Despite being thousands of miles from home, I am actually feeling very blessed during this time. I live with my four children and husband in a rural part of Western Australia (WA) called the wheatbelt and our home affords us great space and freedom.
We have not had any confirmed cases of coronavirus in the area and a very low infection rate overall. The eastern states have been more affected, I am presuming due to their higher populations, living in closer proximity to each other.
Non-essential travel
The physical distance in WA has been of a great benefit during this time. That along with the fact the government closed down non-essential travel between the regions has also minimised community spread.
Reader Enrika Grogan writes about living in rural Australia with her husband and four children Sadie, Eli, Devin and Ayla during Covid-19
Most importantly, I have my sister Leza, her husband Dane and my brother James living close by and we have been able to support one another. I think these things are making all the difference to my peace during this time.
The schools here did not close and there were mixed messages about what the ‘right thing’ to do was
The bit I struggled with originally was whether to take my kids out of school or not. The schools here did not close (only for the Easter holidays as usual) and there were mixed messages about what the ‘right thing’ to do was.
The hard line from the Department of Education initially was that kids were expected to be in school. But we had groups and individuals from the health industry coming out on social media urging parents to keep their children at home.
I was very conflicted that week until I made the decision myself to listen to the doctors and nurses (my sister being a nurse here also swayed my decision).
And a few days after I had taken my kids out, a much more relaxed message was released by the department saying learning at home would be supported.
New routine
I enjoyed having my kids home and we adjusted well to a new routine which allowed me to get my work done and their learning done in as cohesive a manner as possible.
The schools are now open again and as of 18 May, all children are expected to be back in school, notwithstanding a doctor’s note.
The federal government have been very generous with their stimulus packages for small business
In regard to the work aspect, I can work from home quite easily as I am self-employed although it was made immeasurably harder trying to home-school at the same time!
I am in the process of expanding my business services and I wonder how they will be received when so many businesses are struggling.
Enrika Grogan with her daughter Sadie preparing for the Australian winter.
As my services are based around book-keeping and small business strategy, I am very busy pivoting to deal with this new world environment.
The federal government have been very generous with their stimulus packages for small business and I have been navigating them on behalf of my clients. I appreciate being busy with work during this uncertain time.
Stressful
My husband owns and runs an earthmoving and stockfeed/garden supplies business which has also been busy thus far, although winter is usually our quiet time of year, so that will most likely change and then things may become financially stressful.
As mentioned, the government have been very proactive in issuing stimulus packages to support the small business economy and that business has already benefited from some of those measures.
Our aim is to look after our staff, both from a duty of care aspect, as well as financially, as much as we can in the current climate and keep the doors open.
There is a road map to release the restrictions as long as the case numbers stay low, which may mean life returns to almost normal sooner rather than later.
I have never had such an opportunity to focus purely on my most important priorities in life
Personally, I am seeing plenty of silver linings to come from this time, mainly arising from the lack of external distractions and the release from the many commitments associated with kids, work and community living.
I have never had such an opportunity to focus purely on my most important priorities in life.
Positive initiatives
I am also loving seeing the creativity and positive initiatives to come from this crisis right across the world, from balcony dance parties to the positive focus on the vulnerable in our society to the increase in shopping local and staying local.
It is a time of great unification, despite the social distancing. None of this negates those who are suffering and the courage of those whom we should be so grateful to for keeping the wheels turning across the globe.
I think of home often and am very glad that my family are keeping well. We have enjoyed more FaceTime and Zoom sessions and managing the time difference has been easier as we have all been home more.
We are lucky that this happened when the internet is accessible to most. For me, there is far more to be grateful about than to feel aggrieved.
Stay well everyone.
If you would like to share your thoughts with us, please send your stories and pictures to icl@farmersjournal.ie with Reader Writes in the subject line.
