Hitting the pause button has meant more time spent exploring our backyard and priceless time together. Image by Kate Williams
Through the Window FaceTime wasn’t enough. We had to see our grandchildren. On arrival Tyler and Ellie opened their parent’s bedroom window. Excitedly jumping up and down, “Hi Nanna Pa”. By Sunderai Felich
When we hadn't seen our Nanna, who we normally hugged daily, we needed to reach out to her. We rainbow-bombed her house! It was so much fun that we did more.
We planted dozens of trees in the mornings and evenings when working from home, without long commutes into the city. Melbourne photographer Sanjeev Singh photographed us for his ‘Housebound A Portrait Project in Isolation'.
It's been tough and uncertain, living through this. Small actions (staying home/distant) are so important, but it's hard to stay positive. Being out in nature has helped a lot. Image by Jesse Graham
COVID-19 and being socially isolated helped me appreciate spending time with my son and exploring the wonderful green areas of the Yarra Ranges we hadn’t discovered yet.
Home Schooling during Coronavirus Pandemic. By Ben Smith
"I don't like tights!" Amelie happily returning to school but unhappily returning to the school uniform. Image by April Paterson
Home School, a Practical Activity by Ben Smith
Covid 19 Pollution by Rachael Rose
It was good to work outside for once, and not be stuck inside! By Marilla Marshall Sloan
Fungi in the warm sunshine, just after rain. Image by Amanda Marshall
Freshest fresh air to breath deep and restore your soul. Image of Lilydale Lake by Andree Semmens
My beautiful 5 year old Labrador Lucy helping me work from home. Image by Nicole Stebbing
An eerie sensation, witnessing the tranquil beauty of the Yarra Ranges while a community clings to memories of normality, buffeted by the devastating winds of change. Image by Daniel Yee
Healesville main street during lockdown by Karen Meuleman
My beautiful friend Jack the rabbit, left us to bunk with all rabbits in the middle of lockdown. He showed me how to walk softly, and speak rabbit. Thanks to fellow artist Clare James, I taught myself embroidery. By Amanda Ruck
Daily exercise became important as a chance to get out in the fresh air. We found interesting walks to collect the mail at Belgrave instead of quickly stopping the car on the way past. So much time to explore new paths.
My working from home assistant – Lucy.
The comfort my dog brings me is life-building. Image by Rob Sibbing
Mail Received ‘Have you received my picture yet Nanna Pa. I got yours today. I like your collage Pa.’ ‘We love yours Tyler. Is that you under the rainbow?’ Image by Sunderai Felich
Painting Rainbows Tyler rang ‘All the children here are putting rainbows in their windows Nanna Pa. Mum says it’s to make people feel happy. I’m going outside to paint one now.’ Image by Sunderai Felich
Penpals Forever ‘I’m drawing another picture for Nanna and Pa’ Tyler tells his mum.’ We have become penpals throughout isolation. ‘I want to be Penpals forever.’ Image by Sunderai Felich
Harry joining us for our Stand Up Paddleboarding lessons on Lillydale Lake. He likes to walk around on the boards during SUP Yoga sessions to really test everyone’s balance! Image by Kerrie Edwards
Remote learning. By Justin Stephens
A sunny autumn day. By Justin Stephens
Servicing a Montrose gas heater, I was being supervised by a local bird.
Image of restriction signing by Jacinta Birchall
Abundant garden produce and it was suddenly harder share with friends. So a preserving and cooking frenzy. Image by Karen Meuleman
Feeling isolated.....like this tree....but still standing strong in the face of adversity.....moving forward, slowly.
Walks with my guide on the Coldstream trail. Image by Melissa Danher
Not being a big fan of crowds I don't usually go to the Belgrave Lantern Parade but this year I was able to enjoy it at my leisure, strolling along with a hot chocolate in hand. Perhaps the future might be a combination of both?
