Pat Cummins, Australian Test cricket vice-captain "I've loved realising that so many things aren't as urgent as they first seem, and the world doesn't have to run 24 hours a day. Also, I've been carving out more time to FaceTime with friends and family, so that we have a family catch-up once a week online, whereas before getting everyone's schedules aligned to meet up could take weeks.Being on the road 90% of the time, means I haven't a home routine every day. That has been welcome, too!" Sam Groth, Australian tennis player, sports broadcaster and television host "It's made me realise how important social connections are with friends and family in my life, and how much I miss that. I can't wait to get together with my mates again as soon as possible.With no access to organised sport, I bought a bike and have been exploring Melbourne's bike trails with my wife. With no travel or tennis, I've found myself looking at different options around my media work, and am currently in the process of creating a new sports show. I'm hoping that I'll be able to carry all of this on once we all start to move forward." Henry Hutchison, Australian Rugby 7s player "I've learnt I'm no good at puzzles, but I have definitely gotten a lot better at 500 haha. More importantly, I've realised the importance of staying connected with the people that you care for but simultaneously learning to be happy alone. Covid has definitely stressed my ability to interact with people over the last few weeks, which I found quite difficult. However, it has taught me to enjoy and cherish the time to myself more. Pre-COVID I always needed to be occupied or accompanied to enjoy the day! It would be quite draining on myself and the people around me. So maybe I should bring that into the recovery and give my friends a well-deserved break from me!!" Simon Upton, Photographer "I've learnt from Covid-19 plenty of things, but the most important thing I think we will all take out of this is that none of us will take even the most simple of things in life for granted. We've seen a virus that has supposedly stemmed from a wet market in China leave us in a position where we aren't working, and our society is crippled, with the economy in ruins. Not to mention, the simple everyday catch-ups with friends — our simplest of pleasures taken away." Matt Purcell, Entrepreneur and Podcaster “Covid has pushed pause on all of our plans and ventures to some degree, which has tested not just our ability to work, but our virtues as a human being. It’s re emphasised to me the importance of structure, and the first step requires you to admit that you cannot have all things that are good at the same time - you must prioritise. I intend to keep elements of my new Covid structure moving into the future.” Steve Pennells, five-time Walkley award-winning investigative journalist "As with everyone, the impact on me was brutal and abrupt. My work has always involved a lot of international travel, and suddenly everything was either cancelled or in limbo. Projects that had seemed so important a week earlier were now insignificant. A lot of mates in the film, tv and music industries are doing it particularly tough. Shows, gigs and work they had lined up for months have been scrapped with no sign of relief any time soon.If there's any silver lining to what's happening, it's that it's been kind of a personal forced re-boot which, in its own weird way, was probably what I needed. I've been checking on and reconnecting with old mates, trying to make the perfect beef and Guinness pie and I've picked up my old guitar for the first time in years. That doesn't mean I can play, but hey, it's progress.What am I learning besides old Creedence songs? Empathy, appreciation, patience and self-reflection. We're going to be walking out of all this into a changing world. Hopefully, we bring with us the best of what we've found." David Bonney, Stylist "I've learnt that, #1, I give way less of a fuck about how things are supposed to be, and #2 that I can repurpose anything that comes into the house as an outfit, snack or cocktail ingredient.What has become most important is letting loved ones know how much they mean, looking out for people, and appreciating the folks who haven't had the luxury of isolation."What do I hope to carry with me into recovery? I hope to find more joy in the freedoms I'd taken for granted, and to carry with me more compassion." Ben Farinazzo, Australian Army veteran and ambassador for Soldier On and Australia Day "COVID-19 has taught me that I am incredibly grateful to be an Australian surrounded by a strong and caring community that comes together in times of hardship. I am deeply concerned for the disadvantaged and others in the world that don't have access to clean water, soap and medical support."I strive to carry my health and compassion with me and not give way to fear and ignorance. I hope this strengthens the relationships with those I love and supports those in need." Julian Maroun, Australian Actor "What I've learnt in having this time is just how important it is to be self-motivated and find a routine when you have absolutely nothing to prepare for other than just getting through each day. I think that's the most important thing. It's allowed me to be there for other people friends and family who might've felt a little vulnerable and afraid by all this. Chris Quyen, Photographer & Actor "During Covid-19 I’ve learnt that I’ve been neglecting things that used to be important to me. I’ve recently been drawn back to producing music again, one of my first loves and I spend most of my days producing or playing the piano or singing. In a way, I feel like a teenager again doing most of these things I loved doing before life got too busy."Simon Cameron, Kingston farmer and conservationist woolgrower "COVID-19 isolation is giving us a great opportunity to think about what is essential and to re-evaluate what we are trying to achieve. If our values and goals are still as relevant as they were before the pandemic, they have passed an important test. If not, take advantage of the experience and change. Farming already teaches the need for flexibility and adaptability. Getting a farm back on its feet effectively after a drought is only a little easier than managing through one. Being aware of this will help us prepare for the recovery even if we do not yet know the full extent of the impact of COVID-19 and when the turn-around will really come. We need to be sure that 'the light at the end of the tunnel is not the express train racing towards us'". Matt Jensen, M.J. Bale Founder & CEO "This health crisis has been a huge shock for the world, and it seems nobody has escaped unscathed from it. I’ve learnt a few things about myself over the past month or so…how much I appreciate this incredible island that we as Australians live on, for one. We are so lucky to have the geographic isolation and natural beauty that we’ve got. It’s sometimes easy to take that for granted. Our family is based down in the Southern Highlands, and our four children are here at home, doing the dreaded homeschooling. I have to say I wouldn’t be much of a school teacher, however, I am looking at all these great positives of spending more time together as a family, eating three meals, not rushing around in the car/on a plane, doing gym sessions or walks at lunchtime and watching random movies in the evenings. There’s a great saying that ‘These are the good old days', and despite all the carnage out there, our family time is a huge positive. I’m sure for those of us untouched by the tragedy we might look back at this in years to come and smile at the memories. Finally, our team at M.J. Bale has been phenomenal in the crisis. How they have risen to the challenge that’s in front of us has been just awesome – the power of working with great people makes an immense difference to our business, and that is hugely important."I can’t wait until we get some form of normality back into our lives! I always try to have a positive frame of mind, and the road to recovery is going to need plenty of positivity if the economic forecasters prove correct. I think that energy and creativity are a vital part of the solution to pull us through this and I am personally committed to spending more time on these things in the coming months. Finally, I’m super keen to have a great meal out at a restaurant, shake hands, give hugs and enjoy socialising with friends again… the What’s App chat has been blowing up, but it’s not quite the real deal."