Restrictions Ease, Outdoor Activities On the Way Back

Cabin fever will be a little less prevalent this week, with locals taking advantage of the glorious Autumn weather on the weekend and the lifting of the State of Emergency restrictions to enjoy time outside for pleasurable, rather than essential activities.

In addition to leaving the house for work, essential supplies and medical or compassionate care, Victorians can now host five visitors in their home and meet outside in groups of 10, which has opened the way for a range of outdoor activities that the community has welcomed back with fervour.

All activities still need to be conducted with people spaced 1.5 metres apart, but the community can head back to the local fairways and Buloke Lakes, which means fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding and boating are allowed, (with the 10-person limit), and there is still no camping.

Victoria’s first wave of lowered restrictions saw an influx of people heading out to Tchum Lake to fish, and the Birchip Community Leisure Centre facilities were again a hive of activity, including the golf course.

On Saturday, the Birchip Golf Club hosted its first competition day, with seventeen enthusiastic golfers enjoying the outdoors and the sunshine, and the company of people they haven’t seen in weeks. There was much banter across the course as golfers dusted off their clubs and looked for their balls that weren’t going exactly where the players intended; but for the most part, they were just happy to be back on the course enjoying the freedom and the fresh air.

With golf numbers dwindling in recent years, the golf club is hoping to entice some new golfers to the course this season, with a return to Saturday golf while the North Central football, netball and hockey season is in hiatus.  There will also be mid-week golf on Wednesdays, hitting of at 10 a.m. (names in by 9.30 a.m.).

President Brad Ryan said, “New golfers are most welcome on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and we have sticks available for those who don’t have their own.  

“You don’t have to be any good, just come along and have a hit and have some fun, while you’re not tied up with other sport and unable to travel.”

There are still many restrictions in place regarding outdoor exercise, until at least the end of May, which include playgrounds and skate parks remaining closed, and it is no time for complacency, but the gradual easing of restrictions has been very welcome by locals passionate about their sport and hobbies.

People are genuinely happy to be out and about enjoying the beautiful weather, relaxing and exercising with small groups of friends, proving it really is the simple things in life we have been craving during the restrictions imposed to keep our communities safe from Covid 19.