Melburnians ready to wash away 2020 and look to the next 12 months with hope

Melburnians gathered at St Kilda beach full of hope and ready to wash off 2020.

It was a warm and welcome New Year’s Day in Melbourne on Friday with locals eager to start afresh in 2021, despite the re-emergence of coronavirus cases looming overhead.

Friends, families, dog walkers and the alike arrived at St Kilda Beach on the first day of the year to wash off 2020 with a swim and enjoy the fresh air.

And each seemed to share a common hope: for a better and brighter year ahead.

Andrew and Renee Corcoran with dog Bella. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Andrew and Renee Corcoran, from Glen Iris, started the day by taking dog Bella for a paddleboard, hopeful it would hold them in good stead.

“It’s always nice to start the new year feeling fresh, you feel like you’re off to a good start,” Mr Corcoran said.

“We’re a little bit nervous (about the new coronavirus cases), we’re probably going to get more numbers and there will be more lockdowns but it won’t be so severe.

“We’re just enjoying the day while we can.”

Danny and Oh Wilkinson, daughter Olivia, 4, and twins Aiden and Lucas, 2 and a half, were enjoying a day at the beach and said they were thankful to see the end of 2020.

“Finally the hectic year has ended …” Ms Wilkinson said.

“We’re feeling 100 per cent better about this year. It’s been a good start.”

Leigh Fletcher and Grace Borg. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Meanwhile St Kilda residents Grace Borg and Leigh Fletcher were striding into the new year with a morning walk along the foreshore.

“We’re excited. We just had a terrible year overall so we’re just excited (for 2021) — I think anything that comes this year is going to be good,” Ms Borg said.

“A lot of gratitude, we’re happy and not hungover so we’re even happier.”

Mr Fletcher said they were looking forward to a bigger and better year “for the whole of Melbourne.”

“We’ve had those few cases which is ill timing … but I think everyone is excited to put it past us,” he said.

Simone with her son Liam Darcy and dogs Slinky and Tinkerbell. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Simone Darcy and son Liam, who lives near the popular beach, were heading out for breakfast to mark the fresh start.

They said they felt “very optimistic” heading into the new year, despite realising they may have to cancel a trip to Perth in February.

“Hopefully we have a few good months ahead of us,” Mr Darcy said.

Others spent the day at parks, bars and backyards across the city and in regional towns, celebrating the end of 2020.

NYE revellers partying at St Kilda beach. Picture: David Geraghty

Social distancing is still required when in large groups. Picture: David Geraghty

REVELLERS BRING IN NEW YEAR AT ST KILDA

Hordes of people gathered at St Kilda beach to ring in the new year.

A heavy police presence watched on as revellers celebrated to welcome 2021.

Many were well behaved, however, the Herald Sun observed police arrest two people for public nuisance.

Restrictions still require social distancing and outdoor gatherings are capped at 100 people

Friends Ella Harrison, Patrick Kenna, and Karina Garland were all smiles as they unfurled a picnic rug on the grass area to end the year on a positive note.

The trio, who work in retail, said they enjoyed a “chilled night” and hoped to ring a safer 2021 that was more “normal”.

“It would be nice to be united as a country instead of just states,” Ms Harrison said.

Police have arrested several people. Picture: David Geraghty

PEOPLE GATHER AT FED SQUARE

Despite warnings of people to steer clear of the CBD if they didn’t have a dinner booking, a crowd of people converged on Federation Square and under the Flinders Street Station clocks about 11.40pm.

Police arrested at least three people and warned others for their poor behaviour in the countdown to midnight.

Others scrambled onto trains and trams, with people taking advantage of the free public transport.

But many others did the right thing, filling outdoor dining areas in the CBD to toast the end of 2020.

People watch a street performer earlier in the night. Picture: Getty

Lauren Fletcher, her husband Andrew Fuller and her sister Susie Fletcher donned Happy New Year hats and glasses and went for a meal at Supernormal in Flinders St.

Mrs Fletcher, from Port Melbourne, said they were determined to end the year on a positive note.

“We’re just excited to be out in the city so we’re going to make the most of it,” she said.

Several streets and laneways were blocked off as people filed in for the New Year Street Feasts food festival involving 52 restaurants.

There was a restrained air to the celebrations, with many dressed up for a fancy meal to end 2020 in style.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp and former Premier Steve Bracks were among the crowd enjoying the festival.

Apart from the designated dining precincts, most other city streets were oddly quiet compared to the usual bustle of revellers jostling to get a good spot to watch the firework display.

At Chin Chin in Flinders Lane, Aerron Joseph and Taylah Perrin were toasting the end of 2020.

The city is busy despite people being warned not to head in unless they had a booking. Picture: Getty

The couple, from Berwick, said the year had been a challenge but they were hoping for happier times in 2021.

“We’re among the lucky ones that can go out and do this,” Mr Joseph said.

“We’ve got a few friends who are in New South Wales that are rushing to get back here so we consider ourselves lucky to be able to celebrate in style.”

Pastuso restaurant supervisor Yesenia Callalli Mesia said they were having a Latino-style party at the Peruvian restaurant in AC/DC Lane.

“It’s been quite a year and I think people want to at least have a moment of normality,” she said.

“Even though we live in really bad times we are trying to do our best to make it feel like it’s still normal.”