Lisa B.

I’m a doctor (neurosurgery trainee), and I moved back to Melbourne this year to complete my training. My husband is finishing his medical training in Adelaide, and due to border closures, I haven’t seen him in person for nine months.

My work days are bizarre — the hospital has transformed into a kind of plastic-wrapped dystopia, and tensions are rising as people begin to turn on each other. I started growing vegetables on my balcony from seed as something I could control and nurture. This is a tomato plant that I’m going to gift to my friend.

Harry A.

I’m a 24-year-old queer male from Perth who worked in hospitality and events — I’ve been stood down since March. With virtually no work available, I’ve been treating isolation like a vacation with myself. The item I’m holding is my boarding pass.

Dettol.

Jaxon is turning 21 soon. He recently lost his job at Mollie’s due to the pandemic, but continues to shine as a phenomenal drag queen, performing under the name Dettol. Bold, creative, and unapologetically himself, Jaxon brings joy, glamour, and fierce energy to every performance — whether on stage or in the lounge room.

Kyra P.

I’ve just returned to Fitzroy after three years away, having spent time exploring life in Tasmania, Canggu, Mullum, and Berlin. I got back just as we all retreated into isolation. I’m back in my home neighbourhood, but I don’t yet have a home — I’m subleasing here until the world turns right side up again. There must be a few people out there who don’t really have a home at a time when we’re all being told to ‘stay home’.

Leila K.

I’m a 28-year-old Londoner living in Melbourne on my partner’s visa. I was recently let go from my hospitality job, so I’m embracing unemployment by picking up some freelance work and catching up on creative projects — as well as watching films, TV, and reading. Item TBC.

Tommy M.

Fresh from London, Tommy was working in hospitality around Fitzroy before being let go during the pandemic. With an eye on carpentry as his next chapter, he’s using this time to reset. Known for his sense of humour, he once chased Tom Odell around a roundabout on foot after a few drinks — a story that sums him up pretty well.

Nicole H.

I’m 34, and my partner and I have a two-year-old son. He’s normally very close to his grandparents, but we’ve had to isolate ourselves from them. He misses them, they miss him, and we’ve come to realise just how lucky we were to have that kind of family support.

My comfort item is my son, Frank.

Ana M.

I’m a 24-year-old from Melbourne — a trained dancer and, at times, a complete neurotic. I’ve just moved back home with the fam after living in Perth for five years. I find it hard to sit still and I’m already brewing up ideas for how to keep moving if we end up in total lockdown.

In my hand is a yoga mat — stretching and moving will help keep me sane through this bizarre and uncertain period.

Lisa T.

I’m a 46-year-old from Melbourne, living alone. I work part-time and am also a master’s student. I work in healthcare with people who have compromised immune systems, and I’m walking into the coming weeks and months with trepidation. I’m frightened of making a patient sick if I unknowingly carry the virus. I’m frightened of how overwhelmed our health system is likely to become. And I’m angry at the choices the federal government has made around COVID-19.

There are two items I’d like to hold — a Buddha statue gifted to me, representing my spiritual practice and helping me live moment to moment, and No Friend but the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani, to remind me what real isolation truly is.

Axl M.

I’m a 25-year-old originally from the Gold Coast. I was lucky enough to secure full-time work just before the rapid spread of the virus. I’m living with four others who, like me, are incredibly grateful to be working from home during this time.

The item in my hand is a gift from a friend for my birthday last October — a Patti Smith book that I finally have the time and patience to finish. It’s small things like this that will get me through.

Bob D.

You’ll find me among the humans outside the Evelyn Hotel. I’d be standing there now with a bottle cap in my mouth if it weren’t for this pandemic closing the pubs. I miss making the humans toss the caps for me.

One day they’ll be back out front, slurping yellow water from their bowls — and I’ll be there, reminding them who the real Mayor of Fitzroy is.

Anyway, where were we? John, pass me a dart and rub my back.

