These people represent the frontline heroes making sure Tasmania, Australia and the rest of the world does not succumb to the world’s worst health pandemic in 100 years.
In part two of our Mercury tribute to our frontline heroes at the coalface of the coronavirus crisis, we share more stories of essential workers and their services helping to keep the community going and looked after during this pandemic.
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SALUTE TO OUR HEROES PART ONE: WORKERS AT COALFACE OF CORONAVIRUS CRISIS
Dr Raj Wicks, The Dog Clinic owner
A VETERINARY surgeon has been witnessing humanity shine through during troubling times.
The Dog Clinic owner Dr Raj Wicks said clients were showing more appreciation for vets looking after their pets.
“Clients have brought us Easter chocolates because they know we’re running hard at the moment,” he said.
He said the new consultation and medication delivery process was time consuming and challenging.
“I can’t tell if customers are concerned or upset on the phone, and I don’t know what they’re financially going through,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, he said dogs were helping owners maintain purpose and structure amid an uncertain time.
He said his “compassionate” staff were all determined to stay healthy and continue providing care.
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Ricky Wood, Coles Bridgewater line duty manager
Coles Bridgewater line duty manager Ricky Wood said bringing fresh food to peoples’ doorsteps during the coronavirus crisis felt less like a job and more like a fulfilling community service.
He said after seven years delivering food to customers, his favourite part of the job was conversing with the regulars.
After Coles temporarily paused and modified their online system to meet demand, Mr Wood said it was “really nice” to see one of his regular elderly customers once again smiling through her screen door.
“She was absolutely over the moon,” he said.
“She wasn’t sure how she was going to get her groceries.
“It was great to see her big smile and have her little dog come to the door because he’s used to seeing us.”
He said his delivery team was staying optimistic and adapting well to new procedures.
Justin Cordwell, TasWater Southern Networks manager
TasWater networks manager Justin Cordwell said he was proud of his workers for operating tirelessly through the Easter period and beyond.
He said some 70 staff were in the field working on sewer blocks, burst water mains and preventive and reactive maintenance to keep the public’s drinking water supply safe.
“We’ve recently had a lot of blocks come through due to wet wipes being flushed down the drain,” he said.
“It’s causing a lot of headaches.”
He said despite most people staying indoors, members of the public were still reporting incidents to the 13 6992 hotline.
He said the safety of his workers was his number one priority during the COVID-19 period.
“Morale has dropped a bit, but we have daily meetings and chats over the phone,” he said.
“We’ve all come together and it’s really fantastic to see.”
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Aiden Grace, Australia Post delivery worker
FOR postie and TSL footballer Aiden Grace, the opportunity to deliver important medications and ride his pushbike in the sunshine is a “privilege”.
Since his matches with Glenorchy Football Club dried up during the coronavirus pandemic, he said he was grateful to keep his full-time job at Australia Post.
“Footy is the thing I miss the most, but it’s pretty good to get out and get fresh air,” he said. “That’s the bit I like most.
“You’re always on the move and getting extra exercise.”
He said extra safety, hygiene and distance precautions helped him feel safe while working on the front line, although he missed catching up with his favourite customers.
“We can’t have that great interaction anymore, but we’re still able to meet their needs,” he said.
“Especially for the elderly people who can’t get out and about, we feel good about getting their parcels delivered for them.”
He said letter deliveries had somewhat dropped off, but parcels were “through the roof”.
He said he was keeping busy and active by riding his bike 20km a day and following a more solo football training regimen.
Daniel Kearney, East Coast Car Rentals CEO
A Hobart Airport-based business has lent a helping wheel to essential service workers as public transport becomes less desirable.
East Coast Car Rentals will now offer their vehicles for $50 a week instead of the usual $350 for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The offer was launched by CEO Daniel Kearney to keep workers protected from health and safety risks on public transport.
He said the health care industry was “close to my heart”, with his mother and grandmother involved in the nursing industry.
“I have seen first-hand how hard these people work and understand the upmost importance of their diligence in avoiding exposure to COVID-19 as best they can,” he said.
“With our fleet of hundreds of vehicles on the ground and available for use, it just makes perfect sense for us to offer these to our fantastic essential service workers.”
Doctors, nurses, paramedics, midwives, pharmacy workers, aged and health care workers, supermarket and grocery store workers aged over 21 are eligible for up to 100km of cover per day.
Essential service workers are encouraged to phone East Coast Car Rentals’ reservations team on 1800 327 826 or +61 (07) 5555 8900 to secure their vehicle.
Robert Van Tienen, Mood Food Grand Central site manager
SERVICE stations are playing a key role in keeping Tasmania’s essential service workers moving.
Launceston’s Mood Food Grand Central, a Tasmanian owned family business on one of the city’s main veins, is still operating 24 hours a day.
Site manager Robert van Tienen said he and his staff were lucky to be part of an essential service.
“It’s an honour to know that we’re a part of the group of people that’s keeping the state going, doing our part to keep everything moving as best we can,” he said.
Emergency service workers, tradies, taxi drivers, truck drivers and many other essential workers stop at all hours of the day and night for meals and fuel up their vehicles.
“We do what we can as much as we can and keep everything kicking along,” he said.
“I doubt very much that there is any business that hasn’t been affected to be honest, but you adjust and do what you need to do to make it function and I think everyone is doing the best they can with the situation.”
Neil Street, Aurora Customer Service Adviser
THE state is being powered by more than 300 Aurora Energy workers who have had to adapt to working from home.
Customer service adviser Neil Street has set up in his living room in Launceston helping Tasmanians pay their bills and get connected to the energy retailer over the phone.
Mr Street said the transition was easy enough, with almost all of the workers that were able to, working from their homes within about a week of “everything blowing up” with restrictions introduced.
“It’s a bit different because my son is here doing school work as well sometimes, but he just sits off in the background and doesn’t make any noise,” he said.
Mr Street said he was happy to be able to keep helping locals.
“We want to help Tasmanians, that’s what we’re here for, especially in these trying times, to just basically help as many customers as we can.”
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