In this instance, it was a New South Wales MP, desperately wanting to skewer that state's government for supposedly failing to demonstrate it had a plan for the way forward from here.

There's one inescapable reality in the coronavirus pandemic that has settled over the globe, and that is that there is no text book on the way out, there's no precedent, there's no real clarity and there's not a lot to gain in rushing ahead blindly, but there's certainly a lot we could lose.

It's also fair to say our nation has so far managed its way through COVID-19 as well as any, and for that we should be extremely grateful.

We have avoided some of the mistakes other countries made by not acting soon enough, or by not implementing difficult decisions and harsh measures earlier.

We can be critical that governments have been heavy handed, complain they've been so for too long, but the reality is these tactics undoubtedly saved lives.

Perhaps luck played its own part in this, but the numbers speak for themselves. Our infection rate, and our mortality rate, are among the lowest of any nation.

Here in Bendigo, just nine cases of COVID-19 as of yesterday, and no new cases in more than a month.

It would appear there's little to gain by politicians now trying to find a toehold of relevance when the reality is we should be saying thanks, well done etc.

Whilst on leave a couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to spend time back on my bike and to enjoy the great weather and get our into the countryside.

Mentally, the sense of freedom that comes from being able to still indulge in riding during the pandemic far outweighs any other physical health benefits on offer.

On one particular ride, I saw former City of Greater Bendigo Rod Campbell out for his own dose of fresh air and sunshine, and we paused for a chat on the nature strip, not far from his home.

It was an uplifting 15 minutes or so, conducted at a safe distance.. me leaning against my bike, he in his motorised chair, both us enjoying the warm autumn air and clear blue skies.

We talked through how both of us were coping with the changes imposed as a result of COVId-19, and some of the issues Bendigo is currently juggling, before I mentioned I was moving house.

It's not easy trying to sort out what furniture, household items, clothing and even what pot plants would make the move with us.

Rod quickly reminded me, it's all just stuff, and how memories and moments are far more important than a piece of furniture or item of clothing will ever be.

He's right of course, and so from that point, the cull became just a tad more severe, and a lot easier as well.

So now, we are all looking ahead to the next few days and the much anticipated announcement from the Victorian government about how it plans to ease restrictions and start to bring our communities and our economy back towards the future we all crave.

It's time to increase the number of people allowed to gather in public and in homes, to let Victorians travel further than the supermarket or workplace, time to let golfers get back on the course, let people go fishing and camping, and to let Victorians enjoy some rewards for the hard work that's been done.

It's time to let people put basic rules of hygiene and good health that have been drummed into us all during the past couple of months into practice for themselves.

Now that the hard work has been done to reduce the risk and to eliminate largely the virus, Victorians deserve the chance to live their lives a bit more.

We need to be trusted to act sensibly and with respect for the rules that will still exist to keep us safe and to reduce the risk of any relapse.

Those rules will be gradually wound back, in stages, as we prove ourselves worthy of further relaxations and trust.

All this will occur against a background that acknowledges if we abuse the opportunities that are so agonisingly close, if we don't follow revised rules about social distancing and public gatherings, we risk heavy fines for our selfish stupidity and short-sightedness.

Even worse, we risk plunging back into tougher sanctions and additional COVID-19 case numbers, so we must remain vigilant and for a long time yet.