Reflecting on a Global Pandemic

Looking back on the COVID-19 global pandemic now feels surreal.

For many people, the pandemic represented uncertainty, fear, disruption and rapid change. For those working within government response environments, it was also a period of extraordinary pressure, rapid mobilisation, collaboration and problem-solving unlike anything many of us had experienced before.

In 2022, I worked as the Principal Communications and Engagement Specialist supporting the SA Health COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics program, including the Adelaide Showground Super Vaccination Clinic at Wayville.

This project remains one of the most memorable campaigns I have ever worked on — not because it was large-scale or highly visible, but because it demonstrated how communications, creativity and human-centred thinking could significantly influence public experience during a difficult moment in history.

Humanising the Vaccination Experience

During the pandemic, vaccination clinics were often associated with:
• anxiety
• uncertainty
• fear
• long wait times
• overwhelming environments
• heightened stress for families and children

One of the opportunities identified at the Adelaide Showground clinic was how to make the environment feel less clinical and intimidating, particularly for children and families attending vaccinations.

The concept evolved into creating a more engaging and family-friendly experience aligned with the iconic “Showgrounds” environment.

The campaign transformed parts of the clinic into a more welcoming and visually engaging space through:
• colourful themed graphics
• circus-inspired visuals
• “spot the difference” activity posters
• child-friendly engagement elements
• visual distractions within vaccination cubicles
• environmental branding and wayfinding

The goal was simple:
to reduce fear, improve comfort and create a more positive experience for children, families and staff during an incredibly stressful period.

Creativity During Crisis

What I found throughout the pandemic was that creativity became just as important as logistics.

Within highly operational and fast-moving environments, creative problem-solving often helped improve:
• community engagement
• staff morale
• communication clarity
• operational flow
• public confidence
• emotional wellbeing

It is incredible what brainstorming, creativity and perseverance can produce when people are working under pressure toward a shared purpose.

Turning what could have been an intimidating experience into something more uplifting and engaging helped:
• support children and families
• improve environmental comfort
• create moments of distraction and calm
• lift staff morale during long operational periods

Sometimes the smallest communication and engagement ideas can have the biggest human impact.

Campaign Design & Delivery

The campaign, concepts and designs were developed by me using Canva, incorporating a combination of:
• SA Health branding requirements
• approved communication materials
• licensed design templates
• environmental graphics
• custom engagement concepts

The installation process involved:
• approvals coordination
• stakeholder collaboration
• operational considerations
• environmental integration within the clinic layout

Special thanks also to Mark from Johns Print – Glynde for supporting the production and installation process.

Capturing a Moment in History

One of the reasons I wanted to revisit this project is that these environments now form part of South Australian and global pandemic history.

At the time, everyone was simply focused on responding quickly, protecting communities and supporting public health outcomes.

Looking back now, these vaccination clinics represent a unique moment in time that future generations will study, reflect on and remember.

The Adelaide Showground itself holds significant historical importance within South Australia, and during the pandemic it temporarily transformed into one of the state’s major public health response facilities.

The Royal Agricultural & Horticultural Society of SA Inc and the Adelaide Showground archives have also captured aspects of this historical period, preserving records relating to the vaccination clinics and the broader use of the Showgrounds throughout the pandemic response.

Communication, Engagement & Public Experience

This project also reinforced something I have experienced consistently across infrastructure, government and community-facing environments:

Communication is not only about information.

It is also about:
• experience
• trust
• reassurance
• emotional response
• accessibility
• human connection

Even within highly operational or crisis-response environments, people still respond to creativity, empathy and thoughtful engagement.

Creating environments that feel more human-centred can significantly influence how people experience services, programs and public spaces.

Final Reflection

The COVID-19 pandemic challenged individuals, governments, organisations and communities in ways few could have predicted.

While many of the memories associated with that period were difficult, projects like this also highlighted the resilience, creativity and collaboration that emerged during uncertain times.

Looking back, I remain incredibly proud to have contributed to initiatives focused not only on operational delivery but also on improving the human experience during a global crisis.

These moments — however challenging at the time — now form part of a much larger historical narrative.

Perhaps one day, these colourful circus-themed vaccination cubicles at the Adelaide Showground will simply become another small but meaningful reminder of how communities came together during one of the most significant global events of our generation.

-Industry commentary and project reflections written by Tarnia Riggs.