Not just from council but from us all. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, we have all been forced to rethink how we go about our lives.

However, I truly believe that the strength we have found in ourselves in the past will serve us so well in the weeks and months to come.

At council, we have had to take the disappointing, but necessary step of postponing our parade and concert to thank our bushfire heroes.

We've also had to cancel a host of smaller events, like our beloved library activities, and temporarily close some volunteer-run operations, like the Hat Head Library and the visitor information centres.

There will likely be more changes to come. Council is committed to ensuring that as an organisation we are fighting fit - next week, next month and next year - to support the community and maintain our core services.

I am in constant communique with the GM in regard to how the virus impacts on the Macleay Valley and what we need to do to get through this.

In these extraordinary times it falls on us all to take extraordinary steps to help our community. I would ask our community to get creative.

Ask yourself: How can I reach out to the people around me who need a hand? How can we maintain some normality?

Keep in contact with friends or family. Social-distancing shouldn't mean people are alone. Look to your local business. Can you buy a gift voucher? Order a meal to be delivered?

Now is the time to support our fantastic local businesses. The shopping frenzy that has escalated over the past few weeks has not shown us at our best at all and has added to the stress of the virus threat. I know we can do much better.

Please show the care and respect for each other that we are proud of through the coming week.