Melbourne Your City of Melbourne magazine August – September 2015 Contents Lord Mayor’s Message............................................................4 Spending wisely and investing in our city.......................................4 Queen Victoria Market renewal update............................................5 Your say........................................................................6 Letter of the month 6 Email rates notices 6 Participate Melbourne...........................................................6 Reconcilliations Action Plan 6 City Road master plan 6 City laneways go smoke-free.....................................................7 Safety first for kensington community...........................................7 Building a stronger connected Docklands.........................................8 New haven for boating visitors..................................................9 A creative solution for empty spcaes............................................9 Free winter firewords..........................................................10 Robyne Latham: The Aborigine is Present........................................10 The fine art of creating creativity............................................11 Access all areas: Melbourne Open House.........................................13 New MPavilion designer announced...............................................14 Winning indeas from wonderful writers..........................................14 Elm tree anniversary...........................................................14 Events calendar................................................................16
Spending wisely and investing in our city............................................................................................................4
Queen Victoria Market renewal update...............................................................................................................5
Your say.............................................................................................................................................................. 6
City laneways go smoke-free.............................................................................................................................. 7
Safety first for kensington community................................................................................................................. 7
Building a stronger connected Docklands...........................................................................................................8
New haven for boating visitors............................................................................................................................ 9
A creative solution for empty spcaes................................................................................................................... 9
Robyne Latham: The Aborigine is Present........................................................................................................10
The fine art of creating creativity....................................................................................................................... 11
Access all areas: Melbourne Open House........................................................................................................13
New MPavilion designer announced................................................................................................................. 14
Winning indeas from wonderful writers.............................................................................................................14
Elm tree anniversary......................................................................................................................................... 14
A sweet story for community programs.............................................................................................................20
Making the most of every opportunity...............................................................................................................20
Great grants and sponsorships: Applications dates..........................................................................................21
Grand music dreams come true........................................................................................................................ 22
In brief............................................................................................................................................................... 24
IBM Smarter Cities 24
Green light for Urban Forests 24
Blackbox showcases Melbourne innovation in Milan 24
Plau On: AFL club songs 24
Stay healthy this winter 24
Your Council...................................................................................................................................................... 25
The Right Honourable Lord Mayor Robert Doyle 25
Deputy Lord Mayor Susan Riley 25
Cr Richard Foster 25
Cr Rohan Leppert 25
Cr Kevin Louey 25
Cr Stephen Mayne 25
Cr Cathy Oke 25
Cr Ken Ong 25
Cr Beverley Pinder-Mortimer 26
Cr Jackie Watts 26
Cr Arron Wood 26
Postal address for all councillors 26
Council meetings June 2015............................................................................................................................. 27
Council meetings July 2015.............................................................................................................................. 27
Lord Mayor’s Commendations.......................................................................................................................... 28
Lord Mayor’s MessageThis time next year, work will be underway on the biggest project in Melbourne City Council’s history, the Queen Victoria Market Precinct Renewal Project. This project will forever connect the market to the city and its heritage.
Over the last year we have achieved a number of exciting project milestones. We’ve completed four rounds of community consultation, approved a planning scheme amendment to guide development in the precinct, which is currently on the Victorian Planning Minister’s desk for consideration, settled on the $76 million purchase of the ‘Munro’ site and released the master plan.
Our planning scheme amendment will eradicate the ad-hoc, hodgepodge approach that has been applied to development in the area until now. There will be certainty. There will be consistency. The city will be brought right up to the market’s door, creating a new sense of vibrancy and connectivity.
The master plan will retain what we all love about the market, such as the fresh meat and produce and speciality shops, while facilitating a contemporary retail offer and the realignment of Franklin Street to create an important east-west connection.
Our growing community of inner-Melbourne residents will have a new public open space to enjoy when it replaces the current car park. It will become the jewel in the crown of the market: a new meeting place where people can socialise, enjoy their wares purchased from the traders or just relax and absorb the atmosphere.
Our vision is for the market precinct to play an active role in the life of the city from first thing in the morning right through into the evening. That doesn’t mean that stallholders will have to work 24/7, but that there will be an ever-changing, seasonal offer using interchangeable spaces that can be shared by permanent and short-term traders over the course of the day and the week.
Shoppers won’t need a timetable: during the day, in the evening and even into the night you’ll go down to the market and the lights will be on.
I am also committed to maintaining the market’s connection to our history which is imperative considering it is the site of Melbourne’s first cemetery.
Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt has nominated the Queen Victoria Market for inclusion on Australia’s National Heritage List. This is the first step towards UNESCO World Heritage Listing.
The market has traded continually as a market since 1878 and predates Melbourne’s only current UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Exhibition Building and its surrounding Carlton Gardens.
In the last 30 years alone, half the city has been rebuilt or redeveloped, but for 137 years QVM has been a constant in the story of our society and economy, a story which will continue well into the future.
Great Cities are Connected CitiesMelbourne is one of Australia’s fastest growing municipalities. More than 850,000 people move through the city every day and this figure is expected to increase to almost 1.2 million by 2030. More people means more movement in and around the city as people go to work, to university, to sporting events, or any of the city’s many retail and hospitality options.
The City of Melbourne’s Transport Strategy acknowledges this anticipated growth and encourages the increased uptake of walking, cycling and public transport. The new Melbourne Metro Rail Project will open up
a range of new transport options for residents, commuters and visitors, and when finished, will alleviate the pressure continued growth puts on the existing public transport network. The project will see the construction of two nine-kilometre underground rail tunnels that stretch from South Kensington in the inner-west, though to South Yarra in the south-east.
