Welcome!

There’s a sticky note on the wall in front of me that says ‘Started WFH March 16’. That was the day when half the team were asked to Work From Home, with team were in the office and WFH had become our new way of getting the magazine out. On March 16, it was just days since the World Health Organisation had declared a pandemic was upon us all. There were 78 new infections reported for the whole country, but the panic buying in supermarkets was in full swing and the decision had been made to cancel Anzac Day, 2020. Hard to believe how much has happened and how radically all our lives have changed in the days, weeks and months since then. As I write this, our thoughts are with our friends in Victoria, and especially Melbourne, who are dealing with strict lockdowns. In the part of Sydney where I live, the world feels almost as quiet as it did during those first cautious weeks after the first lockdown restrictions eased in May. I’m sure people are fearful that the virus will take off again in our state. Other states are dealing with various restrictions on travel but have relative freedom of movement closer to home. The uncertainty is awful. But it’s not as awful as life has been for the families of those who have died of COVID-19 and the people who have struggled, or are currently struggling, with the illness. Once again, my undying admiration is with our frontline workers who are putting their own lives at risk every day, doing what they can so the rest of us stay safe and well. And there have been many lovely stories of extraordinary kindness by ordinary Aussies. We are indebted to those people as well. These are difficult times and I just want to say to all our wonderful readers, we are with you.