Catholic Health Australia (CHA) will pay tribute to the 80,000 hospital and aged care workers across its member network for their extraordinary efforts during the COVID-19 crisis with a series of new films.
CHA, the largest grouping of non-government health and aged care services, has released a series of videos individually highlighting the work of clinical nurses, registered aged care nurses, cleaners, cooks, and physiotherapists. The videos were shot in Melbourne at three locations as the second wave of COVID-19 hit the city.
The fly-on-the-wall films do not have a voiceover, but rather rely on real footage to depict an average day as faithfully as possible.
CHA chief executive Pat Garcia said he wanted the Catholic sector to pay tribute to those who worked tirelessly to keep the community safe.
“The hospitals and aged care facilities in the Catholic Health Australia family are so proud of their hardworking staff and we wanted to document that both to thank them now and for posterity,” Mr Garcia said.
“These quiet heroes have turned up to work every day to help people, often in the face of considerable risks to themselves.
“I know that I speak for all our members when I say that they truly are our masked heroes. But, despite their masks, they are all named in the film. We want to acknowledge the human beings behind the work.
“They have lived the Catholic values of treating people as whole human beings with kindness and compassion. They have brought dignity and strength to those in need. We thank them.”
The films were shot by The Jasper Picture Company on location at St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy, Mercy Hospital in Werribee and residential aged care facility, Mercy Place East Melbourne. The staff featured are:
- Rebecca Anderson (catering manager);
- Alicia Calleja (clinical nurse COVID-19);
- Paul Foudoulis (environmental services);
- Michael Guario (catering and housekeeping manager);
- Sonam Lama (enrolled nurse);
- Gabriella Nesci (practice nurse);
- Alex Malachowski (registered nurse); and
- Thomas Rawlings (physiotherapist)
You can view the videos here
With thanks to Catholic Health Australia.
