Ballarat residents and visitors took the opportunity to revel and relax in the sun around Lake Wendouree on New Year's Day as weather conditions eased.
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Some people also took the time to express their commiseration with other Australians suffering in bushfire conditions in other parts of the country as they enjoyed a day off.
From children enjoying new Christmas bicycles to the joyous walking of new puppies and the traditional cricket match taking place under the trees, The Courier spoke to some of those taking some time out about their thoughts on the year past and what they looked forward in 2020.
Friends Maggie and Mary have known each other since they worked together at the Australian Eagle Insurance in Melbourne in the early 1970s. Mary, from Leongatha, says she's come to Ballarat to spend some time with her Sebastopol friend and get away from the fires in the east.
She says she hopes 2020 will bring happy times and the chance to spend some of those times with her friends. Born in Malta, she says she has returned a few times and thinks it's important to revisit your roots.
Clarinda resident Krish and his two sons Josiah and Isaiah have been enjoying a farmstay near Ballarat, taking the opportunity to visit Sovereign Hill before heading back to the city. They were walking their dog BJ around the waters, and said Ballarat was an enjoyable break.
"It's very peaceful, with lots of nature," the boys said.
"There were alpacas and goats and chickens where we stayed."
Josiah and Isaiah say, remarkably, they are looking forward to returning to school in 2020.
Perhaps one of the cutest puppies on the walk around the lake was a nine-week-old chihuahua called Franky - or Franklin, to give him his full name.
He was balanced on the arm of his owner Amy, who is clearly-besotted with her new companion.
"I've had him for two weeks; I drove down to Warrnambool to pick him up," Amy says.
"This is his first adventure outside, his first walk. I grew up with a little chihuahua so I've always wanted one again. He's gorgeous; he's pretty special."
Amy says she's looking forward to loving whatever she has in life in 2020.
"I'm pretty lucky: I love my job, I have my own home. I'm enjoying being myself and being grateful for what I have."
