PREMIER Daniel Andrews’ announcement relaxing restrictions in regional Victoria is music to Donny McKinnon’s ears after months of uncertainty, signalling he is one step closer to doing what he loves most again.
Mr Andrews announced on Sunday that regional Victorians could again enjoy live music outdoors from Wednesday, requiring band members to be socially distanced and — except for the lead singer — wear masks.
“We are all so excited, we just can’t wait,” McKinnon said.
While the relaxing of restrictions was a welcome relief for McKinnon, it was still only a small piece in the puzzle.
McKinnon, one half of local acoustic pop band McDuo, is separated from his bandmate and daughter Philly McKinnon due to COVID-19 border closures.
“She went back to Adelaide the day after our last performance together and I haven’t seen her since then,” he said.
“Our last gig in Mildura was on March 21 at Secret Garden and that was the last night we had before COVID took its toll on us here regionally.”
Like many in the arts industry, the McKinnons have seen all their income from their live performances drained by the global pandemic.
Before COVID-19, their weekends were spent gigging at venues on Langtree Avenue or performing together at weddings or corporate functions. But all that work dried up when the pandemic hit.
“We’ve been really affected in the same way locally in Mildura,” Donny McKinnon said.
“We’ve lost all our bookings this year and haven’t got a rebooking date for any of them.
“It gets to a point when you realise how much you love your music just when you miss it.”
Although restrictions on live music were enforced only on the Victorian side of the border, McKinnon said the region’s music scene had been hit.
“We used to play at the Gol Gol Hotel in NSW and I’ve noticed they haven’t put entertainment on there yet either, so it’s really affected both sides of the river.”
For McKinnon, the hardest thing has been not being able to share his love for music with his daughter.
“We’re the only father-daughter band in Mildura and it’s been really hard not being able to perform together.
“I miss that the most — the bond we share and the same love for music.
“It’s something that we could do together.”
