Are we all in this together?

The state reached a significant milestone this week - 90 per cent of people aged 12 or more have had two COVID-19 vaccine doses. But there was little fanfare. The milestone was lost amid confusion, frustration and anger at the state's COVID restrictions.

The virus remains active, even in the south-west where we have been largely COVID-free, reminding us all we need to remain vigilant. But with 95 per cent of our region's population over 12 double vaccinated we are better prepared than we were a few months back when fear of contracting the virus gripped our every move.

The easing of restrictions after we hit vaccination targets was supposed to be a reward for our hard work and many of us thought the beginning of the end of restrictions dominating daily conversations. Instead the rules remain cloudy.

We are able to socialise in crowded hospitality venues without masks but we must wear masks in non-essential retail shops where you might be the only customer. Those vaccinated are allowed to shop while those not vaccinated are unable to enter non-essential businesses. But what constitutes essential? One Warrnambool hardware store which stocks essential items has been told non-vaccinated people are not allowed to enter.

The vaccination mandate helped drive us to the 90 per cent target but has it run its course? Premier Daniel Andrews has made it clear tough restrictions on non-vaccinated Victorians will remain well into 2022.

A health department spokesperson this week told us "some exceptions to Victoria's vaccine requirements exist in certain situations, but there is no exception to getting COVID-19".

"It can happen to anyone, and getting vaccinated provides the best protection against the risk of serious illness and going to hospital."

More than 95 per cent of eligible south-west Victorians understand that. But the rules for children are worrying. Unvaccinated children aged 12 and two months and over will only be allowed to click and collect at the library, unless they are on a school excursion. They can't try on new shoes unless at a podiatrist or physiotherapist. And until this week, unvaccinated youngsters were effectively excluded from end-of-year celebrations and excursions. Prominent paediatricians have warned bans on unvaccinated 12 to 15-year-olds risk further harming their mental health.

When the pandemic started "we were all in this together". Sadly, now we are not.

It's a big day for the Warrnambool Racing Club today with its Jericho Cup meeting that honours Australia's Light Horse. We've published several interesting stories in the build up, including this one about a teenager donning the Light Horse uniform today and the feature about the indestructible soldier known as miraculous Jack (see below). It was good to see Racing Victoria this week announced it would back the event from next year after philanthropist Bill Gibbins, who came up with the concept, funded it for the past four years. His contributions have been incredible and the event is now entrenched on our events calendar, thanks to him and the club.

The region's building boom is showing no signs of slowing with Warrnambool on track for consecutive record-breaking years.

It's great to see events returning to the calendar. This week we revealed Warrnambool's Wunta Fiesta is returning in February, albeit across two rather than three days, some of the most expensive supercars will be heading to Warrnambool and carols will take place at Koroit next Sunday.

Warrnambool's Emmanuel College is set for a major change with the Canterbury Road campus to close.

Good news at last with work set to begin soon on the city's breakwater that has been labelled an 'eyesore'. Works to replace Edwards Bridge in South Warrnambool are locked in for February.

It's been a big week for Koroit with its new multi-million dollar supermarket opening, created more than 40 new jobs.

Photographer Morgan Hancock's pic above depicts Warrnambool's Luds Mjeda, who has become a children's entertainer, in action.

We had an overwhelming response to last week's giveaway. Perry Cho's calendars are incredibly popular and sought-after. The lucky winners were: Dominique Fowler, Brenda Hampson, Julie Harrop, someone known only as Joanne, Ingeborg Brill, Julie Stapleton, Barrie Cook, Lorraine Bartlett, Jan Anderson, Garry Carter and Phyllis Walsh. You can collect your calendars from our office in Kepler Street. Calendars are still available for purchase from South West Credit with all proceeds going to Warrnambool and District Foodshare.

A big shout out to all our subscribers who have downloaded our long-awaited new app and given us largely positive feedback. If you haven't downloaded it, you can from the Apple store or Googleplay. Don't hesitate to give us feedback because we want to make sure you are able to access our content when you want it!

Don't forget to check out some of the other stories below that made headlines this week.

Until next week,

Greg Best, Editor, The Standard