Health workers are being hailed as heroes on the streets of Wagga, with the community giving them gifts in a show of appreciation for their work fighting coronavirus on the front lines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Wagga Base Hospital workers have been regularly treated to surprise gifts, everything from free cakes, essential oils and pizza to just regular old words of encouragement to lift their spirits.
Intensive care unit nurse Roylene Stanley said her colleagues at Wagga Base Hospital were feeling the love from the community.
"All the patients that have come through ICU are so grateful, and with the limited visiting hours at the moment, we are their support service and they are eternally grateful," Ms Stanley said.
"The help and support of local business is greatly appreciated. There's also support from friends who have offered to do our shopping and are doing 'are you ok?' checks."
In other news:
The Source Bulk Foods owner Rick Storrier gave each of the 50 ICU workers a jar of soup mix to help make those gruelling shifts a little bit more bearable.
"It's a really practical, easy meal and it's what they're going to need if they're super busy up there," he said.
"It's even more important now to reach out and give to others; we're a community and we're all in this together."
Sensational Slices owner Krystie Gibbs and her mum Leonie Roberson put their baking skills to good use, whipping up 16 trays of slices to help boost morale.
Even though their profits have taken a sharp dip due to cafes and restaurants closing down, the mother and daughter team were still determined to do their bit to help out the health workers.
"We want to support charities and people doing it tough on the front line," Mrs Roberson said.
"We just thought we'd donate some to let them know we're thankful for what they're doing."
New Oceanic owner John Spanos delivered an order of fish and chips to the hospital workers and refused to take their money.
"Mate, it's a small gesture compared to what they have to endure," Mr Spanos said.
"They're on the front lines and every day they have to face the unknown, so shouting them fish and chips was the least we could do."
Wagga, Kooringal and Tolland Domino's franchisee Owen Satchell has donated over 400 pizzas to help boost hospital morale.
"We have been struggling for a few weeks, but our business goes on and we are trying to give back to the community," Mr Satchell said.
"Our health workers might not have time to cook or sit down for a meal with their families, but at least they can have a bit of a break with their colleagues and enjoy a pizza or two or 30."
We have removed our paywall from our stories about coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we aim to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.