This was published 3 years ago
Melbourne's shops, gyms and regions reopen
19 ImagesVictorians are enjoying new freedoms today and our photographers are out capturing all the action including a stormy morning.
1/19
Tien Mang Wong’s first priority was getting back on the dance floor at JMC Dance Lab in Melbourne’s CBD for a class at 6pm. The 22-year-old kept up her regular hip-hop dance classes online in her small apartment during lockdown but said dancing alone in front of a screen wasn’t the same. “When you’re dancing in class you get this energy boost from the people around you,” she said. “I was a bit unsure of how it was going to go but after coming in it felt like coming home, to have people welcoming you back, it felt really good.”Credit:Justin McManus
2/19
The Coburg Drive-in was busy on Friday night.Credit:Tom McKendrick
3/19
With Halloween around the corner, horror fans Ekrem Karakos and Alev Babayigit bought tickets to their first movie since July, Halloween Kills, a Halloween sequel where famed killer Michael Myers escapes to continue the bloodshed. “We are going to the movies because we can,” Mr Karakos said. “We are sick of lockdowns,” Ms Babayigit added. Mr Karakos said the best thing about restrictions lifting was finally being able to make spontaneous plans. For Ms Babayigit, it was being able to put an end to working from home. “This is a different environment, plus I’ve watched pretty much everything on Netflix, all the good films,” Mr Karakos said.Credit:Chris Hopkins
4/19
Hospitality workers Joel Bainbridge and Phoebe Askham (middle) were among the first visitors together with friend Sascha Mocerino at Nick and Nora's. Champagne was their first beverage of choice on a night Ms Askham said was edging towards pre-pandemic nights out. “This time after lockdown it does feel like everyone is a bit warier,” she said. “I enjoy nights where you don’t need to have bookings and know your exact group size. Hopefully we’re getting there now.”Credit:Luis Ascui
5/19
Photo of Bar staff at Nick and Nora's, making a cocktailCredit:Luis Ascui
6/19
Greg Sanderson,managing director at Nick and Nora's, making a cocktail on Friday Credit:Luis Ascui
7/19
CreateFit gym members enjoying their first day of the Gym re-opening in SouthbankCredit:Luis Enrique Ascui
8/19
Photo of CreateFit gym members enjoying their first day of the Gym re-opening in Southbank on Friday 29 October 2021. Photo Luis AscuiCredit:Luis Enrique Ascui
9/19
Crowds flock to Louis Vuition at Chadstone on FridayCredit:Chris Hopkins
10/19
Shoppers at Chadstone shopping centre on Friday.Credit:Chris Hopkins
11/19
People stream into Chadstone on Friday evening.Credit:Chris Hopkins
12/19
There was a steady stream of cars heading over the West Gate Bridge as the time for lockdown lifting approached. Police had said earlier this week they would use their discretion if Melburnians bent the deadline a little to head for the regions. Early on Friday the energy market operator warned those heading to the bush they might encounter power cuts after the savage storms that swept the state earlier in the day.Credit:Jason South
13/19
Anthony Young from Target prepares the Chadstone store for the first night of retail after Melbourne's sixth lockdown. Target store manager Ida Gianfagna said staff had been working from 5am on Thursday until 3am on Friday getting the store ready. She said the government’s announcement about the lifting of restrictions had caught her off guard but she had been able to employ and train 35 new workers ahead of the reopening. “We’ve been locked up for three months doing click and collect so my team is super excited about customers coming in one hour’s time,” she said. “I’m really proud of the team and what we’ve achieved and the way we’ve turned it all around.”Credit:Chris Hopkins
14/19
Zanelle Marama owns Goodlife Health Club in Glen Iris, in Melbourne’s east, where dedicated hygiene stations and socially distanced equipment will welcome members on Friday. Her advice to Victorians hopping back in the gym for the first time in almost three months is to avoid going too hard too soon. “Start slow, keep it simple and focus on recovery between sessions to avoid injury,” Ms Marama says.Credit:Justin McManus
15/19
Four year old Zara Zelman couldn’t wait to put her goggles on and jump straight in the pool at the YMCA’s Noble Park Aquatic Centre after months away. “It’s been such a while. It’s been up and down; in lessons and out of lessons, so she’s really excited to start back,” her mum, Danni Zelman, said. Swimming instructor Jen Walker was simply happy to have some of her young students in the water again. “The ages I teach are five and under. It’s important to get them back in the pool because they are at high risk of drowning,” she said. “They can get some basics in like treading water, floating on their back or being able to put up their hand for help.”Credit:Paul Jeffers
16/19
David Jones staff in the department store's downtown Melbourne store preparing for tonight's reopening. Chief exeuctive Scott Fyfe, said the upmarket retailer was expecting a swell of pent-up demand from Victorian shoppers. The company will be welcoming shoppers back to its famed Bourke Street store with giveaways, chocolates, and a series of artworks designed by local artist Rachel Castle. “There is a lot of pent-up demand. Fortunately for Melbourne, we’ve had a bit of a dress rehearsal with our Sydney reopening, which has gone really well,” he said on Thursday. “We are seeing customers really spoiling themselves after so many weeks in lockdown."Credit:Jason South
17/19
Keen surfers set out from Olivers Hill boat ramp in Frankston during the wild storm that lashed the start early on Friday.Credit:Paul Jeffers
18/19
Big waves at Half Moon bay during very windy conditions.Credit:Joe Armao
19/19
Trees were felled throughout Melbourne as the storm swept through the city overnight and into the morning. Credit:Joe Armao