New underground stations, located at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain, will improve access to public transport and provide users with more options to interchange with other modes of transport such as trams and buses. Major improvements in capacity, reliability and frequency of services on Melbourne’s busiest train lines will be achieved through the project, with space created for an additional 20,000 passengers in peak hour.
The project’s delivery is being overseen by the Melbourne Metro Rail Authority, with the State Government of Victoria committing $1.5 billion to the project in the 2015–16 State Budget to progress planning and development for the project. The City of Melbourne will work in partnership with the State Government to help communicate the project’s rollout over the coming years.
For more information, visit the Melbourne Metro Rail Project1.
I just wanted to write and let you know how much I enjoyed the tour of the Melbourne Town Hall. The fabulous volunteer guide, Ray was extremely knowledgeable and had an obvious love for the building and its history. The concierge on duty that morning, another charming gentleman, was also extremely helpful. It was a great experience in a great city.
Anne Rout, Apollo Bay
Where can I find a map of taxi rank locations in Melbourne?
For an interactive map of taxi rank locations in the City of Melbourne visit maps.melbourne.vic.gov.au and select ‘City Explorer’ from the menu on the left, then click on ‘Taxi Ranks’. A map of the municipality, pin pointing taxi rank locations, will be created to match your request.
If you need a taxi late at night, the City of Melbourne also runs four Safe City taxi ranks. Each rank is staffed by a security officer in uniform and is monitored by security camera. They run from 11pm Friday to 5am Saturday and 11pm Saturday to 5am Sunday.
Safe City taxi rank locations:
Queen Street (between Little Collins and Bourke streets)
Flinders Street Station (on Swanston Street)
190 Bourke Street (near Russell Street)
8 King Street (near Flinders Street)
Participate Melbourne Have your say online at Participate Melbourne2.
Join the conversation
Participate Melbourne makes it easy for people to learn about and join the conversation on some of our most important projects. Register your interest on Participate Melbourne to stay informed.
Last kilometre freight
A growing city needs more deliveries to fill shops and offices with the things people need. Following our first phase of consultation in March, a draft plan for last kilometre freight was developed. Consultation on this plan will take place in August.
Rail Project Takes a Look UndergroundSite investigations for the Melbourne Metro Rail Project are now underway.
Information gathered on ground conditions and soil quality will help inform the alignment, depth and design of the new rail tunnels, tunnel entrances and underground stations.
The investigation program includes approximately 140 boreholes at locations across the central city and along the proposed rail line. The first stage began in April with the drilling of boreholes in the Arden and Lloyd Street areas, central city and Swanston Street, Domain parkland and the Domain interchange.
The date and scope of the second stage of site investigations will be decided following the findings of the initial investigations.
For more information, visit the Melbourne Metro Rail Project3.
Next Step for Market PrecinctPlans to revitalise the Queen Victoria Market precinct are now well underway.
To realise the vision outlined in the Queen Victoria Market Renewal Master Plan and meet our obligations set out in the agreement with the State Government for the future of the market precinct, the City of Melbourne has proposed a new planning scheme amendment.
The current planning controls for the area surrounding the market were created many years ago. Since then the city has undergone significant change and new development has taken place in and around the area. Development controls need to be updated to recognise that the market precinct is now very much a part of the central city.
Planning Scheme Amendment C245 will help guide the use and development of the Queen Victoria Market precinct, based on current and future needs.
The proposed amendment is respectful of the heritage and cultural significance of the Queen Victoria Market, while acknowledging that the city will continue to grow up to and around the edge of the precinct.
To view the amendment, visit the City of Melbourne’s online engagement hub Participate Melbourne4.
Why Walking is Big BusinessWalking is often overlooked as a major mode of transport, but in the central city, walking is how most people get to where they need to go.
In 2010, the Department of Transport found that walking accounted for 66 per cent of all trips in the City of Melbourne. This figure was even higher in the central city where 86 per cent of trips are on foot.
Councillor Cathy Oke, Chair of the Transport Portfolio said, ‘The main reason people come into the city is for work and in the busy central city environment, walking is the easiest way to get around’.
According to research by SGS Planning and Economics, improving the City of Melbourne’s walking network by 10 per cent would add $2.1 billion to the local economy.
The City of Melbourne’s Walking Plan highlights the contribution walking makes to the municipality and the economy, and outlines a practical plan to improve the pedestrian network and encourage more walking.
‘Melbourne’s current pedestrian network has many links through city blocks and more are being created as the city grows.
Places like the historic Block Arcade have been echoed in recent developments like Goldsborough Lane on the corner of Bourke and William streets, and Southern Cross Lane at 121 Exhibition Street, which runs across the site of the old Southern Cross Hotel,’ Cr Oke said.
An intricate pedestrian network increases the amount of street frontage for businesses, which leads to increased business and job opportunities generated by the increased number of potential customers walking past.
The new Melbourne Metro train stations will also generate more walking trips. As new routes are established the Walking Plan will help guide the development of walking in these areas.
For more information, visit the transport in the City of Melbourne5.
30 Years of the City LoopThis year marks 30 years since the completion of the City Loop, when Flagstaff Station opened on 27 May 1985.
Planning for the City Loop dates back as early as 1929. At the time Flinders Street was one of the busiest railway stations in the world and suffered from high levels of congestion as the chief gateway to the city.