Read more
Reader writes: the night I nearly met John Prine
Reader Writes: adapt or go hungry
Read writes: poetry corner with Ciarán Guckian
Despite being thousands of miles from home, I am actually feeling very blessed during this time. I live with my four children and husband in a rural part of Western Australia (WA) called the wheatbelt and our home affords us great space and freedom.
We have not had any confirmed cases of coronavirus in the area and a very low infection rate overall. The eastern states have been more affected, I am presuming due to their higher populations, living in closer proximity to each other.
Non-essential travel
The physical distance in WA has been of a great benefit during this time. That along with the fact the government closed down non-essential travel between the regions has also minimised community spread.
Reader Enrika Grogan writes about living in rural Australia with her husband and four children Sadie, Eli, Devin and Ayla during Covid-19
Most importantly, I have my sister Leza, her husband Dane and my brother James living close by and we have been able to support one another. I think these things are making all the difference to my peace during this time.
The schools here did not close and there were mixed messages about what the ‘right thing’ to do was
The bit I struggled with originally was whether to take my kids out of school or not. The schools here did not close (only for the Easter holidays as usual) and there were mixed messages about what the ‘right thing’ to do was.
The hard line from the Department of Education initially was that kids were expected to be in school. But we had groups and individuals from the health industry coming out on social media urging parents to keep their children at home.
I was very conflicted that week until I made the decision myself to listen to the doctors and nurses (my sister being a nurse here also swayed my decision).
And a few days after I had taken my kids out, a much more relaxed message was released by the department saying learning at home would be supported.
New routine
I enjoyed having my kids home and we adjusted well to a new routine which allowed me to get my work done and their learning done in as cohesive a manner as possible.
The schools are now open again and as of 18 May, all children are expected to be back in school, notwithstanding a doctor’s note.
The federal government have been very generous with their stimulus packages for small business
In regard to the work aspect, I can work from home quite easily as I am self-employed although it was made immeasurably harder trying to home-school at the same time!
I am in the process of expanding my business services and I wonder how they will be received when so many businesses are struggling.
Enrika Grogan with her daughter Sadie preparing for the Australian winter.
As my services are based around book-keeping and small business strategy, I am very busy pivoting to deal with this new world environment.
The federal government have been very generous with their stimulus packages for small business and I have been navigating them on behalf of my clients. I appreciate being busy with work during this uncertain time.
Stressful
My husband owns and runs an earthmoving and stockfeed/garden supplies business which has also been busy thus far, although winter is usually our quiet time of year, so that will most likely change and then things may become financially stressful.
As mentioned, the government have been very proactive in issuing stimulus packages to support the small business economy and that business has already benefited from some of those measures.
Our aim is to look after our staff, both from a duty of care aspect, as well as financially, as much as we can in the current climate and keep the doors open.
There is a road map to release the restrictions as long as the case numbers stay low, which may mean life returns to almost normal sooner rather than later.
I have never had such an opportunity to focus purely on my most important priorities in life
Personally, I am seeing plenty of silver linings to come from this time, mainly arising from the lack of external distractions and the release from the many commitments associated with kids, work and community living.
I have never had such an opportunity to focus purely on my most important priorities in life.
Positive initiatives
I am also loving seeing the creativity and positive initiatives to come from this crisis right across the world, from balcony dance parties to the positive focus on the vulnerable in our society to the increase in shopping local and staying local.
It is a time of great unification, despite the social distancing. None of this negates those who are suffering and the courage of those whom we should be so grateful to for keeping the wheels turning across the globe.
I think of home often and am very glad that my family are keeping well. We have enjoyed more FaceTime and Zoom sessions and managing the time difference has been easier as we have all been home more.
We are lucky that this happened when the internet is accessible to most. For me, there is far more to be grateful about than to feel aggrieved.
Stay well everyone.
If you would like to share your thoughts with us, please send your stories and pictures to icl@farmersjournal.ie with Reader Writes in the subject line.
Read more
Reader writes: the night I nearly met John Prine
Reader Writes: adapt or go hungry
Read writes: poetry corner with Ciarán Guckian
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