Melbourne has entered its first COVID winter without lockdowns. How will it turn out?

Much of the state's COVID response lies in the collective hands of the Victorian community. (AAP: Diego Fedele)

For many Melburnians, the turn in the weather might be triggering.

For the past couple of years, if you felt the brisk winter air on your face it was usually during a brief daily outing that took you no further than a few kilometres from home.