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Good news day ... Premier Dan Andrews in his North Face jacket on Monday.Credit:Paul Jeffers

As far as I can recall,there was only one other Monday when the North Face jacket made an appearance. I don't recall the news that day being particularly good or bad – perhaps the Premier just failed to make it back home to change after an all-night strategy session.

Premier Dan Andrews addresses media on Saturday.Credit:Joe Armao

Then,in early October,when lockdown seemed interminable and Victoria sweated on every hint that Christmas wasn't being called off,the North Face jacket disappeared altogether,prompting my colleague,Sumeyya Ilanbey,to ask about its whereabouts. Ilanbey was asking about a jacket but she was really asking what we were all thinking:will we ever hear good news again,Dan?

“I haven’t given it a lot of thought,"he began,going on to say he'd give"due thought"to bringing it out of retirement (or the laundry basket).

It's unthinkable that Dan Andrews was unaware of the jacket's symbolism,just as it's unthinkable that he gave no thought as to what he'd wear to the press conferences,depending on the weight of the news he was about to deliver.

Of course,the premier has more important things on his mind than his clothes. Streamlining decisions,including one's dress,is a hallmark of powerful people. It's why Barack Obama famously wore the same suit for the eight years of his presidency,and why former Apple boss the late Steve Jobs developed his black turtleneck"uniform".

But in changing up his look,often in line with the tenor of the news,Dan Andrews used his North Face jacket to communicate a message,and most often it was good. With the easing of restrictions,Melburnians can finally be confident they will be seeing more of it. Though with summer coming,he may need a new"good news"look. Maybe a polo shirt?

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