Watching a cricket game at White Flat Oval last weekend filled me with happiness and the sense that life was returning to normal.

Watching the bowler at his mark, sure that someone in the outfield would be there to catch a lofted shot, I was struck by how this pandemic has shown that every one of us has a vital role to play in our community.

We need to rebuild our communities.

It is not enough to get our own lives back on track.

Our communities are strong when everyone is doing well.

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Governments will play a role, and we, as members of the community, also have a part to play.

We need to make sure local support networks are up and running and that those who have suffered get support.

We should ask "how can we help; how can we create stronger, more inclusive and better communities?"

I'm looking for your suggestions; big or small.

On my website, you can post ideas to bring us together. Do you need a new community hall? A way to connect people online? Restore a grassland? A playground or skate park for the kids?

Big ideas that could change the way we support each other - like how to get more support to people in need or new ways to build volunteer teams.

Many people need help right now - those who have lost their jobs; businesses unable to trade for a time; families struggling to get food on the table.

Governments will need to continue to invest in job creation through supporting business and encouraging new opportunities.

The pandemic has highlighted fault lines as existing inequalities have become starker. It has impacted some more than others.

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One example: more women than men have lost their jobs.

Is this because women rely on casual work to be there for school pick up and drop off? Universal childcare might mean more women can take a full-time job.

When we are all supported, the whole community benefits.

I recently helped Sebastopol Primary School principal Michelle Wilson and staff box lunches for families struggling over the school holidays.

Michelle had kept in touch through remote learning and realised some did not have the food for lunches at home.

The call was put out to the school community to help. It wasn't a government directive, it was a local response to a local need.

And this is just one example - so many people in our community found a local solution to emerging issues.

Please fill out the survey on my website (www.michaelasettle.com.au).

Together, we can build a better tomorrow.

Michaela Settle is the state MP for Buninyong.