Ella P.

I’m originally from the south-west of England and have spent a few years in Melbourne working in Collingwood’s interiors and furniture scene.

Bon Iver, The Streets, and Meatsmith.

Carolyn C.

My name is Carolyn, I’m 30 years old and I live with my partner Felicia in our tiny one-bedroom apartment. I’ve lived in Melbourne for the past seven years and I’m self-employed. While I normally work from home, isolation has made it feel very different.

I usually cope by having a pretty active social life outside the house — catching up with mates at the pub, hanging out in Edinburgh Gardens, or going out for dinner. Work-wise, most of what I’ve been doing lately has been damage control due to COVID-19. Now that businesses have closed their doors, I’m likely to lose most of my clients in the next week or two. I’m just taking things day by day.

The item I’m holding is one of my indoor plants. They’ve always brought me a sense of calm — I love nature and watching things grow. They remind me that with care, life continues, even long after a storm like this one.

Sophie T.

I’m a 25-year-old who was recently living out my childhood dream working in the film industry. But with the cinema I work at now shut, I’ve been made temporarily redundant.

I’ve been extremely fortunate to pick up some freelance work for the next few months, and I’m working hard to keep this temporary job going for as long as I can — hopefully until things return to normal.

The item I’m holding is my waffle maker. It’s brought a lot of joy to our house as we play the game “Will It Waffle?!”

Alex B.

I’m a doctor from Scotland. I didn’t exactly sign up for this — I was just unloading the car. I’m Leila’s partner.

Mara B.

I’m a 33-year-old from Italy, here on a student visa. I used to work in hospitality and events, but COVID-19 has completely changed my life and expectations. I can’t go back home — I’m from the “red zone” in northern Italy.

I try to stay positive, but I’m a bit scared about the future. I feel lucky, though, because so many people have offered me help.

Books, my yoga mat, and a meditation pillow are keeping me sane.

Samuel S.

I’m 26, from Melbourne. I manage a café in Northcote, and while we’re still open, I’m working less than half the hours I used to. Luckily, my landlord is a friend’s parent, so I’m hoping we’ll get through this with a bit of give and take.

As for my coping item — it’s definitely Just Dance 2020. It’s been a lot of fun and good exercise… not sure how I’d hold that in a photo though! Boxes of wine have also played their part in getting me through.

Catharine B.

Flower lover. Fairy turned queen.

I run a floristry store in Fitzroy North, trying to start something new. But life isn't business as we know it — maybe it's something we’re meant to create?

Angie C.

This small cat I’m holding is made of silk kimono offcuts and filled with rice and beans. There’s a lovely Japanese woman in Brisbane who makes intricate kimonos and uses the leftover fabric to create cats of all colours. I think she must get a bit tired of my friends dropping into her store and only bulk-buying the bean cats — but the thought of that always makes me smile.

This particular cat was sent to me by a dear friend during the first lockdown. It now sits on my desk while I work from home, reminding me — in the cold Melbourne winter — of sunny friends in faraway cities.

I was 26 when this photo was taken and working as a journalist and writer.

Pamela C.

We’re a 34-year-old couple — one Kiwi, one from Ecuador — living in an amazing rental house in Clifton Hill. I’m a vet nurse, so I’m considered an essential worker and still go to work every day. My partner works from home in marketing.

We’re doing alright, as long as we both stay employed.

The item that keeps us entertained, happy, and grounded is our senior cat, Neros, who’s getting cuddlier as the days grow colder.

Gillian H.

I’m a 49-year-old musician and researcher. I study the role of music and music education in places of war and catastrophe, and I’ve lived and worked all over the world — but I was born and raised in Melbourne, and Fitzroy has been home for the past 13 years.

I’m currently employed as a researcher at Griffith University, soon to transition into a new role at Melbourne University (fingers crossed that it doesn’t disappear in the next couple of weeks). After a long period of job-hunting and freelancing as a musician, I feel enormously lucky to have work right now.