The depression and World War II saw interest in a loop wane, but the idea was revived in the 1960s and 70s when Flinders Street Station recorded just 10 trains passed through the station per platform, per hour – or roughly 1,700 trains a day.
The opening of the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop in 1985, provided capacity for increased passenger numbers which underpinned jobs growth and opened up the northern end of the central city for high rise commercial and residential development.
The number of jobs in central Melbourne has nearly doubled since 1985 and the City Loop is now at capacity as the number of people catching public transport to work continues to grow.
Mapping the future of cycling in the city An interactive map has captured the attention and the feedback of thousands of Melbourne cyclists. With the Bicycle Plan 2012–16 almost at an end, work has begun to develop a new four-year bicycle plan for the period 2016–20.
The first phase of public consultation took place in April and May, with an overwhelming response from the community. More than 7000 contributions were made via an interactive Crowd Spot map on Participate Melbourne – the largest response on the City of Melbourne’s online platform to date.
Participants were invited to highlight areas on an interactive map where they liked to ride and where they felt conditions for cyclists could be improved.
One-thousand spots were identified, 1460 comments posted and 4700 indications of support made for other comments. These contributions are now being analysed even further to uncover patterns, themes, gaps in the bicycle network and priorities for the next bike plan.
Transport portfolio chair, Councillor Cathy Oke said: ‘Over the last three years there has been a significant investment in our cycling infrastructure in line with the actions of the Bicycle Plan 2012–16. Improvements include new on-road and off-road cycling routes, improved links and transitions between paths and increased bicycle parking.
‘This growing network of safe and connected bicycle-friendly routes can only get better as we analyse and respond to the feedback from those using the network’.
A draft of the new plan will be available for formal community engagement later this year.
For more information, visit cycling at the City of Melbourne6.
Good homes for lost bikesAbandoned and unclaimed bicycles were given a new lease of life as part of a road safety initiative late last year.
Bicycles abandoned in the municipality are held by the City of Melbourne for three months. Those which remain unclaimed are sent to Good Cycles, a not-for-profit mobile bike repair service, to be reconditioned.
Good Cycles then works with cycling advocacy organisation Squeaky Wheel, on behalf of City of Melbourne, to deliver Good Wheel, a program for local residents with limited access to bikes or knowledge of cycling.
Good Wheel participants were provided with a bicycle, which was theirs to keep upon completion of the program, along with a helmet (donated by Nutcase), a lock (donated by Knog) and lights. The program taught basic bike maintenance, road safety and travel planning.
Jette Achleitner, the Acting Executive Director of Squeaky Wheel said: ‘with this bicycle they get an affordable form of transport, they gain mobility and the ability to connect with their community. The program also gives participants the skills to ride safely in traffic’.
Behind the seams, MSFW: Designer runwaysFor fashion designers and fashion-conscious consumers alike, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) is the premier consumer fashion event of the season.
Presented by City of Melbourne, MSFW showcases our thriving fashion and retail scene with a unique program of shopping, entertainment and hospitality experiences.
Every year the Melbourne Town Hall provides a dramatic backdrop for the annual MSFW: Designer runway series. The runways are an opportunity for Australia’s design elite to showcase their spring/summer collections, highlighting key colours and styles for the coming season.
For Kristy Barber, the creative force behind Melbourne based womenswear label Kuwaii, 2015 will be her fifth time down the MSFW runway.
‘It’s always a lot of work. The days and the weeks leading up are always incredibly stressful; running around procuring last minute samples, adjusting fits and tweaking looks and watching and analysing the dress rehearsal. By the time the show comes around, I have had a champagne or two and I am pretty excited to watch the show’.
In addition to the glitz and glamour, which goes hand in hand with such an event, MSFW also has another side: to support and promote Melbourne’s fashion and retail industries to a broader audience and drive retail trade in the municipality.
‘For us, MSFW gives us the chance to see our designs come to life down the runway and it’s always a great way to introduce our customers to our new collection’, said Kristy.
Held over four evenings, the series of one-off, designer runways showcase the city’s talent and underline Melbourne’s status as the fashion capital of Australia. Premium seating and hospitality packages are also available to create a VIP fashion experience.
Other designers participating in the MSFW: Designer runways include Akira, Alexi Freeman, Aurelio Costarella, Carla Zampatti, Craig Braybrook, búl, Manning Cartell and Thurley.
And what of the colours for spring? Kristy said: ‘in Kuwaii’s spring collection there’s green, including soft tones of sage and moss, berry red, blossom pink and graphic black and white’.
MSFW: Designer, Melbourne Town Hall, 1 to 4 September
For more information, visit Melbourne Spring Fashion Week7.
Opening weekend MSFW: Shop the city
Shoppers get ready for MSFW: Shop the City, an entire weekend of exclusive offers and unique shopping experiences in key retail precincts across the city, from 28 to 30 August. The weekend kicks-off on Friday, with the debut of the international shopping event, Vogue Fashion’s Night Out, which has made Melbourne the first stop, for one night only, on a circuit of 27 cities in 19 countries around the world. #shopthecity
The modern Melbourne man: spotlight on Melbourne Spring Fashion Week label Godwin CharliAs a city known for its stylish residents, the current trend in men’s fashion and grooming has not gone unnoticed by the men of Melbourne. Manicured hair, pocket handkerchiefs, shiny shoes and tailored trousers, all point to a growing sartorial awareness.
