What I learned in 2020: Heather Wallace
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As one of humanity’s most trying years retreats into the history books, we take a moment to reflect.
Last year, Canberrans fared through devastating bushfires, suffocating smoke, destructive hail and a global pandemic. So undoubtedly, we’ve learned some things.
Today, HerCanberra’s longtime arts writer Heather Wallace reflects on a year that challenged her beyond
Heather Wallace
Arts Writer, HerCanberra
“It turns out I suddenly find myself needing to know the plural of apocalypse.”
I never thought I’d willingly quote Riley Finn, the most forgettable of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s boyfriends, but…here we are. Thanks, 2020.
Paint a picture of you after summer 2019/20. How were you affected by the bushfires and smoke?
I can’t believe there was a time I was looking forward to 1 January 2020. By late 2019 I was juggling the end of post-graduate studies, caring for a beloved parent who needs intense medical care and delivering a heavy professional workload.
Add to that the smoke haze that made Canberra’s air the most toxic in the world and despair at the fires tearing through beloved places on the South Coast, I was glued to the Fires Near Me app and the BOM weather updates.
How did you fare in the great hailstorm of 2020?
I’ve been in hail before where I’ve pulled off the road until it passed but I’ve never seen anything like that storm. That day my car was parked in the open and along with tens of thousands of others, it was completely destroyed in just 10 minutes.
Being without a car wasn’t just an inconvenience. As a carer I need reliable transport to help my mother. Despite the hail we still had bushfires on the outskirts of the city and I needed to be ready to evacuate her and our dogs if the fire changed direction. Friends came to the rescue and two of them lent me cars for as long as I needed. Thank you Helen and Vanessa!
What were your first impressions of COVID in early 2020?
The first mentions of COVID seemed so far away. In February I was busy finding a replacement car and planning my awesome European holiday for April and May. I was Eurovision bound, with trips to Rotterdam, Helsinki and Edinburgh. Planning this magical trip was my touchstone, the bedtime story I told myself to get through the tough times.
COVID was this thing that was happening far, far away. Even when it started to creep around the world it didn’t seem to touch to us in Australia.
In early March some friends and I went to a mid-week trip to Sydney to see New Order perform. There was a huge crowd, all pressed in together. None of us were worried about this weird virus that now had Italy in lockdown. I came back on the bus the next day and went straight to work—I can’t imagine doing that now.
What was your first memory of being materially affected by COVID?
After that diagnoses things changed so fast. Within a few days political leaders were talking about the possibility of lockdown, and within a week that was a reality. Australia’s borders were closed and my magical Eurovision holiday was cancelled.
The Friday afternoon before lockdown, I went into Civic to get some essential supplies (comics are essential), and while stopped at a traffic light, the car behind rear-ended my new car. The other driver had been so stressed about COVID that they hadn’t seen me. Neither of us were hurt and the damage was fairly minor but it was just too much, too quickly and I started sobbing.
I was still sobbing when I made it into Impact Comics and lovely Mal came from behind the counter and sat with me outside while I calmed down. I’m really sorry if I scared your other customers that day Mal, I can’t tell you how much I appreciated your kindness.
What were the low points of 2020?
You’d think having one car destroyed by hail, the new one damaged in an accident, my apartment floor ruined by a freak flooding incident caused by my upstairs neighbour and my Eurovision holiday cancelled (I spent A LOT of time on the phone to my insurance company from January to March 2020) would be the low points but…it was the rat that invaded my apartment in April. See what I mean about knowing the plural of apocalypse?
As the rat ran past me, Tiffy the Jack Russell slept peacefully through its incursions. The exterminator who came to my rescue the next morning said rats were invading houses looking for food and warmth, as so many restaurants had closed during the pandemic.
Honestly, though all those things, even the rat, weren’t the low points. That was being worried about my loved ones, not being able to give or receive hugs and not knowing when this would end.
What were the high points of 2020?
Oh the utter joy in going to the hairdresser! My wonderful hairdresser Vera opened her salon again in May, and I was one of her first customers in the chair. She suggested something completely different—pink streaks!
I had nothing to lose, if I didn’t like them no one would see, but as it turned out I loved them and they’ve become part of my look.
Another highlight was seeing live theatre again in November, seeing people IN 3D after months of screen-based entertainment was thrilling and utterly spellbinding. It was an acrobatic based performance at the Canberra Theatre, so there was an element of surprise that kept me on the edge of my seat. At the end I clapped until my hands ached!
The biggest highlight though was programing some No Lights No Lycra sessions at the Canberra Dance Theatre. I discovered a hidden talent for playlists, the secret is a good mix of pop, disco, rock and making sure you end on a banger. My Halloween playlist was my favourite, and I can’t wait for more.
What’s the biggest positive change to your work or personal life that you’ll carry into the future?
The quietness of COVID made me see what was in front of me. Rather than trying to solve a problem, I started to make peace with its stages and appreciate the time I have with someone I love.
Without being forced to slow down I might have continued to fight something I can’t change and lost precious time.
What did you learn in 2020?
Gaffer tape can solve almost anything! From taping up a damaged car bumper to blocking up a rat hole, gaffer tape was my 2020 hero! Always have some on hand.
I’ve also learnt the pleasure of going to bed early. Some cold winter nights would have me in bed at 8.30 pm, with my little doggy snuggled up next to me.
Feeling her warmth and hearing her doggy snores, I’d look at the stars sparkling in the sky, and feel at peace because I was safe, warm and loved.
How are you feeling about 2021?
I’m not looking too far ahead in 2021. I’m in a holding pattern just now, not just of COVID’s making. It’s the role I’m playing in someone else’s journey.
For now my world is smaller geographically, but there’s still music to dance to, loved ones to laugh with, movies to see, gingerbread to bake, a garden to care for, books to read and deep breaths to take.
More than anything I’ll never take fresh air for granted, just now I’m loving being able to stand outside, see the sky overhead and just breathe.
