07/04/2025
Yesterday was simply unforgettable. Five years ago to the day, I was asked to cook a Norwegian Easter dinner for a Norwegian Captain stuck on a cruise-ship in Fremantle Port. Yes - the Artania - the infamous ship of our first COVID lockdown.
That little moment led to The Great Postcard Project, where Perth young people wrote postcards to the 400 Artania Crew who quarantined and isolated in their rooms, many without even a window. The postcards were placed on the Crew's dinner plates the Thursday night before they left WA.
The response to the postcards was incredible and for the next 48 hours I received pics from the Crew thanking the writers for their humanity. This clip of their response went all over the world: https://lnkd.in/gbXMZC6x
A year later the Crew sent postcards back to our young people and then it happened.
The Artania returned to Freo.
We were invited onboard for a tour of the ship, drinks with 2020 Crew and a special lunch alongside others involved in the response.
It's hard to describe how emotional today was. I shed tears before even leaving home, thinking about that time that seems so surreal now. When we boarded the ship, the love we received from every Crew member we met was overwhelming.
The Crew wondered what the writers are up to now and even though it felt like yesterday to me, five years is a long time for our youth. They learned of engagements, a baby, studies and careers!
Stan the engineer told us that he still had his two postcards with him onboard, raced back to his room and came back with the postcards in hand - just wow.
Captain Alen told us the impact the postcards had at the time. They were all frightened and missing family and home. They knew that WA did not want them here - we were frightened too. It was tough.
He said they were ok physically, but they really needed "somebody to hold our hands and walk with us, giving us hope for a safe journey home." He said this is what the postcards did-that they were so much more than just postcards.
Crew said that the postcards were the kindest thing that happened in that whole saga - they will never forget the young people who made made them feel like human beings again.
The lunch menu was filled with signatures and the words "From the Heart for People with Hearts." Our simple act of compassion had left an enduring impact on this Crew.
Lunch finished with Crew coming out to thank Fremantle and a singalong. So much kindness from Crew who gave up shore-time to be with us.
The one thing I can't adequately describe was seeing people who I have only seen in photos before. Watching these old images come to life, in smiles and hugs and laughter, is one of the best things I have ever experienced.
Thanks to the families who have been part of this journey and to Klaus, Kim, Alen and the Crew for a wonderful day. We just need to reunite with Captain Morten himself and our friend Caro. Then the Great Postcard Project will be complete.
We might just have to make another film one day …