Godwin Hili, the designer and owner of Melbourne-based clothing store Godwin Charli, is the epitome of the modern Melbourne man. He takes pride in his appearance and is fastidious about fit. ‘I grew up with a natural instinct of how fit works,’ said Godwin. ‘My mother was a dressmaker and would alter things for me at the drop of a hat’.
These were skills Godwin would draw on when he entered the corporate world as a trainee accountant for leading accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, in 2000. ‘It was an environment where I wore a suit every day. Australia was very disconnected from Europe and the European scene at that point and off-the-rack suits were very much the norm. I wanted things that fitted me and I started wearing my own creations to work’.
Soon Godwin discovered he was more interested in what he was wearing to work and helping others do the same, than he was in corporate accounting.
A friend with connections to a local men’s tailoring workshop was the key Godwin needed to transition into the world of fashion design. ‘I was not schooled in fashion and tailoring, so I spent a lot of time at the factory studying the craft,’ said Godwin.
Armed with his new skills and an understanding of the needs and requirements of the modern professional, Godwin opened his first shop in the boutique fashion enclave of Little Collins Street in 2007. Named Godwin Charli, in an affectionate nod to his father Charles, the brand caters to both men and women with sharp tailoring and interchangeable pieces.
‘Guys are now more open to experiment with textures and combining separates. They’re also more savvy. New technology means customers are being fed trends more readily and they want to dress like the people in Europe’.
When it comes to spring/summer Godwin says shades of blue still dominate for men, while for women he prefers warmer wine colours like tawny port. For those keen to stay a step ahead of the pack, the Godwin Charli spring/summer collection will be centre stage during Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, as part of the MSFW: Mr program.
The designer runway program at Melbourne Town Hall will showcase key menswear pieces from designers such as Arthur Galan AG, Brent Wilson, Calibre, Dom Bagnato, Et Al, Jac+Jack, MJ Bale, Joe Black and Bassike.
MSFW: Mr, Melbourne Town Hall, 3 September
Use #MSFW to start or follow conversations on social media during the event.
For more information, visit Melbourne Spring Fashion Week9.
Urban renewal: Planning for future growthManaging population growth efficiently is an important challenge for the City of Melbourne.
Melbourne is now Australia’s fastest growing city, with the municipality’s current residential population of 122,000 set to almost double to 202,000 by 2030, while the total daily population is estimated to grow from 854,000 to 1.18 million.
Councillor Ken Ong, Chair of the City of Melbourne’s Planning portfolio said, ‘How we manage Melbourne’s rapidly growing population is all about planning and good planning is all about people. This means we must consider how people use the city and understand where and how they work, move about, live and socialise’.
A common response to population growth is to open up housing development on the urban fringe, releasing more land for development. ‘The flaw with this approach is the huge investment required in new infrastructure including roads, public transport, community services, parks and gardens, which all need to be built to support newly established communities,’ said Cr Ong.
A more sustainable option is to increase the capacity of underutilised space within established municipalities. These areas are already serviced by the necessary infrastructure such as public transport and community services. They are also within close proximity to the central city and other services, making them ideal for urban renewal.
Potential growth areas near the central city were identified in Future Melbourne, the City of Melbourne’s long-term plan for the future direction of all aspects of city life, which was endorsed by Council in 2008 (work is now underway to update the plan in 2016). The nominated areas were then refined for inclusion in the City of Melbourne’s Municipal Strategic Statement (MSS).
The MSS is a statement of the city’s key strategic planning for the next 40 years and governs planning and development strategies and objectives in the City of Melbourne. The current MSS was approved by the Planning Minister in 2013 and among its priorities it identified a number of areas suitable for urban renewal: City North, Arden-Macaulay, E-Gate and Fishermans Bend.
Of course urban renewal is not new to Melbourne. The central city is surrounded by examples of past renewal projects, which transformed underutilised areas into high-performance, densely-populated hubs.
St Kilda Road is a prime example. In the 1960s, local planning agencies changed the zoning from residential to commercial, opening the way for the local financial industry to grow in an area that was close to the city, close to residential areas and well-serviced by public transport.
In the 1980s and 1990s it was the light-industrial warehouses of Southbank that came under scrutiny. Following significant redevelopment, including the addition of the Southbank Promenade in 1990, the area was invigorated with retail and hospitality offerings, as well as high-rise office towers and apartment buildings.
Docklands was the next candidate for renewal. With its prestigious Collins and Bourke Street addresses, dramatic residential views and waterside retail premises, Docklands has become a natural extension of the central city.
Similar potential lies in the urban renewal areas currently designated in the MSS. The City North urban renewal area, which stretches from the Queen Victoria Market in the south towards the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital in the north, has all the characteristics to meet the future needs of a growing population.
Ideally positioned alongside major health, education and research institutions, the area is also close to the central city and aligned with the new Melbourne Metro Rail Project, which will provide residents and workers
with excellent transport options. The rail project will also open up additional former industrial areas for urban renewal around the proposed Arden Station in the southern portion of Arden-Macaulay.
A structure plan for City North was developed by the City of Melbourne in 2012, following extensive community engagement. The plan acknowledges the area has the capacity to accommodate a large proportion of Melbourne’s increasing population and identifies key directions for its long term renewal. Urban renewal in the area will also complement the increased employment opportunities presented by the ongoing expansion of organisations in the burgeoning knowledge precinct.
‘Council’s objective in planning for future growth is to ensure we have clear planning rules in place to inform the public and the property development industry of the city’s vision, rules and guidelines, as well as the requirements for protection of areas of heritage significance,’ said Cr Ong.
