Seven prominent Melburnians on what they long to do after lockdown

We’ve all said it: “If only I could…” It’s the promise of post-lockdown, all the forbidden fruit just waiting to be plucked, that has kept us going through the difficult days.

The state government’s five-step plan to open up Melbourne was revealed on Sunday, with rolling changes until November.

We asked seven prominent Melburnians what they are hanging out for when restrictions ease. 

Tony Ellwood, director, National Gallery of Victoria

Ellwood misses visiting galleries. No, really. He spends his working week in one but can’t wait to resume his Saturday routine – going to more.

“I’m going to start my day with going out for breakfast after exercising, getting dressed up, even just the act of dressing up is a big deal, putting on pants with a waist. I love to do the commercial galleries, the idea of just driving around and dropping in on a few commercial spaces.”

That Saturday routine with partner Tom Mosby also includes the NGV for morning tea: “There’s usually something I want to show my partner. It’s a different environment on the weekend.” They then hit the city for late lunch, checking out new openings and old haunts in Flinders Lane.

Tamara Oudyn, ABC news presenter 

Music rocks her world and Oudyn can’t wait to sing again with the community choir she co-organises, instead of practising via zoom with 60 people who can’t hear each other.

“That’s one of the first things I think I will be doing, rehearsing with my singing squad.”

Most of all, she can’t wait to be back at gigs and festivals, watching the sunset from the Music Bowl hill as a band belts out a number, and returning to fave venues.

“I am most missing live music in Melbourne. That’s one of the things that brings me joy, is going to see bands with my best mate. The Forum is one of the places that I love to be, jumping around in a sweaty mass of people.”

Peter Maddison, architect and presenter of Grand Designs Australia 

Early morning, Brighton beach, and it’s a bit chilly out there in your budgie smugglers. Peter Maddison, one of that hardy group of icebergers who ocean swim at 4am year round, longs for a hot shower.

His usual routine, a shower at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club after the swim with his mates, then a cafe catch-up to chew the fat, has been a no-no.

“We have got through the winter getting changed in the carpark, taking plastic milk bottles of hot water with us for when we come out, we pour it over our heads, it goes in about three seconds,” he says. “I just want a hot shower, it’s not complicated at all, and to stand under it for about five minutes.” 

Sally Capp, Lord Mayor of Melbourne

“A test of our stamina” – that’s what Capp, husband Andrew Sutherland and sons Will and Nick have in mind.

“My biggest thing I am looking forward to is that sense of freedom to wander. We are planning what we’re calling the Grand Crawl, starting early in the morning and not finishing until early in the morning.” 

They’ll be eating out for breakfast, lunch and dinner with plenty of in-betweens, supper and even “late-night replenishing after being in the Cherry Bar mosh pit or someplace like that”.

They’ll catch up with friends at stops along the way, explore back lanes and those spots they intended to visit but never have. Capp, “a good walker” with running shoes in her town hall desk drawer, enthuses: “It’s going to be epic.”

Josh Blanksby, CEO, Melbourne Racing Club

For Blanksby and wife Kristina, who are homeschooling their two children, a change of scene is top priority.

They plan to take Leo, 7, and four-year-old Harper who learnt to ride a bike during lockdown, to the seaside, probably Phillip Island. “Just a change of environment for the kids, to take them somewhere different, go for bike rides, do a few different activities. Somewhere by the water,” he says.

With racing continuing and the MRC’s Caulfield Cup Carnival starting with Neds Caulfield Guineas Day on October 10, and culminating with Stella Artois Caulfield Cup Day on October 17, Blanksby is busy.

A date night with Kristina, somewhere special and bayside such as Stoke House or Donovans is definitely on his list. “And, like everyone, it would be good to have a meal out with friends or another family.”

Ronnie Scott, author

Writer. Bookstore browsing. Makes sense. But Scott doesn’t just want to look, but to touch.

“I keep feverishly wanting to do things that involve a lot of touching of objects,” he says.

“My partner and I have a favourite activity, to go to a suburb where we don’t live, for example Northcote. He looks at records, I go to bookstores. It’s a lot of picking things up, considering them, putting them back. A lot of things that have been touched by dozens of other people.”

Understandably, for someone whose publisher called his debut novel The Adversary (Hamish Hamilton, $29.99) “an outstanding ode to summertime”, he adds: “I want to go to the beach in summertime.”

Melissa Leong, food writer, critic and MasterChef judge

Food and friends – that’s a match zoom dinner parties don’t do justice to, Leong says.

“Just being in the presence of people and going over to someone’s house and having a dinner party is something I’m very much looking forward to. I want to be able to have a big long table and lots of friends.”

Bring on the restaurants and bars, too: “We’re all very used to cooking for ourselves and cleaning up after ourselves so how nice to have someone else do that.”

First port of call (along with yum cha, of course): Bar Saracen in Punch Lane. Its owners banished lockdown blues to stage a hummus-driven fundraiser for Beirut friends whose restaurant was destroyed in the August port explosion. “Heartwarming,” Leong says.