Sweet Sunday treat shows solidarity

ON Sunday, community members were encouraged to get flipping in the kitchen to show their support for healthcare workers at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Solidarity Pancakes Day was an idea born out of Melbourne lockdowns by Vic Health CEO, Dr Sandro Demaio, and has garnered global online support on social media.

Bendigo Health got behind the initiative for their workers last week, topping pancakes donated by Green’s Baking at the Gobbe Wellness Centre.

Oncology nurse Jenna Sing said it was wonderful to see the community join the effort as she enjoyed maple syrup and raspberry pancakes.

“It’s a symbolic gesture that we are taking that time out to think of the healthcare workers and the sacrifices they’ve made throughout the last two years,” she said.

“Almost two years of this type of workload has been quite exhausting and I look forward to when the pressure is off a little bit, and we can go back to normal life.

“We’ve had really nervous patients, staff shortages due to exposure sites and people needing to be tested.

“It’s been quite a stressful time but hopefully we’re on the end of it and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.”

City of Greater Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf supported the cook-up and said the initiative was about supporting all workers involved in the local health service.

“It is the nurses, chemists, cleaners, everybody at Bendigo Health and in the healthcare industry,” she said.

“They’ve done a tremendous job throughout all of the pandemic. They’ve probably still got a lot of work ahead of them as well, as everyone opens up, so this is just to say thank you.”