Our pets were the real winners during COVID-19. Every day was the day to enjoy having the humans around, but the constant walks made Molly tired. By Meagan Whelan
Council appointed cleaning staff wiping the touch points of the museum entrance as part of the COVID-19 anti-virus program. Image by Patrick Watt
Debra Kelly has a hair studio in Olinda which she had to shut during the lockdown. With the help of a friendly landlord, she has set up a dried flower shop, collaborating with local florists and artists. By Alex Gerner
The Deli Platter – open throughout for takeaway, home delivery, etc. Store used to have seating inside for café service, now it’s just benches with produce. By Alex Gerner
We are all in this together. The Grand Hotel, Healesville. By Elysa Sorahan
Le Marche Sassafras – no taste testing of the beautiful fudge but business starting to return to normal following the first lockdown. By Alex Gerner
Proserpina Bakehouse sign. By Alex Gerner
A social distancing sign at a cafe in Healesville. By Elysa Sorahan
A socially distanced queue in Healesville. By Elysa Sorahan
Covid signage and hand sanitiser at Nancy's of the Valley. By Jenny Davies
Gladysdale Tennis Club. By Jenny Davies
No self service. By Elysa Sorahan
An empty Healesville path, during lockdown. By Karen Meuleman
"Bin Brothers". One of many Covid-19 memories I will have is dressing up to put my bins out. The popular Facebook group Bin Isolation Outing spread across the world. By Kerry Davies
Treasuring lunch times with my father, while in respite care, and listening to his memories from the past. He has Alzheimer's. By Donna Fairweather
Thanks to fellow artist Clare James for providing a very broad template, I continued my embroiery to include some cheeky friends. This is Lil Foxetta. By Amanda Ruck
Signage at Taste, Warburton. By Jenny Davies
A Rainbow Trail sign in Mooroolbark. By Kara Green
Social distancing sign at the Yarra Glen Chocolaterie. By Alex Gerner
Verso Books sign. By Elysa Sorahan
Running around the oval, keeping fitness up with my daughter during COVID lockdown. Been running and keeping fit to fill in time during COVID to relax, keep fit, keep up mental health. By Melissa Danher
Freshest fresh air to breath deep and restore your soul. Image by Andree Semmens
"Bin outing". One of many Covid-19 memories I will have is dressing up to put my bins out. The popular Facebook group Bin Isolation Outing spread across the world. By Kerry Davies
Yering Station hand sanitiser. By Alex Gerner
Agnes (Helen) Gamble, a Meals on Wheels recipient. Enjoying some choctops! By Kara Green
Anzac Day – Thomas Cres, Lilydale. By Marita Hearne
The Covid 19 lock down has given me a chance to pursue my hobby of making model aeroplanes, I am currently working on my 3rd model which is a Tiger Moth. By Bill Smart
A house Chirnside Park participates in the Rainbow Trail. By Kara Green
Bears for the kids – Edinburgh Rd, Lilydale. By Marita Hearne
Salvos, closed during lockdown. By Karen Meuleman
During COVID my daughter missed out in her dance classes in the studio. She learned from videos supplied from the teachers via a Dropbox. It was getting harder to keep Molly motivated over this time as she is an only child. One of the weeks challenges set was to take some photos of you (the child) dancing. As a designer/photographer with no work during COVID it was our time to shine. We have limited garden space but wanted to catch the autumn vibe that we couldn’t get from the indoors. By Steven Hendry
The new normal?
Physically distancing whilst staying social. At Lilydale Lake. By Caroline Drury
Physically distancing whilst staying social. Residential fence, Mount Evelyn. By Caroline Drury
Physically distancing whilst staying social. Warburton Trail, Seville. By Caroline Drury
The news of the latest lockdown prompted my sixyear- old son to draw a picture of him poking the coronavirus with a pencil and saying, “Sorry virus. Have to find a new home”. By Jenny Hall
We are still, but... Flowers are still blooming. Bees are still buzzing. The world carries on without us. My garden has become my playground and I have discovered a renewed love for it. This Dahlia is just the start. By Keri Morris
Lock down inspired me to take up making flying model aeroplanes which I did as a youngster. This is the newest, my own design. A control line stunt model, 32 inch wingspan, 1960 Taipan 2.5cc diesel engine. By Mark Smith
My daughter (who’s doing Year 12 this year) & I did lots of walks around our town (Healesville) to: exercise, take the dog for a walk, talk, discuss, reflect & learn to appreciate the beautiful surroundings we have. With no golfers allowed on the course, the kangaroos seemed to be enjoying their greens! By Maidi Mitchell
Feeling vulnerable and sad...A sign of the times, when I suddenly became aware of what was in my car today, masks hanging on each side of the steering wheel & hand sanitising wipes in the console, it wasn’t a comfortable feeling.
Staff, volunteers, clients and their carers and families all felt very isolated and disconnected from Caladenia and each other when lock down first started. Through innovative programs and lots of creative thinking we have all reconnected, culminating in this large-scale visual reminder that we all continue to be together.
