Millicent is a having a celebratory get-together on Sunday to acknowledge and thank the people who supported the community to get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Everyone is invited to visit Centennial Park between noon and 2pm and express their gratitude to all staff and volunteers of the Millicent Hospital as well as other health workers, local police, ambulance, SES and CFS personnel.
With the help of generous sponsors, Country Health Connect, the Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group and the Millicent Health Advisory Council are putting on some free food and entertainment.
Members of the Millicent Lions Club will cook and provide sausages and doughnuts at no charge.
Popular guitarist/vocalist Jack Lane will perform and a coffee van and ice cream van will be present.
Depending on operational requirements, some emergency services vehicles will be on display and available for public inspection.
Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group chairperson Trevor Sinclair said Centennial Park was chosen for the COVID-19 Thank You Day as it was a central location alongside the Millicent Visitor Information Centre and the National Trust Museum.
Mr Sinclair said there were toilets, ample parking and a playground at the venue.
“The concept for a Millicent community Thank You Day to recognise the people who got us through COVID-19 started after the postponement of the planned Millicent Hospital open day,” Mr Sinclair said.
“Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group members initially discussed the concept of a thank you gesture just for the staff at the hospital.
“However, we recognised that our community of Millicent and district came through the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of the commitment and hard work of many people and organisations across our community.
“This of course included our hospital, police, ambulance, SES and CFS personnel.
“The workload has been spread right across our health services with our local doctors, pharmacists and aged care facilities also playing a key role in minimising the impact of COVID-19 across our local area.
“Our health services were at the forefront with the dedication to fight the pandemic.”
According to Mr Sinclair, Sunday was also a time for community members to figuratively pat themselves on the back for coming through the COVID-pandemic.
“We can congratulate each and every one of ourselves on the efforts that we contributed in vaccinations, testing, isolation, contact tracing, wearing masks and, of course, regular hand sanitising,” he said.
“So, grab a picnic blanket, bring your family and come to enjoy the fellowship of the Millicent Thank You Day at Centennial Park between noon and 2pm on Sunday.”
