Daniel Robinson's heart warms each time there's a delivery made across western NSW. Albeit small, he knows, one by one, each gesture is making a big difference.
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The Dubbo COVID Logistics Centre service lead, Mr Robinson has helped orchestrate the delivery of more than 1000 packages to those in desperate need of help throughout what has been the worst of times across the far west during this outbreak.
Dubbo, as we know, has felt the brunt of the pandemic. The Local Government Area has recorded over 450 cases of the virus since the initial case was detected in early August.
And since that time - August 13, to be exact - it's been Mr Robinson and his team picking up the pieces for hundreds of families in the city.
"One instance has stuck with me," he began.
"It was when one of our runners had dropped a package of some kids craft supplies out to them.
Knowing (the kids) were safe was really heartening and encouraging. Those are the sorts of things that have kept these guys going.
- Dubbo COVID Logistics Centre service lead, Daniel Robinson
"A couple of days later they were driving past to do another delivery and they saw the kids on the front verandah playing with those paints and colouring in.
"Knowing they were safe was really heartening and encouraging. Those are the sorts of things that have kept these guys going."
As Mr Robinson alludes to, the team has been targeting COVID-19 cases and close contacts across the Dubbo LGA, bringing them necessities from monitoring kits to medication, food and cleaning products.
This help is designed to ensure patients and close contacts stay in isolation.
"We've been providing, putting together and delivering, care packages to COVID-19 patients in the community as well as those at risk close contacts who are isolating," he said.
"These packages have helped patients and their families get through ... without the need to be worrying about potentially breaking that isolation to get a hold of those necessities. It's also provided people to feel more comfortable in an incredibly tough time."
Recipients for this program are identified through Aboriginal Supports Officers as well as through the COVID Care and Community Team.
"Our team is made up of Local Health District staff as well as some Rural Fire Service staff," Mr Robinson said.
"It's heartening to see the dedication the team has been putting in over these past six weeks.
"This is a seven day a week service and that has meant a lot of time missing with family and needing to dedicate that time to the community, so it's been great to see that community spirit there. It is an incredibly rewarding experience for us to be able to give back and support in a really practical manner."
Naturally, an operation of this size hasn't been done by a small band of people.
And Mr Robinson was quick to highlight the work of the entire community, and the dozens, even hundreds, of volunteers who are driving this service.
"The amazing support that we've got from some of the local businesses and organisations, and also the Australian wide businesses and organisations, has been incredible," he added.
He said the ADF and the NSW Police the RFS, Resilience NSW, Foodbank and Australian Harvest, Mid West Foods here in Dubbo, Sydney Children's Hospital, Coles, Woolworths, Kimberly Clarke Buninyong Community Centre, Uniting Care and Dubbo Regional Council have all supported the venture.
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