‘While there has been a lot of focus on the building heights and densities, it is important to acknowledge that these issues can be managed by planning rules and guidelines and design standards, as well as internal amenities and services provided within high density developments.
‘What is really important is where these buildings meet the street and how they provide interfaces and activation, while respecting neighbours higher up.
‘Our city is growing rapidly. This growth enhances our profile and boosts the economy, but we need to be smart about how we manage it. We have an opportunity with City North, and similar urban renewal areas to develop something special that will add to our city’s future’.
A fresh start for a forgotten lanewayKids, spray paint and a dark city laneway could be a recipe for disaster, or an ingenious plan with broad-reaching outcomes.
Flinders Court, a sad and forgotten lane that runs between Flinders Street and Flinders Lane, at the western side of Elizabeth Street, was recently identified as a site that would benefit from increased activity, by the City of Melbourne’s Love Your Laneway program.
To improve existing perceptions about safety in the area and make the laneway more welcoming as a pedestrian thoroughfare, a group of young people from the St Joseph’s Flexible Learning Centre in North Melbourne were invited to paint colourful murals in the laneway, under the guidance of local street artists.
Student Tyson Lyons, 15, said: ‘I was a little bit scared my first time, but I did it. All the artists were really helpful and it turned out better than I thought’.
Tyson wanted to do a cartoon for his painting and he had been thinking through different ideas when he saw the familiar rectangular figure of American cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants and chose it for his design.
Freya Casey, 13, took inspiration from Alice in Wonderland for her grinning Cheshire Cat surrounded by playing cards. ‘I’ve always loved the Cheshire Cat because he’s just so funny and purple is my favourite colour. I like that it’s a bit scary in the dark lane’.
Asked about the challenges of spray painting Freya said: ‘it’s difficult to get all the outlines and the details. It’s really hard to get the shading effect around the eyes. Height is a challenge too. I could only just reach the ears standing on the crate.’
The spray painting took place during National Reconciliation Week in late May to celebrate young people from different backgrounds coming together for a positive cause.
The initiative, part of a City of Melbourne Public Space Improvement Project, drew on urban design principles relating to improved safety through environmental design and local community partnerships.
ArtPlay for Artists: It’s child’s playConducting art-based workshops with children might sound like child’s play, but as in any field of work, there is always room for improvement.
The ArtPlay for Artists program was developed by ArtPlay in 2012 as one of several initiatives to support artists working with children. The sessions are a mixture of hands-on workshops and presentations to inspire artists and stimulate discussion and ideas around children’s art and its place in society. The program is open to anyone engaging with children and the arts, including artists, parents, producers, art therapists and educators.
Puppeteer Jenny Ellis, who conducts workshops with children, has attended many ArtPlay for Artists sessions. Jenny was recently inspired by an ArtPlay workshop run by installation artists, Ken and Julia Yonetani, in which children created 240 Japanese-inspired lanterns.
‘This is the time when I can learn and find new inspiration for my practice, and each time I walk away from the ArtPlay sessions I find myself thinking about new ways of approaching my work with children,’ said Jenny. ‘It was through ArtPlay that I gained a lot of insight into how other artists work with children’.
The ArtPlay for Artists program also aligns with the City of Melbourne’s Arts Strategy vision to support artists in the creation and development of new work.
Get involved in ArtPlay for Artists with Playful Spaces. A panel of artists will discuss the different ways they create spaces that encourage children and families to play and express themselves. Wednesday 12 August, 5.30pm to 7pm ArtPlay, Birrarung Marr. For more information, visit ArtPlay10.
The Dirty DozenArt pops up in the strangest places in Melbourne. Indeed, Campbell Arcade, the pedestrian subway which connects Flinders Street Station to the north side of Flinders Street, is home to twelve eye-catching art-filled glass display cases.
The cases were recently restyled as exhibition spaces for artists, as part of the City of Melbourne’s Creative Spaces program. In keeping with Melbourne’s love affair with hidden spaces, the display cases will both surprise and attract people to one of Melbourne’s oldest commuter underpasses with quirky and innovative art work.
Named the Dirty Dozen, in a wry nod to the location and number, the space was opened in June with Prevaricated Frequencies, an installation by a group of science and engineering graduates from Victoria University who go by the name, Skunk Control.
The works use filters and polarised light to throw colour on the intricate plastic feathers, flowers and dried leaves that make up the displays. The space is available to artists from all disciplines through an application process. Successful applicants will be selected on the strength of their proposal, how well the work addresses the space and its capacity to attract public attention.
Until 16 AugustMelbourne International Film Festival
Experience the festival buzz as you immerse yourself in the year’s most extraordinary contemporary cinema, revel in rarely seen repertoire and participate in provocative discussion panels. Now in its 64th year, be moved and inspired at MIFF.
7, 14, 21 and 28 AugustFriday night fireworks
Light up your Friday nights with free fireworks in Docklands. Arrive early to enjoy the roving entertainment from 6.30pm, or to get a prime view at one of the waterfront restaurants. Fireworks start at 7.30pm.
8 AugustErrol’s Angels: A night of swing
Dance the night away at North Melbourne’s Meat Market with swing dance lessons, to the tune of Dr Crask and His Swingin’ Elixir band and the silky sounds of the Errol’s Angels themselves. All proceeds go to the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre and Nepal Earthquake Appeal.
