Local heroes of the pandemic presented with Somerset Medal
A select few of Somerset’s many unsung coronavirus heroes have been presented with awards as the first ever winners of the Somerset Medal.
The Somerset Medal was launched by Somerset County Council to say a heartfelt thank-you to the best of the best, with the winners honoured at a special reception at Taunton Rugby Club this week.
Somerset’s Lord Lieutenant Annie Maw spoke at the start of the ceremony before the medals were presented by Council Vice Chair Councillor Mark Keating.
Those honoured included local vaccination volunteers, food deliverers, PPE producers, pop-up shop keepers and a whole host of other good Samaritans who all went above and beyond to make sure Somerset kept going during the pandemic.
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I should have known there was no need to hesitate when I received an invitation to a living wake in April.
The title “Cocktails in the Departure Lounge” and stipulation that laughter and cheer were compulsory was a good indication this was set to be typically imaginative and joyful.
John Hoerner and Alison Waters pictured together at the living wake.
Other parties held by my friends Alison Waters and John Hoerner have always been unpredictable, lively and unstaged. Some of the greatest friendships of my life began at the parties held in their South Yarra apartment.
But a living wake seemed unsettling. The thought of saying goodbye to John whose health had been declining since suffering three strokes in 2003, leaving him with only the most narrow tunnel vision, was daunting. He was a lovely man. A brilliant ideas man, a courageous entrepreneur, a champion of artists but, mostly, a very kind, tender man with a clear sense of himself.
Living wake: Saying goodbye to my friend, John, before he died theage.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theage.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Unsung heroes of the pandemic honoured with Somerset Medal on Somerset Day
The Somerset Medal has been launched to thank to those who have gone above and beyond for the community during the past year
Somerset Medal recipients Ian Kelham, Sarah Kana-ah and Lauren Parker
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