Today’s reflections come from Mark, a New Zealander, who is Head of Secondary at The Scots School, Albury, NSW, Australia.
In January we moved to Australia after four years in South Korea. I had expected to immerse myself in Australia’s amazing natural and clean environment. The years in Korea had brought a respect for countries and environments that were free from smog and pollution and had space to be free and to move unencumbered by jostling crowds and overpopulated ‘open spaces’.
Ironically, I arrived to the frightening catastrophe of bushfires and the incredible far-reaching impact of these on all of the Australian community. No sooner had these been finally brought under some control than the next challenge to an already embattled country leaked into the veins of this landscape.
Covid 19 was first perceived as a horrid but far off virus that was wreaking havoc in the Northern Hemisphere. The security of being a ‘far off land’ was short lived and within an incredibly short breadth of time Australia was calling for isolation, closure and sacrifice.
Cockatiels in Albury, NSWMy school, Scots Albury, took swift action to protect our community as quickly as possible, shifting to online education. It was initially seen as a little too quick by a few, but within three days was seen as proactive, astute and applauded. It was clear that even a regional town such as Albury was not immune. Today we have just had our first death and 26 active cases. A relatively small regional city has been brought to a standstill.
Our students are scattered around local districts interacting daily with teachers and working online. This has become a lifeline. Where only a few short weeks ago we were trying to lessen the student and family time online, we now have become totally reliant on it for our learning, social engagement, business and daily living!
There is still a state of disbelief, wonder and heightened awareness but it is not what I would call fear and certainly not panic. Our community have really pulled together (while at a distance) offering our elderly and frail support, looking at how we can help our health workers and endeavouring to comply with the rigorous isolation requirements imposed (justifiably) by the state and government.
My school is prepared and provides an amazing online education but it will never equate to the value of face to face education. We are ready to face what comes, be that a month or six, of continued e-learning. Other schools in Albury are doing the same.
The difficulty is not knowing. The landscape of the virus changes daily. We have numerous ‘scenarios’ that cover various possibilities which is probably the best one can do for now.
Albury is a positive, strongly connected community that has worked through drought followed by bushfire and now virus. This has certainly knocked us but won’t push us over.
The positives of family connections and reconnections, the ability to stay in touch on-line, the importance of community and faith in ourselves and a bright future are certainly the silver lining. Day by day…
Even though Albury is grappling with what and how this will impact the region there is a strong united force working to combat this and a resolute belief that this, like the fires and the drought, will pass and the country will rebuild.
Emergency Fund appeal for Gunjur by Marlborough Brandt Group