The item I’ll be holding is my clarinet — or maybe my clarinet and laptop. I’ve been playing since I was seven, so it’s been a part of my daily life for as long as I can remember.

Oscar M.

Oscar is 23 and recently lost his job at Stomping Ground. Never one to sit still, he’s thrown himself into his passion for podcasting — now running a community competition and teaching others how to create the podcast they’ve always dreamed of. I couldn’t be prouder. (Mum).

Olly .

Olly didn’t say much, but he turned up with a tape measure in hand. Make of that what you will.

Roxy O.

My name is Roxy, I’m 31 years old — made in Spain for Australia.

I arrived in Melbourne six years ago and made Fitzroy my home. Just going for a walk and seeing familiar faces each day keeps you sane.

Wine and fashion magazines help too.

I’m so grateful to live with legends who make every day count. The family you choose — forever.

Nicola P.

I’m a mid-30s film producer, originally from London. I run a production company that specialises in travel content — but with the industry in full collapse mode, we’ve lost all of our major jobs for 2020.

My comfort item is my camera. It allows me to create beautiful things anywhere I am — once all over the planet, now from a small apartment.

Darcy.

Seen in a Fitzroy laneway, cast iron pan in hand. No words offered — just the quiet confidence of someone who knows their way around both seasoning and solitude.

Aisha P.

Aisha here. I’m a Kiwi and recently lost my job in the travel industry — no JobKeeper or JobSeeker, so it’s been pretty tough. I live in a bit of a ramshackle cottage with my partner who, as cheesy as it sounds, is my ultimate person.

It’s a mix of things that get me through — creative outlets in radio and study — but really, it’s Drew. Ideally, I’d be holding him for the photo. I’m not strong enough to lift him… but maybe he could sit in my lap. Or something like that.

Matthew F.

I’m a 27-year-old, born and bred in Melbourne. I’ve been lucky enough to keep working throughout the whole COVID period.

I’m holding my piece of wood and wheels — my skateboard. Even though the skateparks are shut, all I need is concrete. It never gets boring.

Skating through the city while it feels like a ghost town has a kind of peaceful solitude to it. I skate every day.

Grace J.

I’m a 31-year-old journalist with a young baby. The lockdown began on my last day of maternity leave — my daughter had been in childcare for exactly one day.

I have no idea what the rest of her babyhood will look like now: no mums’ group, no rhyme time at the library, no playdates in the park, no visiting her new baby cousin in hospital. And what about a first birthday party?

I’d like to pose holding my seven-month-old daughter, Olive, in my hands. She’s blissfully unaware of the historical moment she’s living through — but she represents a generation that may grow up in a whole new world, without many of the familiar trappings of childhood the rest of us took for granted.

Rohan P.

I’m a 36-year-old who just moved back to Australia a few months ago after five years in New York. My girlfriend’s first experience of Australia was the bushfires — followed by finding a home, then quarantine — so it’s been a pretty strange introduction.

If I’m going to hold anything, it’d probably be the leash of our new three-legged Staghound mix, Albie, who we adopted just as quarantine was starting.

Isabel Y.

I’m a 25-year-old working from home in community services. When the pandemic kicked off, I checked in on everyone, sent care packages, and wrote daily thank-you notes to the posties. Being kind is addictive, in my opinion.

But then all the people I’d reached out to started replying — and I was hit by an avalanche of pain and fear. It was overwhelming. For the first time, I properly realised that I can’t help everyone. My mental health took a dive and I had to take two weeks off work.

My comfort item is this huge fluffy dog toy I found in the garage. Its ridiculous size makes me laugh out loud. I’ll donate it when restrictions ease, but for now it reminds me that there will come a time when some Melbourne kid — who’s been schooling from home, missing their friends, and sensing their family’s stress — will be able to walk into Savers and buy a stupidly big dog.

Miranda H.

