Bizarre moment Melbourne police kick footballs and serenade families with a guitar as they confront anti-vaccine protesters holding an 'acoustic park takeover'
- An 'acoustic park takeover' in Melbourne as part of protest fizzled on Sunday
- Caulfield Park in the city's east was mostly families out for picnics
- While police were in attendance they had little more to do than kick a football
Protesters who attended a 'freedom gathering' were bizarrely treated to Victorian police kicking footballs and serenading them with an acoustic guitar.
Anti-vaccine protests on Saturday in Melbourne were met with a strong police presence and 100 arrests - but Sunday appeared to be a much more subdued affair.
Protesters, many of whom were not wearing masks, gathered in Caulfield Park in Melbourne's east - and though police arrived, their approach was far from that of recent protests.
Victoria Police managed to avoid any violence when responding to an 'acoustic picnic takeover' protest by Melbourne anti-vaxxers
At Caulfield Park in Melbourne's east on Sunday officers were seen kicking around a football and playing guitar (pictured)
The 'acoustic picnic takeover' of the park organised online resembled little more than a peaceful outdoor gathering.
With groups of five fully vaccinated adults now allowed to gather outdoors in Melbourne protesters blended in with those legally out for picnic.
One officer picked up an unmasked man's acoustic guitar and serenaded the crowd while other officers kicked a football around with those at the park - many of whom had small children.
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In other parts of the city scenes were not quite as peaceful with at least one arrest in Melbourne CBD on Sunday afternoon.
Victoria Police said it could not yet disclose arrest numbers for Sunday but were aware of 'protest activity at various locations across the state today'.
'Police are well prepared to respond to any unlawful activity and will not hesitate to fine those in clear and blatant breach of the chief health officer's directions,' police told Daily Mail Australia.
A planned 'acoustic park takeover' had a minimal turnout with protesters blending in with those just out having picnics (pictured)
Under Victoria's rules up to five fully vaccinated people can gather outdoors while only two unvaccinated can gather
'Victoria Police will continue to have a highly visible presence to maintain public safety, and to ensure any illegal protest activity does not impact on the broader community's right to go about their daily lives.'
Under Covid restrictions for Melbourne - which is still in lockdown - residents can travel up to 15km from their homes for recreation.
Fully vaccinated adults can gather in groups of five while unvaccinated Melburnians can gather in groups of two.
Outdoor gym equipment and skate parks are also open.
On Sunday Victoria announced another 1,220 new locally acquired Covid cases.
Two days earlier, the Victorian Government announced a big expansion of its mandatory Covid-19 vaccination requirements - prompting the Saturday protests.
Demonstrators were met by a heavy police presence, with officers seen tackling at least one protester to the ground, before the group dispersed.
Many families were enjoying the balmy Melbourne weather on Sunday with planned protests for Caulfield Park not eventuating (pictured)
More than 100 people were arrested and fined for breaching public health orders.
A day earlier, Premier Daniel Andrews issued an ultimatum to hundreds of thousands of Victorians: Get vaccinated in the next fortnight or risk losing your job.
All Victorian authorised workers must have their first vaccine dose by October 15, and a second by November 26, to keep working on site, as part of a new statewide mandate.
The requirement will cover retail workers, personal trainers, MPs, journalists, faith leaders, judges, police, lawyers, actors and professional sportspeople.
The October 15 deadline will not replace Victoria's separate vaccine mandate timelines for aged care, healthcare, freight, construction, and education workers.
Meanwhile, state treasurer Tim Pallas announced $196.6 million in cash grants for 70,000 businesses in Melbourne, Geelong and Mitchell impacted by the construction shutdown from September 21 to October 4.
Eligible sole trader businesses will receive a one-off payment of $2000, increasing to $2800 for businesses with an annual payroll of up to $650,000, $5600 for a payroll between $650,000 and $3 million, and $8400 for those outlaying $3m to $10m.
Police talk to a Melburnian while another officer enjoys kicking the football around after weeks of violent protests (pictured)
The industry has been closed for two weeks due to concern over rising case numbers, transmission and poor compliance at building sites, but it will reopen on Tuesday to workers vaccinated with at least one dose.
Mr Pallas was critical of the federal government, saying 'these grants would have been doubled if the Commonwealth had not refused to contribute to the Victorian construction industry'.
'It is beyond reason or comprehension why this industry, which will struggle of course as a consequence of the challenges that they've had to confront over the last few weeks, are not getting the support that they would otherwise expect,' he said.
He said NSW had received more than double the amount of Victoria's federal disaster payments, citing data released this week showing NSW received $6.15 billion compared to $2.4 billion for Victoria.
'At every step of the way throughout this pandemic, NSW has received a free kick from the prime minister for Sydney,' Mr Pallas said.
Police attended Caulfield Park over the planned protest on Sunday but the event fizzled
