A significant easing of Victoria's coronavirus restrictions overnight allows Ballarat families to enjoy a 'normal' Christmas.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Grandparents Bev and Bill Sutcliffe are excited to be able to have everyone in their large family come together again at their home on December 25.
The couple will invite their seven children, 21 grandchildren and their partners and one great grandchild to lunch and a family cricket match at their Buninyong home on Christmas Day.
Mrs Sutcliffe said she had missed having big celebrations together when restrictions on people visiting homes were in place throughout the pandemic.
"It makes it difficult when you have got to cut people out (to comply with number limits)," she said.
Mrs Sutcliffe said she was expecting more than 40 family members and friends to come together at their house.
We have Christmas and a family cricket match. It has always been a family tradition.
- Bev Sutcliffe
She said the family will also hold belated birthday celebrations for two of her daughters who turned 50 in the past two years.
"Christmas is fairly relaxed in our family - everyone brings food and we have a big entertainment area out the back," she said.
"We not only have our family, but always make sure we invite someone who is on their own and doesn't have anywhere to go.
"We have Christmas and a family cricket match. It has always been a family tradition."
Premier Daniel Andrews announced on Thursday Victoria would reach the 90 per cent vaccination target for people aged over 12 on Saturday or Sunday.
Restrictions were eased from 11.59pm on Thursday night, meaning there are now no limits to visitors in the home and no caps or density limits in hospitality.
Masks will still be required in sensitive settings including for primary school staff, students in grades three to six, for serving staff at hospitality venues and in indoor retail settings.
Masks will also remain compulsory on public transport and planes.
RELATED COVERAGE: 'Back to normal': Victoria's COVID rules to ease significantly
Non-essential retail settings across Victoria will join the vaccinated economy and will only be open to Victorians who are fully vaccinated, under 12 years and two months, or have a valid exemption.
Mrs Sutcliffe said the changes were exciting, particularly to see families of all sizes being able to gather in the home again.
"The worst part is families have been separated and it has been tough for people who have been on their own and haven't had anyone around," she said.
"Families are important. We have 21 grandchildren and we have a special relationship with every single one of them. We would miss it if even one of them was not here.
"It will be wonderful to see them all again."
Mr Andrews said Victorians getting vaccinated in record time and record numbers helped life get 'back to normal'.
"All of these things which we have missed and are absolutely about getting to ... that normality we have all craved, we are able to deliver that in getting vaccinated," he said.
"If you are vaccinated, your life will be back to normal and you will be able to enjoy all the things you have yearned for and missed."
"This is the COVID normal every Victorian has built... it will be a normal Christmas, one that we have all earned."
"These two years have been so so challenging and Victorians have given so much."
Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.