Melburnians last week enjoying outside dining and a return to a more normal lifestyle post-lockdown. Photo: GETTY IMAGES
Last Wednesday, Melbourne ended its 111-day lockdown. It was like we could all breathe properly again.
I didn’t get to share in that first day of freedom, as I had to work a 12-hour day filming at the ABC studios. It was the first time since March I had seen the inside of a TV studio, and it felt all kinds of wonderful.
Crew I had worked with at different times over the past 20 years were there and we were all so happy to see each other.
I was there for ABC Melbourne radio, to record a NAIDOC Week special, along with my co-host Jacinta Parsons. For the first time in what felt an eternity, we sat and listened to live music. It was like the crew and I were in our own little slice of heaven.
It was one of the best days in a long time. We felt so lucky to listen to these brilliant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and singers. You’ll be able to catch the show, on socials and on “Afternoons” on the 10 November, during NAIDOC week.
It wasn’t until I left the studio and drove home that I saw the streets and people of Melbourne living again.
I drove past people eating and sitting together outside. I wound down my window, at the lights, just to hear them talking and laughing together. Such beautiful sights and sounds, Melbourne hadn’t seen or heard, for the longest time.
To be honest, I haven’t really been interacting with others since March as I was a little frightened, so for me and many people I know, it hasn’t been 111 days, it’s been more like 221 days.
Last Thursday night I caught up with two of my girlfriends, Thara and Belinda, to celebrate life over dinner and drinks. I cannot tell you how brilliant it feels just to type those words, let alone to have finally lived them again.
We were elated to see each other in person and not just as a little square on Zoom on our computer screen. We laughed and laughed and laughed, it felt so good.
It felt wonderful to be outside, to eat good restaurant quality food, to drink a beer freshly poured from a tap. To talk to ecstatic staff, who were thrilled to be back at work. To hear the sounds of other people laughing and talking. Not to mention how wonderful it was to wear a full outfit and not just a top half, Zoom-ready, tracksuit and ugg boots kind of outfit!
There were noticeable changes that COVID has brought to our lives. We had to sign in to the restaurant by text message, with a code, name and email.
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When we sat down, we had to scan our camera over a QR code on our table, then the restaurant’s menu dropped down. Once we placed our order, we had to pay by credit card instantly, through our phones. Then the staff, brought our food and drinks out.
I marvel at how adaptive and clever people are at creating these solutions. I do, though, worry about people who don’t have phones and credit cards and what this means for them. I also hope that this system isn’t forever. I much prefer the staff interaction, silly jokes and the ever-important staff meal recommendation.
Looking at everyone’s socials, Melbourne is alive again! Friends from other states are thrilled for us, they helped get us through this with messages of love and many know it was hard. One thing for sure, I hope they never have to know just how hard it’s been for Victorians.
There were of course, the snide comments about wanting us to stay in our state. The truth is, this can happen to any one of our states, and quickly.
We have also witnessed how hard Europe and America have been hit again by another wave when they thought they had this virus under control. So we have to stay vigilant and continue to follow the rules in place to protect us.
I don’t want to go back into lockdown. It was hard. And I was one of the lucky ones. My work changed, and I lost jobs, but I worked as normal and was able to adapt.
But I did have friends and family who were not as fortunate and are working hard to reset their lives. We all know the costs to this state for business, and how hard it hit many people’s livelihoods.
Joyfully, though, we have now recorded, for the first time since June 9, zero cases of community transmission Australia-wide. Victoria is on a plan to reduce when and where we wear masks, and I just might get to Adelaide to see my family for Christmas.
Now is also the time to shop local, to do that trip to regional Victoria after November 8, with an empty esky. Some towns were still recovering from the bushfires then were hit by COVID, and they still need our help.
But we’ve got this, Victoria. Let’s enjoy these moments of breathing the fresh air, belly laughs, good food and good friends. Remember, we still have a lot of recovering to do as a state, so let’s support each other and make it happen.
