With restrictions still firmly in place across Victoria, it was hard for families to catch up for Father's Day on Sunday.
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It's even harder for brothers Xavier Prendergast, 10, and Jackson Grenfell, 17, whose dad Kelvin is recovering after surgery and complications at the Ballarat Base Hospital.
With visitors restricted from the hospital at the moment, the brothers tried to send a message to their dad with a sign earlier this week, but on Sunday, they decided to go bigger.
Fighting off the wind, they and mum Samantha Grenfell-Buchanan decided to try again with an even bigger sign, heading out to Mair Street to brighten Kelvin's day.
She said he was able to come to the window, with the support of hospital staff, to wave to the boys, the first time they've seen each other in weeks.
"It was great - he woke up feeling emotional today, when he saw it he said he had tears in his eyes," she said.
"I think Father's Day's a big deal - seeing us, but not being able to touch, that was hard."
Ms Grenfell-Buchanan said this year's Father's Day was particularly hard for everyone who can't catch up with their dads, or father figures, and especially for people who can't receive visitors in hospital, and hardworking staff pulling exceptionally long hours during the pandemic.
"It's just as hard for them as it is for him - most of them are going through the same stuff," she said.
"It gets them down, it's not good for their healing, but with family and support you tend to heal quicker."
While the brothers were disappointed not to be there to see Kelvin unwrap his presents - usually he's treated to the full Father's Day breakfast, she said - Ms Grenfell-Buchanan said it was still good to see him from the window.
The rest of the family remains separated across the state as well, she added.
"My father lives in Beechworth, and my daughter's in Frankston - she wanted to come and see her step-dad and make sure he's okay, but she can't leave to go anywhere," she said.
"We're out of Ballarat, we're in Illabarook, our neighbours are sheep, so it's harder for the kids being more isolated."
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Ms Grenfell-Buchanan said the separation was an important reminder about what needs to be done to end the restrictions.
"Do what you're meant to do and then you can visit people, there's so many people in hospital who can't see their loved ones," she said, adding a special extra message for Kelvin.
"Hurry up and get well, so we can mow the lawns," she joked.
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