We’re a couple living together — Alice, 32, and Miranda, 39. Both musicians and teachers/lecturers. We’ve lost a lot of work but have been able to teach from home quite a bit.

We spend a lot of time sitting on our front porch — drinking tea, eating breakfast, reading books, chatting with neighbours over the fence as they walk past, and watching the world slow down as the pandemic continues.

We’ve mostly stayed inside for three weeks now due to pre-existing respiratory conditions. Our comfort items include tea, cross-stitch, musical instruments, and books. We haven’t played any music on the front porch just yet, though!

Christo W.

Christo moves between worlds — from selling fine wine to spinning deep grooves as a DJ. His sound carries the weight of experience, filling spaces not just with music, but with atmosphere and feeling.

Danni H.

I’m 26 and from the UK, here on a student visa. I was supposed to finish my PhD at the University of Melbourne this August, but that’s been delayed because my lab shut down. I’m unsure about future job prospects for research scientists in Australia, but I’m grateful for my current PhD funding.

To distract myself from thesis writing, I’ve been getting crafty with weaving — so I’d like to hold up one of my weaves.

Rupert M.

I’m 26 and from the UK, here in Melbourne on a two-year sponsored visa after transferring from the London office. Since moving, I’ve lived in a shared house with the same five people — we get on really well, even during lockdown.

In my hands are my running shoes. For a short time every day, running lets me forget everything else going on in the world.

Caz A.

I’m turning 55 tomorrow (12 May) and live alone. I started my own business in December 2019 and was just getting going when isolation hit, so I have no income at the moment.

My three-legged rescue Doberman, Nelly, has truly saved me during this time — oh, and vodka, too.

Annabelle D.

I’m a 25-year-old record label manager living above a kebab shop 24/7 with my gay unemployed bestie. I lost one of my jobs (at a nightclub) in March and recently had my hours cut again at the label. My housemate also lost his nightclub job in March.

Our comfort item is definitely the house bong — lol — and my very long, beautiful devil’s ivy plant.

Rebecca D.

I’m Rebecca, 30 years old (turned 30 during quarantine!) from London, here on a working holiday visa. I moved to Fitzroy right at the start of quarantine and have been mostly housebound since.

Thankfully, I’ve managed to keep my job working for a medical company that treats epilepsy, and I’m now working from home with my new-found roommates.

I haven’t quite decided what I’ll hold in my hand, but I’ve been taking comfort in cooking — something I’ve only really started learning properly during quarantine — as well as reading, just-started running (and I don’t run!), and general Netflix binges.

Renae M.

I’m a 33-year-old mental health nurse working in homeless outreach at Royal Melbourne Hospital. I was recently appointed team leader.

My partner and I split at the beginning of COVID, and after a difficult few weeks, she has just moved out. Work has been stressful but also a welcome escape.

I’m now trying to figure out what my life will look like in this changed world. My comfort item would be my sweet little cat, Louis — but if he declines a photoshoot, it’ll have to be a book.

Romina B.

I’m Romi, from Chile. I arrived in Melbourne in September and have loved living in my old Victorian house in Carlton North — it reminds me of the houses in my hometown in Chile.

I’m here temporarily on a working visa and lost my job because of COVID-19. I’ll probably be heading to work on a farm soon.

The item I’m holding is my camera — it’s my eye wherever I go.

Ranko C.

Ranko lives on the Fitzroy Public Housing Estate and is in the final year of his PhD at the University of Melbourne.

While the PhD has provided focus during lockdown, it has also brought challenges. Ranko finds comfort playing Serbian folk music on his accordion — a passion rooted in childhood when his parents would soothe him with this music. He says he’s happiest when playing the accordion.

Post-COVID, Ranko looks forward to completing his PhD and becoming the first doctor in his family. He also can’t wait to celebrate by playing the accordion for friends and loved ones.

Jasmin L.

