The public holiday, pushed from September to October because of the coronavirus-delayed AFL grand final, remained on our calendar despite players being based in Queensland to avoid the virus.

But instead of it marking the AFL's most important event, the state government decided to honour frontline health workers, who have battled hardest to control the spread of COVID-19.

It was a great idea. Without our doctors, surgeons, nurses, support staff and other allied health professionals, the COVID-19 pandemic could have been far worse than what we have experienced in the region.

Our health workers are quiet achievers, heroes. They have worked in the interests of others, often at the expense of their own loved ones. They have been in the firing line of the virus every day. Selfless.

We produced a collage of a small percentage of workers on our front page on Friday to humanise these special individuals we should never take for granted. We hope too that a simple "thank you" from a passer-by, neighbour, friend, stranger, will help maintain or lift their spirits.

The state government's decision to re-angle the public holiday was thoughtful. It also changed the narrative and forced some positivity, some gratitude, some perspective.

The words and thoughts mean a lot to workers.

But here in the south-west, there's another gesture that would make a world of difference to our health workers - money for South West Healthcare's long-awaited stage two redevelopment.

Warrnambool Base Hospital desperately needs more operating theatres and a bigger emergency department among other upgrades.

Staff do an incredible job in the conditions but the ultimate reward for their efforts would be a government commitment to the massive redevelopment.

That too would deserve a hearty thank you.