9 AugustSignal: Nomad Cinematic
A curated film and discussion session to inspire dialogue and creativity around the African Australian diaspora experience. The session will start by looking at the global African diaspora and the role of African-Australians in shaping this culture.
14 and 16 AugustCity Science
Boggle your brain with amazing science at one of the many events taking place around Melbourne during National Science Week. Then head to the Queen Victoria Market on Sunday to explore the links between food, and science and technology.
14 to 27 AugustIndian Film Festival of Melbourne
See the best cinema from India and the subcontinent, or be dazzled by the Bollywood Dance Competition, Awards Night and Fashion Gala. There is also a short film competition, master classes and panel discussions.
19 to 22 AugustArts House: SDS1
Former professional soccer player, turned performer Ahilan Ratnamohan combines his artistic and sporting talents in SDS1, a dance-inspired work described by Ratnamohan as ‘football dance theatre.’ SDS1 explores not only the physical aspect of sport, but the psychological as well, delving into the mental vulnerability of sporting warriors.
20 to 29 AugustMudfest
Mudfest is the longest running student arts festival in Australia. Marking its quarter century this year, Mudfest aims to be the most accessible and sustainable student arts event, with more than 500 emerging artists presenting 100 plus projects at the University of Melbourne Parkville campus.
20 to 30 AugustMelbourne Writers Festival
Melbourne’s annual celebration of writers, readers and thinkers draws out talented people from Australia and around the world, for a vibrant program of storytelling, conversation, discussion, debate and more
26 to 30 AugustArts House: Confusion for Three
Melbourne choreographer Jo Lloyd presents this contemporary dance performance in which three dances negotiate a dysfunctional system of choreography using a set of highly physical and mentally demanding tasks.
28 August to 4 SeptemberMelbourne Spring Fashion Week
Get up-to-date with the latest fashions at Melbourne Spring Fashion Week. With a unique program of designer runways, shopping, entertainment and hospitality experiences, it’s the best way to be the best dressed next season.
30 AugustMelbourne Day, Regatta and Concert
Celebrate 180 marvellous years of Melbourne with a day of celebrations, starting with a flag raising ceremony at Enterprize Park, where John Batman landed on 30 August 1835. The festivities continue with the spectacular Melbourne Regatta. See a colourful flotilla at Victoria Harbour, headed by the schooner Enterprize. Bring the whole family for the Blessing of the Fleet, followed by a free concert at the Docklands headlined by Daryl Braithwaite and Russell Morris.
5 SeptemberSingapura
Singapura is a food festival and community day. Highlights include a hawker style food festival with food vendors selling local Singaporean cuisine and a live cooking demonstration by a local celebrity chef.
5, 12, 19 and 26 SeptemberSignal: Perform Your Own Groove
Discover your inner performer with this series of live electronic music workshops run by music producers and performers. Learn about the creative process and experiment with a variety of techniques and styles. The workshops culminate in a live electronic music gig on 10 October.
10 to 13 SeptemberArts House: A Drone Opera
Renowned visual artist Matthew Sleeth explores the developing technology of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) and their social and cultural impact. This experimental multimedia performance features drones and opera singers, with music and laser lighting.
11 to 13 SeptemberArts House: Dance of the Bee
Composer Martin Friedel uses a live swarm of bees to demonstrate the fragile connection between humanity and the honey bee. Three pianists and the Astra Choir complete this intense and unique musical performance.
12 and 13 SeptemberArtPlay: Paper Tape Torch
Create an atmospheric sculptural world using lashings of butcher’s paper, masking tape and the architecture of a massive room. What kind of environments can you make? Suitable for children aged 10+.
16 September to 4 OctoberMelbourne Fringe
See emerging and established artists take risks, safe in the knowledge that their audience wants to discover something only the Fringe Festival could unearth.
21 SeptemberUnited Nations World Peace Day
Olive trees will take centre stage in City Square to mark United Nations World Peace Day, from noon. Write a message of peace on a card stamped with a Michael Leunig Peace Duck and tie it to an olive tree branch to wish for peace in places of conflict.
Sport
30 AugustA Walk in the Park
Get walking and help to create positive change for people living with Parkinson’s disease. A range of fun, family activities create a memorable experience for thousands of enthusiastic participants and every dollar raised helps to support people living with Parkinson’s in Victoria.
30 AugustSofitel Girls’ Day out Melbourne Cup Carnival
Celebrate the return of spring racing at Flemington with the Sofitel Girls’ Day Out. The day features four Group races, including the headline $400,000 Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes. It’s a world-class event that encompasses the finest racing, entertainment, fashion, culture, food and wine.
30 September to 3 October2015 Foxtel Footy Festival
This year, grand final fever will move to the MCG and surrounding Yarra Park as Melburnians count down to the big day. Events include the Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade, family-friendly activities, food, music and social zones for the after-work crowd.
3 OctoberAFL Grand Final
It’s not often the AFL Grand Final is played in October, but there is an easy way to remember with the help of footy-anthem-writer Mike Brady’s reworked classic: ‘There’s one day in October. Footy’s almost over...’
Discover all that’s happening in Melbourne on What’s On12.
Sports clubs invited to play at Docklands The City of Melbourne is seeking expressions of interest from Docklands residents to form new community sports clubs in the Docklands’ newest open space.
Ron Barassi Senior Park includes a grassed area suitable for numerous sports and activities such as soccer, AFL 9s, rugby, yoga and ultimate frisbee. There is also a community pavilion, a children’s playground and plenty of space to kick a ball or walk the dog.
