Local & Vocal Community Champions

Published on 18 August 2021

From the beginning, our response to the pandemic crisis has been locally focused, we’ve worked hard to create links with each other, within our community and our local businesses, so we can meet the challenges we face.

But with the recent introduction of Stay-at-Home Orders for Rural NSW, there’s no doubt that these are challenging times for everybody, which makes it important that we remain informed, engaged and supportive of each other, especially for those in our community who are vulnerable or isolated.

Thankfully, our Shire’s Coronavirus Pandemic Response Group (PRG), which is made up of support networks and representatives from Council, local medical, emergency, Chambers of Commerce and community service providers are supporting our efforts to keep everyone connected and supported.

For example, our Shire’s Neighbourhood Care Network, in conjunction with local volunteers are currently re-launching the network and recruiting for additional Community Coordinator roles to ensure full operational capacity in response to COVID generally and the regional COVID-19 lockdown.

These Network Community Coordinators and volunteers will work hand in hand with our community to coordinate local resources and establish personal support networks amongst our families, friends and neighbours to help protect the health and wellbeing of those in need.

The PRG’s Clinical Action Group, which is staffed by our local doctors, have also been working tirelessly to operate our Shire’s own COVID-19 Clinic to keep us safe and reduce the risk of transmission of the Coronavirus at one of our local medical clinics, which could result in the closure of that clinic.

Our local doctors and pharmacists have also been administering COVID-19 vaccinations to help keep us safe and the pharmacy has also been providing home delivery and ‘drive-through’ medicine services so people disabled by illness or injury and those self-isolating can have their prescriptions filled.

The Bellingen Shire Connects online care and response hub has also been supporting the PRG’s efforts by bringing together all of the information, activities and support services they provide into one regularly updated website to help keep our community informed as we move through the pandemic.

Ultimately, if we continue to work together to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our Shire, we’ll minimise the impacts this virus has on the way we live in our day to day lives and come out of this a stronger and more connected community.