so that was good.
Basically now, with COVID-19, we’ve got to stay strong.
We might not always agree with the politicians, why they’re doing certain things, but we’ve got to do what they ask.
We’ve got to beat this COVID-19, we’ve got to beat it somehow, and the only way we can beat it is by obeying the rules.
We’ve got to stay strong, and we’ve got to look after our mates.
Andrew Marshall, now 78, was 26 when he served as a medic saving lives during the Vietnam War. He spent about five weeks sleeping in a hole in the ground with another soldier, in the jungle.
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