Calare has been in total lock-down since this killer coronovirus struck Australia early March 2020.

The management of Calare Aged Care wisely declared a total lock-down. No visitors or leave for residents and strictly adhering to health requirements and entry to Calare. Calare has not got or had any virus sickness and everyone is determined to keep it this way.

Virus or not Calare, within its portals turned a negative into a positive and observed and celebrated Easter with an informal but very sincere church service, followed by Easter bunnies and egg hunts and lunch, together but apart.

Each morning early, I am up and seated in my electric wheelchair, ride into Calare's front garden to spread crumbled bread and bird seed for our wild birds of many species. Sunrise on Easter Day turned the Autumn leaves of three White Birch trees into a golden halo. A most magnificent and awesome sight. My faith told me it was truly Easter Morning. Easter Day was a day of great splendour, calm, sunny day, peaceful with good times to come. Phone calls and messages to residents and staff. Easter goodwill.

Despite lockdowns Calare paid homage, respect, gratitude and love to our people that served, to those who paid the supreme sacrifice to give us the freedom of life we enjoy today. In all the conflicts Australia has been involved in. Lest We Forget.

Seated in my wheelchair wearing my Feathered Light Horse Hat in Calares front garden waiting for dawn, my Dawn Service. A lady (across March Street from Calare Aged Care) placed a lighted candle on her front fence and "Stood To" as the sound of the Last Post floated beautifully on the 6am Dawn air from various points across the city and outlying areas.

I held the salute and spoke the Ode.

A soft caressing breeze, or was it the spirits of ours, the fallen and all who served in all conflicts to wish us all a good Anzac Day.

Staff and residents placed photos, news cuttings, messages, poppies, drawings, art and crafts in tribute on the viewing wall in Calares' wide corridor.

The tributes! paid by all who "Stood To", played music and "The Last Post" told the young the meaning of Anzac Day. Flew the Flag. You did our "Spirits" and fellow man, woman and child a great service of rememberance and love. Lest We Forget. Apart but always together.

Pause a while and contemplate the word "Mother". All through the ages "Mother" has meant first and foremost one who brought new life into the world. It is said that necessity is the "Mother of all invention". "Mother Lode" is a gold mining find. "Mothering Up" with stock etc at lambing time.

Sunday the 10th May 2020 honours all our mothers and all mothers throughout Australia. Calare Aged Care celebrated Mothers Day in great respect, gratitude and love for all mums with Calares Morning Tea, delicious lunch, flowers, presents, goodwill and cheer.

Paying homage as we all were born of a lady, our mother. No life without her. It does not stop with our birth, no, there are all the trials and tribulations, sorrows and joys of raising and setting a childs' feet firmly in life.

The viewing wall in Calare, festooned with all types of festive slogans and best wishes, flowers, photos. To mothers wherever you are and those in Calare - residents, nurses and staff. Happy Mothers Day. With love, gratitude and love.

Nurses and, some are mothers have willingly served in all conflicts throughout the world.

These nurses both female and male have given life, comfort, aid, healing, shelter and hope to man-kind throughout the ages. Serving under different names and flags. The wounded or a sick man, woman or child, you rendered all types of life enhancing methods.

The world salutes you locally, Australian and worldwide. Thank you for you are God's earthly angels. Mankind could not survive without you. You are sometimes unsung heroes on many fronts.

Not only on this Special Day but all days and nights nurses take risks, face danger, make sacrifices, all for the wellbeing and health of the injured and ill. Nurses also have to bear the news of disasters and deaths to families and friends at unknown cost to themselves.

Nurses wherever you serve or live we salute you.

May God Bless and keep you and yours in his grace, love protection and care now and forever.