The new park, due to open later this year, will provide plenty of space for people to exercise and get together in the open air.
The name Ron Barassi Senior was chosen by public vote and honours the former Melbourne Football Club rover who left for World War II just days after the club’s 1940 premiership.
Barassi Senior was also a City of Melbourne employee and was killed in action in Tobruk in 1941. His name appears on a marble memorial in the Melbourne Town Hall listing the officers and employees who served in the World Wars of 1914–18 and 1939–45.
The park was funded by the Victorian Government, constructed by Places Victoria and once complete it will be owned and operated by the City of Melbourne.
Attention all music maestrosThe Federation Bells in Birrarung Marr are truly the people’s bells. Anyone with the app can play the bells with a smart phone or tablet.
Both budding and accomplished musical maestros can take the interaction one step further with the Federation Bells composition competition.
More than 70 compositions were received for last year’s competition, with the $2000 prize awarded to engineer John Coutts.
The judges said: ‘John created a spacious work of beautiful shimmering textures that ebbs and flows. It makes excellent use of the Federation Bells’ dynamic sensitivity and has an extra mesmerising quality when standing amongst the bells’.
Compositions can be created with a smart phone, or via the composition website at www.federationbells.com.au. Composers with more technical skills can download a patch to use in their own studio.
The 39 computer controlled bells, created for the centenary of Australia’s Federation, play more than 100 compositions each week. Take up the challenge and make Federation Bells in Birrarung Marr some noise.
Melbourne puts out the welcome matWhen Satyaveni Poornima Veni Ghanta arrived in Docklands from India last October, she felt a little lost. Accompanied by her husband and two-year old son, she had no other family and very few friends in Melbourne and felt trapped in her small apartment.
‘I had butterflies in my stomach,’ Poornima said, ‘I couldn’t even get out and ride the free tram, I needed a gentle push’.
Poornima had previously lived in the US and UK with her husband, who works for Ericsson, but there was a major difference with her move to Melbourne. ‘This time has been more difficult because I have a child,’ she said: ‘I need to get out with Suhas every day’.
Looking for a helping hand, Poornima discovered the Docklands Hub and was introduced to a range of activities and services in Melbourne.
Soon she was sitting around cushions and wooden blocks with other mums and children, chatting and playing as part of a family program at the Hub. ‘I instantly felt a sense of belonging and now I feel liberated knowing everyone here,’ Poornima said.
Many recently arrived residents have little knowledge of the social and cultural landscape. The New to Melbourne Program offers seven free information sessions to support families who have just moved into the municipality. The program explains where to find services and activities including childcare and kindergarten programs, playgroups, and maternal and child health nursing.
The hub has also become a place for mums and their children to get together and plan activities. Several families have even banded together to buy in bulk and share the shopping load.
In a back room, a circle of mums and youngsters take part in a session led by two bright guest speakers from Library at The Dock. With hand clapping, singing, hugging and crayon smearing, it’s a happy place.
In January the program will move to a larger space and cater for more people to drop in, develop friendships and share information.
Encouraged by her positive experience mixing at the Hub, Poornima has discovered more activities in the city such as Thai cooking classes and the Melbourne walking tours.
‘My calendar is full’, she said.
For more information, visit City of Melbourne13.
Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre now openCarlton residents got their first chance to experience the new Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre following its opening in July.
More than 1000 people attend the community open day to see how the redevelopment had transformed the 1870s primary school building into a beautiful 21st century resource centre.
Members of the Syme family, including former editor of The Age Ranald Macdonald, also attended a special ceremony to see how the centre had changed.
Not just a repository for its 40,000 lending books, CDs and DVDs, the building is also a thriving hub for the community complete with training rooms, a computer lab, recording studio, meeting rooms, activity spaces and free Wi-Fi.
Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson was commissioned to develop an artwork for the building, which is situated in the main entrance to greet visitors as they enter the building.
A social enterprise cafe also ensures a quality Melbourne coffee is never too far away.
For more information, visit Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre14.
RMIT and MSFW celebrate 10-year anniversaryAssociate Professor Karen Webster started working at RMIT University in 1992 and has held senior positions in fashion since 1994. After a five-year secondment as the Director of the Melbourne Fashion Festival, Karen returned to RMIT where she is now Deputy Head of School, Fashion and Textiles.
How did the collaboration with RMIT and Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) first come about?
In 2005 we started discussing how vital fashion was to the culture of our city and two key things contributed to that. Firstly, the spirit of MSFW and its commitment to emerging designers, which was intrinsic since its inception. Secondly, that RMIT University was part of the ethos of the city with its focus on design, creativity and innovation. It was logical that we should combine our commitment to Melbourne and its creative soul by working together.
What benefits do the RMIT graduate runways have for students?
This is an exceptional opportunity for students to share the same catwalk as some of our leading designers. MSFW provides a showcase of RMIT Fashion to the media and industry in a highly polished, professional experience.
What was the most memorable moment from a graduate runway?
Oh, there are so many and every year it just gets better and better. One experience that will always stay with me was actually off-runway, but facilitated by MSFW to support our students. The year that Danni Minogue was the ‘face’ of MSFW she came into RMIT to meet the students. It was meant to be a brief visit and she stayed for hours. Danni is incredible, at the time she had her own label and was astutely informed on the industry and understood the detail that went into the creations. She had a genuine interest in the students and provided sound and professional advice.
How has the RMIT graduate runway program evolved over the years?
