Every day, the nurses at the EPIC drive-through testing clinic receive thanks from the more than 200 people who come through for testing.
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But on Tuesday, they got a thank you from a different kind of guest.
Governor-General David Hurley paid a visit to the testing clinic to pay tribute to medical staff, marking International Day of the Nurse.
"The [drive-through clinic] was set up very quickly and it was very heartwarming to meet the staff here and to see what they were doing," Mr Hurley said.
"Today is very important. It's a triple year for nursing, with the International Day of the Nurse today, this year being the UN International Year of Nursing and Midwifery and it being the 200th birthday of Florence Nightingale, and what a year for this to come together."
The Governor-General spent almost an hour at the clinic, speaking with staff, watching some of the tests being carried out and even joining in an impromptu singalong with nurses of You Are My Sunshine.
The visit from the Governor-General was his first public engagement since coronavirus restrictions came into effect two months ago.
"I've been very grateful to come here and see the nurses here working on the front line and doing the testing process," Mr Hurley said.
"Anyone who has been to hospital values a nurse, and the value that society has put on that is reflected in many ways."
Clinical nurse consultant Anne Douglas was one of the many staff members at the testing facility to meet with the Governor-General.
She said the work in recent weeks has been challenging as testing was expanding, but the support from the broader community has been reassuring.
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"It's been demanding and it's been hard work, but we have an excellent team working out there and working to make the process as smooth for patients as we possibly can," she said.
"It's been very touching as a health professional being acknowledged by the community we serve.
Fellow clinic staff member Cathie O'Neill, an executive director of cancer and ambulatory services, said there had been a wider appreciation of the work of nurses since the outbreak of coronavirus.
"Nurses are the forgotten profession in health care, but this has brought out the best in people," she said.
"This has been a very interesting time and unprecedented, but it's impressive how people have come together."
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Andrew Brown
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
I've been part of the Canberra Times since 2016, after reporting at local papers in Sydney's north-west. Since starting at the paper I've had stints on the Sunday Times, on the early morning breaking news round, and now as a general reporter, covering the ins and outs of anything and everything happening in Canberra, with a focus on health.
