Christian Martin (left) with his grandmother Jean Wright and brother Dane at the Olympic Games: I was 14 years old and went with my family to the rowing and the water polo. The excitement and energy I felt being at such a unique sporting event with people from all around the world cheering their respective countries was just the best.

Bob and Bev Bokyar: The friendliness of the people – everyone was talking to everyone on public transport and everywhere. The atmosphere was just electric. The cheering of the crowd and Mexican wave in the stadium when Australian Louise Sauvage won her gold medal in the wheelchair event at the Paralympics is something we’ll never forget. We felt a lot of pride being there. We just looked around in amazement at everything. We saw hockey, the end of the marathon, tennis, various Paralympic events and the closing ceremony.

Gregor and Marty Sammut-Paul (owners of Regional Business Supplies): We love the new main street. We are extremely happy. It makes a huge difference and people tend to stay longer and not just go through the area. It has brought vibrancy to this end of the street.

Susannah and Allan Blatch (owners of AA Blatch): It is now much more pleasant and was definitely worth it. The landscaping is lovely. We love all the plants and trees. We have made a lot of improvements to our business to complement what Council has done. We are very pleased to have a well-known business in the renovated part of the main street.

Warren Tanner: I’m the only welder here and enjoy making metal stuff and repairing items for people like strollers and wheel chairs. We have all the necessary equipment here to help us with any repair job. But the best part is coming here to talk a lot of nonsense with everyone else! It is good for my mental health.

Trevor Rowney: I like giving them all cheek to lighten them up a bit because they are so dull… (he said with a glint in his eye)! I also enjoy fixing whatever people bring in, anything from antiques to chairs. I once did an antique rocking horse that was also a high chair. It was a very rewarding project to work on.

Jessica Clarke: I wear it every time I go to Woolies as I am asthmatic and cannot afford to get sick, and people get too close.

Belinda Toland: If it’s necessary I will wear it. I have one in my bag, but for now I stay away from people as much as possible.

Jo Vanunen and Glenda Moir: We will do it if it is required as it makes sense. We don’t have a problem with it.
Jo: I have worn at mask at Coles and will do it again.

Pam and Mal Nankivell:
Pam: I was only 13 and at boarding school at SCEGGS Moss Vale. There was great excitement and we went over to Tudor House, the preparatory school for Kings, and celebrated there.
Mal: I was in the Sydney South telephone exchange when the news broke and everyone in the city went mad. So did the phone calls! I went down to watch the gauge that monitored the number of calls and when it went on to the red, which happened very quickly – the danger line of course, they cut off all the lines except for the essential ones and the ones in public phones. After that I went outside into the crowd where I was swept along up to Macquarie Street and retreated into the Mitchell Library.

Stephanie Fleming (5) and Sophie Haench (4)
Stephanie: I went on holiday on a house boat!  Sophie: Playing with my dad and my brother Cooper.

Hudson Grey (4); Emmett Butler (3) and Benjamin Doughty (3)
Hudson: Playing with mum and dad and going on bike rides. Emmett: Going to the beach and for a boat ride. Benjamin Doughty: Going into a really high building to see my mum.

Mason Wright (almost 3): I like the dinosaurs game I play with my brother. I like to roar like T-Rex!

Robert Ryan (6): Playing games with my friends like Duck, Duck Goose. Hide and Seek is my favourite. We also made up our own games.

Joshua Wright (6): I like playing Fortnite, the dinosaur game outside with my little brother, and the security game with my Mum before bed time, when I am in charge.

Hayley Lawrence (9): My best friend Lyla. She’s not scared to get in there. Also my dad who played indoor soccer. I enjoy all sports.

Ryan Went (8): Ronaldo, because he has cool tricks. I like running around and kicking the ball, and would like to play like Ronaldo one day.

Makayla Soane (13): I like anyone who really gets into playing and who has good technique. I enjoy soccer to help me stay active, and have played it for about seven years.