Not being able to see friends in person took us back to a time of snail mail and quality family time. By Emily Kennedy
Posting mail to school friends, building LEGO towns and daily walks making wishes on fairies. By Emily Kennedy
Dad trying to help a 4 year old understand why our local playgrounds are closed. By Emma Dickman
Image by Lucy Fogarty
The crazy faces of boys safe at home for weeks on end. By Melissa Berger
During isolation we ensured that we took time family walks and really enjoyed nature as much as we could.
When all else seems out of control the tree doesn’t change, it's grounding in unsettled times. By Allison Mcvicar
Kissy bucks and Tonka Trucks. For the full story by Michaela Alcorn, visit the Still Life Stories page.
First day of compulsory mask wearing in Melbourne, lucky it’s cold and we can keep our faces warm!
A team following safety measures
A Council meeting via Zoom
A heartwarming sign at Yarra Glen Primary School
A house in Yarra Glen joins the 'rainbow trail'
A playground closure sign in the Yarra Ranges
A sign at Valley Views retirement village in Lilydale encourages residents to socialise safely
Be Kind stickers are printed at Signzone in Lilydale
Bell Real Estate's Anzac Day window
Team members show off their masks via Zoom
Dooloney's Chippery in Millgrove's closed sign reads: gone fishin'
Herd Bar & Grill in Healesville's takeaway sign
Trying to wear a mask and a dummy at the same time!
Jaimie & William from Milwarra Primary School learn from home
How to wear a mask with style!
Mater Christi College Belgrave embrace virtual learning
Mater Christi College in Belgrave embrace virtual learning
Mater Christi College in Belgrave hang a rainbow sign to welcome back students
Wearing masks can be colourful and coordinated
Safety bollards in Lilydale Marketplace
The team from Burrinja demonstrate how to wear masks – with a little help from some 'friends'
Students from Mater Christi College in Belgrave introduce their pets to the class
Two teachers at Mater Christi College in Belgrave film a science experiment for their students
First walk with the dog and face mask! By Kate Williams
Making the most of the small moments - like making custom matching face masks with your partner. Only to walk around the block. By Gareth Hart.
The correlation of a slower paced life and a healthier lifestyle which was provided by The Covid 19 Pandemic. By Kirsten Laken.
Read 'My Life in Lockdown' for Kirsten's Covid-19 perspective. By Kirsten Laken.
The strange experience of seeing the seats and tables of the dam off limits with yellow tape. It all felt a little surreal in the cold wintry weather (at Maroondah Dam, Healesville). By Michelle Redman
I am a yoga and Pilates instructor, now I am teaching remotely via Zoom. Instead of being with people and sharing the class experience I am alone with the equipment and students in their lounge rooms. It is better than nothing but I do miss the connection of the shared experiences (at Vitalitymoves Studio, Healesville). By Michelle Redman
Saw this cool person greeting people on the side of the road in Sassafras during my Meals on Wheels run. By Skye Beazley
Normalising the mask phenomenon for a small person.
I run my business YV Signs from 'The Garage' Main St, Healesville. The last few months I have had to home school my girls from my shop while i work. Every now and then Tommy from Hearth Galleries drops in to see how they are going with their online schooling, but mostly for pats. By Brad Charman
Some fun photos in the Lions Den Op Shop window, Healesville.
Signs in the Lions Den Op Shop window, Healesville.
For the first time in 17 years Quirky closed its doors and will not open them for six weeks. It has been a very emotional and anxious time. The locals have supported me in various ways. Bringing home made jams or cakes and coffee or a chat and a laugh. Asking if I am okay and supporting me emotionally through this. Buying masks or face coverings. It has been a ghost town but friends and locals have been superb. I miss the physical contact and seeing human faces in all their shapes and forms. By Jak Soprano
Enjoying the simple things. Bonding time! By Jeannie Cerato
My parents had to celebrate their birthdays during the first lockdown, they are 94 and 95 respectively. By Diana Francis
I lost my job but was able to enjoy walking at the Maroondah Reservoir Park with a friend. By Karen Armstrong
Due to COVID-19 we can’t attend playgroup or jimbaroo so we are enjoying playing and learning at home. By Ashlea Dillon
Learn more about these changes
Yarra Ranges resident can park for free with a permit - Apply Online