As children go back to school, diners head back into restaurants and cafes in limited numbers, and many of us return to the office, we are all adjusting to the ‘new normal’.

It’s been a rough time for the Hawkesbury over the last six months, with bushfire, floods, and the economic impact of COVID-19, but we have come together as a community to support each other and those who need it most.

I’ve done my best to support and thank a few of those helpers. I was very pleased to be able to thank our tireless healthcare workers – nurses, doctors, admin staff, cleaners – who have seen us through the pandemic at Hawkesbury Hospital by dropping off some sweet treats for afternoon tea commissioned from The Humble Bakery at Bligh Park.

My office has also been in touch with more than 1000 older residents throughout the electorate, with volunteers checking in to see if they needed any assistance during what was a very isolated and uncertain time for many.

And Centrelink staff at Windsor have been on the frontline of the pandemic, compassionately dealing with many people who were particularly vulnerable and unsure of their future. As a thank you to those workers, I shouted coffee all day at Common Grounds in Windsor.

I’ve been encouraging support of our local businesses with the Macquarie Marketplace map (susantempleman.com.au/macquarie-marketplace), and, to help those in the arts, I held a virtual town hall meeting broadcast on Facebook with Shadow Arts Minister, Tony Burke.

You can support local musicians by downloading my Macquarie Mixtape on Spotify and YouTube. I’m also encouraging businesses to play it in-store as people gradually come back through the doors.

We know the ‘new normal’ is going to mean we have to remain vigilant to the threat of coronavirus, so please, keep