The ribbons represented a show of support to all those people who were considered essential workers during the pandemic.
Some still linger today.
The call to action was delivered by the Deniliquin Local Health Advisory Committee, and its take up is testament to the influence the group has in our community.
And it’s only one of the campaigns the committee has introduced since it was completely overhauled with a host of new members in February last year.
The group also introduced a sponsored Deni LHAC Chats campaign which disseminated important information about the COVID-19 rules, regulations and the importance of testing, among other topics.
It also actively supported Deniliquin Mental Health Awareness Group campaigns such as the #Deni5in5 wellness challenge during Mental Health Awareness month, and the continuing ‘We care about your mental health’ campaign.
For all these reasons and more, Deni LHAC received the Edward River Council Community Initiative of the Year award on Australia Day.
Deni LHAC chair Lourene Liebenberg accepted the award on behalf of the other members — Julie Mullins, Lyn Bond, Lynda Barclay, Meg Marshall, Chantelle Shevels and James Sides.
‘‘Deni LHAC is the link between the community and health services. It is our role to inform community about health, and likewise to inform health about our community’s needs,’’ Mrs Liebenberg said.
‘‘Together with Deni MHAG and the Deni Health Action Group, we are the voice of the community when it comes to health.
‘‘The committee for 2020 took up their positions early in February. Like everybody else, we had absolutely no idea how big the impact of COVID would be and the challenges that we would face as a community.
‘‘But COVID was not going to stop us, and LHAC found ways to use digital, social and printed media to ensure we could do what we needed to do.
‘‘It was a priority for us that our community would have the information to continue to have access to health services during COVID, and how to cross the border became an integral part of this.
The Deni LHAC Chats, published in 2020, was an award-winning health initiative, featuring our allied, community, Aboriginal and mental health services.
‘‘In the past year we formed a great partnership with Deni MHAG, bringing a number of mental health campaigns to our community.
‘‘The community has embraced all of our initiatives this year and we thank you for that.’’
Mrs Liebenberg said the campaigns have been so successful because of the ‘‘passion for health’’ each of the Deni LHAC members bring to the table.
‘‘Thank you too to the staff and management at Deni Hospital, our medical clinics, and emergency services who all work incredibly hard to provide us with the best service they are able to despite the many challenges they face,’’ Mrs Liebenberg said.
‘‘We are committed to ensuring our community stays informed about all things health and to keep our health services accountable.
‘‘We look forward to continually fostering our collaboration between all health groups, to keep community informed and to bring more great initiatives to Deni in 2021.’’
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