In our final episode we check back in with Dr Pat Charles and Dr Andrew Casamento - both from Austin Health - for some final thoughts and an overview as to where things currently stand with Covid treatment and services, and how the health care system is holding up 2.5 years into the pandemic.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

‘Underlying health conditions’ is a phrase we have heard repeatedly throughout the pandemic.

Today we talk to Katia (who has a range of autoimmune illnesses and some other underlying health conditions) and her mum Sue about their family’s pandemic experience more generally and their recent bout of Covid more particularly.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

Today we talk with Alistair who uses heroin, about his experience of the pandemic. The pandemic has truly posed many unexpected challenges for our society, including how to support people who were regularly using drugs when everyone was required to stay at home

We also talk to Peter who explains what happened to his friends who were homeless, and to Dr Nico Clark, who runs the injecting room facility in North Richmond about the public health response.

This episode features Alistair, Peter and Dr Nico Clark.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

A sad story on our podcast today … Ray Sneddon talks about his wife Marilyn, a nurse who stepped out of retirement to help with the quarantine program, and who lost her life to Covid in November 2021.

She spent four weeks in ICU at The Alfred before her death, and amongst other things, Ray talks about the hospital experience for families who couldn’t see their loved ones when they were so ill.

We also talk to Dr Andrew Casamento who is an ICU specialist currently at Austin Health to learn more about the pandemic experience from the perspective of a doctor working in ICU particularly and in the Victorian hospital system more generally.

This episode features Ray Sneddon and Dr Andrew Casamento.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

Today our podcast is all about missing out … mainly on travel! Fleur tells us about her aborted Singapore holiday plans in January 2022 after her family of six caught Covid, and then we also talk to David about his delayed plans - including a trip to Antarctica.

David also provides some insight into the impacts of the pandemic on Australian and international musicians and artists he regularly works alongside.

This episode features Fleur Warburton and David Bridie.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

Chloe's partner Don was in remission with leukaemia when the pandemic started and she was understandably particularly worried about the potential health impacts for him and vigilant about avoiding bringing it into their house. This is her story.

This episode features Chloe Hooper.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

The inbound travel industry ground to a halt virtually overnight back in 2020 when international borders closed due to Covid. In this episode we start with Simon’s story, and then also hear from Terry about the impacts of Covid on their separate but related businesses … how they have managed through the pandemic, and how they are feeling 2+ years on.

This episode features Simon Greenland and Terry Smit.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.

When Sally caught Covid she wasn’t anticipating feeling exhausted just walking up the steps to her house months after her illness.

In this episode Sally talks about her experience of catching Covid and the impacts of her lingering symptoms on her health and wellbeing, her social life and her work.

We also talk to Dr Pat Charles from the Austin Hospital to find out more about long Covid.

This episode features Sally Rippin and Dr Pat Charles.

Alphington Community Centre is pleased to document and present this series of local Covid stories. The podcast was conceived and produced by Leanne Coughlin and Tony Wilson. The original theme music is by David Bridie. The fabulous graphics are by Lee Arkapaw.

You can contact us at info@alphington.org.au or visit our website www.alphington.org.au.

This project was funded by the Victorian Government.