Albury/Wodonga has suffered enough. Our community, one city, two towns.

Albury/Wodonga are heavily reliant on each other. Previously we have had a bubble which allowed us to move freely between states for this purpose. Until August 2021, they discontinued this for X,Y,Z exemptions.

Our communities mental health is deteriorating. Suicide rates are rising and on August 2nd, Lifeline recorded the highest daily calls in history. 140 calls an hour over a 24 hour period. The mental and social impact all for a "maybe" situation, that isn't likely if the large cities do their part without causing small regional towns to suffer. The continuous lockdowns and restrictions are becoming tiring. We rely on each town to survive. Our partners, family and friends are on both sides of the border. Our jobs, churches, schools, sports, shops and favourite small local businesses are spread between the border. Our local businesses are suffering and peoples livelihoods whether regional and metropolitan are hitting rock bottom. What happened to everyone's income being essential? We all have mouths to feed, bills to pay. Why are we expected to live off small government hand outs when our politicians are getting a raise?  

We can’t keep going through the heartache of lockdowns and restrictions. What’s the point of a bubble if we can’t travel within the bubble!? The hope of being released out of lockdown and going straight back in, it’s not beneficial for our incomes and mental health all over the state. Daniel Andrews *should* know what living in small regional towns is like. We are not a pawn in a Melbourne vs Sydney game of chess that they can sacrifice to protect their king. Locking the border isn’t fixing the problem. Simply because the problem isn't here. That reason alone is enough to see why regional Victoria and the Border should be set free. 

Partner with us as we become the change! Don't stay silenced, use your voice. Australia is one country, not eight.