COVID-19: Why Community Spirit Matters

In just a matter of months, we have seen first-hand how something like COVID-19 can devastate our global and local economies, bringing to light just how important community is. 

This is no more evident than the simple support and adherence to Australia’s social distancing rules, which has enabled us to become one of the few nations to flatten the infection curve of the pandemic.

In Australia, the crisis has seen some amazing community support stories like people placing teddy bears in their front windows to cheer up passers-by, or the two young girls from Queensland who used their pocket money to buy toilet rolls for their elderly neighbours.

On a local community front, there have been some heartwarming community spirit stories like Tin Roof Ballarat donating masks to UFS Medical Ballarat (in order to help out with their low stock levels), to later receive a huge coffee order from UFS staff.

On a business front, buying local has always been on our to-do list, but has suddenly presented itself as a must-do if we are to keep the local economies in regional cities like Ballarat and Geelong afloat.

To this end, we have seen some remarkable communities adapt and lead the change required to weather one of the most difficult storms Australian’s have faced.

Often, the hard work of local business owners, producers and makers go unseen, but in a time of crisis this refreshed exposure may just be what’s required to set the wheels in motion for a fresh look at what ‘supporting local’ really means.

Eat Drink West works to promote the region’s producers and have just introduced local fresh produce boxes that include seasonal fruit, vegetables, milk, sourdough, meat and eggs.

Online, Facebook Groups like Ballarat Small Business & Home Deliveries and Geelong Small Business & Community Connections, continue to pop-up in response to the need for local community small business awareness.

Local Councils are also stepping up to the plate, with The City of Greater Geelong announcing a $50,000 support package for Geelong’s Food Relief Centre, who provide food assistance to those living in difficult circumstances. 

While, the Golden Plains Shire Council’s Be Kind to Business campaign is encouraging residents to support local businesses still trading, by moving the Golden Plains Farmers’ Market in Bannockburn online.

We are obviously not over the final hurdle of COVID-19 yet, but I believe the community spirit displayed by so many Australian’s will get us there.

A sense of community is a core value at JK Personnel, so we look forward to being able to support the people of our region during 2020 and beyond.

– JK Managing Director, Tim Walshe