JOURNALIST Sandra Godwin looks back at the events and issues from January in The Guardian’s Year in Review series.
Tuesday, January 11
· The Victorian Government announced workers in key industries, including health care, aged care, disability, emergency services and food distribution, would have to have a third vaccination to be able to work onsite. There were 51 new cases recorded in the Swan Hill local government area, taking the tally of active cases to 104. Children aged 5-11 were to become eligible for a first vaccination.
· Last year as Australia’s coolest in nearly a decade according to the Bureau of Meteorology’s annual climate statement. For the first time in five years no significant areas were in drought during what was the wettest year since 2016.
Friday, January 14
· Newly eligible youngsters rolled up their sleeves to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Swan Hill District Health Vaccination clinic. Among the first to get their shots were siblings Cooper and Millie Beard, who then headed home to enjoy the rest of the school holidays.
· Swan Hill’s much loved Australia Day breakfast at Riverside Park was cancelled because of increasing COVID-19 cases. Instead the awards ceremony was to held behind closed doors and live streamed for the public to watch online.
