Diary of a food survivor

BY SAMANTHA ELLEY

Have you forgiven the food?

I know it sounds like a really strange question to ask, but bear with me.

If the food was a human being, that had come in and destroyed your home and your belongings and cost the good part of 16 months of your life, as you got back on your feet, would you be able to look them in the eye and forgive them?

While February 2022 (and March) was not human, it has been responsible for the situation you have found yourself in to date, and the difference of how you deal with it, maybe the difference between forgiving or getting bitter over it.

I still am remembering certain items that I now no longer have and there is that little bit of hurt that accompanies it. That pashmina I bought in Malaysia many years ago, the only photos in existence of my greatgrand parents 50th wedding anniversary, the list goes on. But I don’t want to dwell on it. They were

Northern NSW Local Health District

things and I want to move on. Life is for living, not getting bitter over. Now I want to look at the positive elements that have arisen from the event. My lovely new kitchen and bathroom, the new design of the rest of the house and the intangible including the generosity and help poured out by family, friends and strangers.

Even stranger, I reckon there is a lot we can be thankful for because of the food. If you can’t see it straight away in your personal circumstances, don’t give up looking. I want to get excited about the future, especially as we draw nearer to being empty nesters and the level of freedom that comes with that. I love the community I live in because I’ve seen how we have rallied, including the local Makers market that I was frst time involved with over the weekend. We have so many creative people and while I was there spruiking my book, I did buy a scented candle as did my friend who was selling her earrings. I believe she came away with some cookies as well.

North Coast NSW Human Research Ethics Committee seeks male community representative

The North Coast NSW Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is seeking expressions of interest for a male community representative.

We’re looking for a member of the public with no professional or specialised knowledge in medical, scientifc, legal or academic work and with no affliation with NSW local health districts.

The North Coast NSW HREC provides advice and guidance on health-focussed research proposals, ensuring studies are high-quality and scientifcally valid and designed with the wellbeing of patients in mind.

The minimum HREC membership requires one male and one female community representative to be able to operate in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007)

This is an unpaid volunteer position. To be eligible, you need access to a computer and a commitment to attend a monthly meeting online or via phone (generally the 2nd Thursday of each month) for up to 2 hours commencing at 1pm.

How to apply

If you would like to know more about the role or would like to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), please email Rebecca Lavery, Executive Offcer, North Coast NSW Human Research Ethics Committee: NNSWLHD-ethics@health.nsw.gov.au. Please use the subject heading: HREC EOI – male community representative.

To submit an EOI, please include:

• Name and contact details

• Current occupation

Any affliation/s with health, medical, legal, scientifc, academic institutions

• Any previous ethics experience in human research or other domains

Any additional information to support your application

• A copy of your resume/CV

Expressions of interest close 4.30pm Friday, 14 July 2023

For more information, visit nnswlhd.health.nsw.gov.au/ human-research-ethics-and-governance/