We are so lucky to have access to Melbourne’s best venue (the Melbourne Town Hall) and over the years leading stylists, production companies, choreographers, DJs and the whole behind-the-scenes teams that make this event happen. We have moved from being an off-site event to being embedded into the main schedule. This year as we celebrate ten 10 years together, RMIT Fashion will present looks in the first of the runways in the Melbourne Town Hall launching an exciting week of Melbourne’s best fashion offerings.
What do you like best about the graduate runways?
I love the energy. I personally feel so proud of the incredible talent of our students and the effort and support contributed by our staff to make this happen. On the night the Town Hall is filled with supporters who are keen to see what the next generation of fashion designers represents. The excitement is electric. My hands are almost raw from all the clapping at the end of the show.
For more information, visit Melbourne Spring Fashion Week15.
Decorative flower boxes were installed on the south side of Collins Street, between Exhibition and Russell streets, in June as part of a six-month trial. The flower boxes are similar to those outside the Melbourne Town Hall and are intended to brighten the area for local traders. The displays will be monitored to gauge their impact and maintenance levels.
New Asset Management Strategy
A draft Asset Management Strategy has been developed as part of a long-term plan to create and obtain the assets that will be needed by the City of Melbourne in coming decades. By managing our assets carefully we aim to meet future challenges and ensure long-term sustainability and liveability.
Looking after our furry friends
When out and about with your pet in the City of Melbourne, remember your pet needs to be registered and wearing their current registration tag. If you’re with your dog in an open space, please remember to carry a plastic bag or pooper scooper and dispose of their droppings appropriately.
Go green and get rewarded
City of Melbourne residents can now earn exclusive discounts from local businesses for recycling and living green. GreenMoney is our rewards program for the environment. Earn points for eco-friendly activities and redeem for free meals, movie tickets and discounted groceries. Sign up at greenmoney.com.au or download the GreenMoney app today.
Are your immunisations up to date?
Children under the age of six years living in the municipality can get vaccinations at our community immunisation sessions and at their regular check-ups with our maternal and child health nurses. Stop by one of our open community sessions or contact us to discuss options for your family.
City of Melbourne, GPO Box 1603, Melbourne VIC 3001Fax for all councillors 03 9658 9613
All committee meetings are held in: Council Meeting Room, Level 2 Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne, except the Docklands Coordination Committee, which is held at: Goods Shed, 710 Collins Street, Docklands, Melbourne.
All council meetings are held in: Council Chamber, (Public Gallery, Level 3) Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne.
On occasion, council meetings are rescheduled or special meetings of the committees and council are called.
For upcoming council and committee meeting dates and times, visit melbourne.vic.gov.au
Changes to the meeting schedule are published at melbourne.vic.gov.au and on the notice board at the front of the Melbourne Town Hall administration building.
Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 4 August 5.30pm
Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 11 August 5.30pm
Council Tuesday 25 August 5.30pm
Council meetings September 2015Meeting Date Time
Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 1 September 5.30pm
Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 8 September 5.30pm
Docklands Coordination Committee Tuesday 15 September 6pm
Council Tuesday 29 September
Lord Mayor’s CommendationsDavid and Jean Beanham Modak Motocycles
The interior of Elizabeth Street’s Modak Motorcycles hasn’t changed much in the five decades it has served motorcycle riders and enthusiasts. The specialist parts shop has a rustic appearance with a well-trodden wooden floor, enduring wooden cupboards, wooden shelves and wooden cabinets filled with neatly arranged motorcycle parts.
An ex-Australian army BSA B40 motorcycle stands at the entrance as a symbol of the business the family has operated for the last 60 years. David Beanham, 59, has served customers since the age of five, helping out after class and on Saturday mornings.
‘I guess it’s in my blood. My father, uncle and grandfather, were all in the motorcycle trade,’ David said.
During the Second World War David’s father, Robert and uncle, Harry, began working together selling motorcycles and parts in Elizabeth Street. In 1955 his father bought the Modak business at 342 Elizabeth Street. Seventeen years later the business moved across the road when the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop authority acquired the block to build Museum Station, now known as Melbourne Central Station.
Robert died aged 90 in 2001, but David’s ninety-one year old mother Jean, still works beside him, five and a half days a week. David, who rides a 1956 BSA Gold Star in rallies, laughs when he is quizzed about the good and bad about working with family. ‘The good is that you trust the person you are working with. Don’t ask me what the bad is’.
Customers who walk through the open door often have a back story to their motorcycle parts needs. David is happy to engage but he says, ‘there’s not too much I haven’t heard’.
Over the years Modak has catered for a range of traditional bikes including Harley and Indian, but principally the British BSA, Norton and Triumph models, which had all stopped production by the early 1980s. Since then Modak has specialised in parts for motorcycles from the 1940s to 1980s.
‘People aren’t keeping their old bikes going (anymore), they don’t ride to (commute), it’s more of a hobby,’ David said. ‘They are restoring them, wanting them to look right. Gone are the days of the long run. When did you last see an old bike on the road?’
It’s a love of the bikes themselves and attention to detail that keeps customers coming through David’s door.
In 2013 David Beanham was recognised with a silver Lord Mayor’s Commendation and his mother Jean received a platinum commendation. Modak Motorcycles is located at 299 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne. The businesses featured on this page are all recipients of Lord Mayor’s commendations. The commendations recognise the long-term commitment and contributions of Melbourne’s small business proprietors and family-run businesses to the City of Melbourne.
For more information visit Lord Mayor’s Commendations16.