Professional chef, caterer, rockstar shifter, and fashionista — Jasmin commands the kitchen wielding a huge rolling pin in one hand and a whisk in the other. Equal parts culinary powerhouse and style icon, she mixes flavour and flair like no one else.

Aidan.

Aiden didn’t share much, but he showed up holding a perfectly round stone — roughly the size of a small skull. Sometimes, the stories are in the silence.

Inèz D.

I’m 34, from the Netherlands. I’ve been in Australia for about seven years — first on a working holiday visa, then sponsored through my boyfriend, and now a permanent resident. I live in a townhouse in Fitzroy with my boyfriend and our dog, Rory.

I’m a cruelty-free hair and makeup artist, but I won’t have any work for the next few months. Luckily, my boyfriend has a stable job he’s unlikely to lose, so we’re feeling fortunate. We’ll get through this together, just trying to stay calm and sit it out.

To be honest, I wasn’t sure what my comfort item is — which is why I hesitated to fill this out for a few days. But then I thought you’d want a variety of people, so here I am. Maybe my comfort item is simply being with someone I know so well and trusting that we’ll get through this.

Semir I.

I’m of Eritrean heritage and live on the Richmond Public Housing Estate. I’m currently studying a Certificate IV in Youth Work at RMIT.

During lockdown, I’ve applied what I’m learning by running activities for younger people via Zoom and staying in regular contact with my friends and peers in the African community to make sure they’re doing okay.

Lockdown has been tough, but I’ve found comfort in training four to five times a week to keep my soccer skills sharp. I play right back for Fitzroy City Soccer Club — nicknamed Serbia — and have been with them for the past five years.

After COVID, I’m looking forward to travelling to Eritrea to visit my loved ones.

Cassie W.

I’m Cassie. I was a full-time music journalist, but my work has been cut back to two days a week. I’m also a DJ, so my schedule has slowed down considerably lately.

On my days off, I’ve been finding comfort and routine in regular cups of tea, exploring my quirky tea collection in the kooky mugs I’ve collected over the years.

Tess F and James.

Caught in a Fitzroy laneway with a disco ball overhead and cans of beer in hand — Tess and James know how to make the everyday feel extraordinary.

James juggles the corporate pill-selling grind by day and spins decks as a DJ by night. Tess is studying horticulture, dreaming of a life away from the daily rat race. Together, they’re plotting their escape with good tunes and cold beers.

Taylor R.

I’m 22, Australian, and have lived in Fitzroy for my entire time in Melbourne. I work in travel but have been stood down until the industry gets back on its feet — which doesn’t look like it’ll be soon. I’m currently searching for temporary work and feel lucky to be supported by JobKeeper.

I’ve just lost my boyfriend, my housemates, and my job, and have moved into a new home with strangers to save money and make a fresh start. My comfort items are my paints and brushes — an old love I’ve reignited during this time.

Alice H.

We’re a couple living together — Alice, 32, and Miranda, 39. Both musicians and teachers/lecturers. We’ve lost a lot of work but have been able to teach from home quite a bit.

We spend much of our time sitting on the front porch — drinking tea, eating breakfast, reading, chatting with neighbours over the fence, and watching the world slow down as the pandemic continues.

We’ve mostly stayed inside for three weeks now due to pre-existing respiratory conditions. Our comfort items include tea, cross-stitch, musical instruments, and books. We haven’t played any music on the porch yet, though!

Hayley W.

I’m 34 years old and originally from rural Victoria. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve continued working as an early childhood educator.

The item I’m holding is a clock given to me by my sister many years ago. It’s provided great comfort recently — a reminder that sometimes, we all just need a little time.

Jane B.

I’m a 76-year-old woman living in a small government unit in North Fitzroy, with family in the Netherlands and Byron Bay. I have heart and lung issues and have been self-isolating for the past two weeks.

As someone who is very social and always out and about, I try to stay positive by exercising at home — but I wonder, how long will this isolation last?

The item I’ll hold is a photo of my grandchildren, who I can’t see at the moment.