YOUR CITY OF MAGAZINE FEBRUARY - MARCH 2016

MOOMBA FESTIVAL FLOATS SPRING ETERNAL

AN ECO CITY AN OPEN MIND ON OPEN SPACE

MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU YOUR CITY OF MELBOURNE MAGAZINE CONTENTS LORD MAYOR’S MESSAGE

FEATURES 05 ROAD TO RESILIENCE Brings Melbourne together

08 FLOATS SPRING ETERNAL Festival 2016

10 AN ECO CITY An open mind on open space

12 LORD MAYOR’S CREATIVE WRITING AWARD

Epic composition wins writing award

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle at the City of Melbourne’s Grow Show for the Sustainable Living Festival 2015 Local resident Jenny Sargeant outside Carlton Baths REGULARS With warm days enticing people Look out too for the International Womens’ 02 LORD MAYOR’S MESSAGE outdoors, Melbourne welcomes a Day Festival from 7 to 13 March at the cavalcade of events in February and historic Queen Women’s Centre. CARLTON BATHS 04 YOUR SAY March. From sport and art to food and Melburnians are famously passionate about Letters, tweets and a little love from wine, the city is brimming with a wide sport and love to watch the best from our friends variety of entertainment options. Australia and overseas. CENTENARY Moomba is one of the city’s favourite The Formula 1 05 CITY NEWS ‘There were no trees, no plants and no annual events, but there are many commences on 17 March, much to the February marks 100 years since shade. There was only one indoor shower Water website makes a splash other gatherings that also attract tens delight of the sport’s enthusiasts. Carlton residents first slipped into the and not a lot of hot water’. of thousands of visitors to our city. In cool water of their own public bath. But it’s not just about being a spectator: we 14 EVENTS CALENDAR February we enjoy many community and Since then the pool has undergone a get involved in our sport too, especially if In 1916, municipal baths were primarily built arts events, including Chinese New Year, $19.5 million redevelopment. ‘Now we have A few of our favourite things it’s to raise money for a worthy cause. for sanitation and hygienic purposes, rather White Night Melbourne and the impressive really lovely facilities’, she said. In addition than as recreational facilities. New facilities at Carlton Baths exhibitions at the National Gallery of In March cycling is in the spotlight with to swimming, Jenny now attends yoga and 17 YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Victoria. the Women’s Ride and the MS Melbourne A report on the purchase of land for the spin classes. ‘I’m loving doing different Cycle. Runners can take a scenic tour of baths, which appeared in in 1915 said: things. The whole atmosphere is really A Welcome Dinner The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra CARLTON BATHS the city with the /CityLink Run lovely, it’s a very welcoming environment’. enlivens Town Hall in March while the for the Kids, which takes participants past ‘With the growth of population in Carlton OPEN DAY 18 MELBOURNE LOVE Melbourne Food and Wine Festival brings The upgrades include improved many Melbourne landmarks, including the the need for a swimming basin in the flavours and fun to our laneways and sustainability features such as rainwater 13 FEBRUARY Festival of Live Art and Docklands. Money raised district has become even more urgent riverfront. collection, solar hot water and passive 10AM TO 3PM goes to the Royal Children’s Hospital. and at last the baths committee has taken ventilation. Accessibility modifications 19 YOUR COUNCIL Moomba begins on 11 March, enthralling decisive action … The site is practically in Celebrate 100 years of the Carlton Baths Melbourne’s robust events calendar attracts to the main pool include a ramp and families with its sentimental highlights the very heart of the most congested areas as the doors swing open to all for an thousands of visitors to our city which is re-levelled floor to make it easier for all 20 LORD MAYOR’S COMMENDATIONS including carnival rides, the Birdman Rally in Carlton, and is sufficiently large to permit epic pool party. great news for our hundreds of businesses members of the community to use the pool. and the traditional parade. We also invite of the erection of a bath with a basin Matt Thompson: mattt and our economy as people linger and Cool off in the freshly renovated main Melburnians and visitors to enjoy the Virgin 100 feet by 97 feet’. dine or shop before and after shows and pool, or bring the family and enjoy the Australia Melbourne Festival, sporting events. The new outdoor ‘swimming bath’ was toddlers’ pool, new play equipment, Cultural Diversity Week and community not heated or chlorinated, the water was ‘I’m loving doing petting zoo, face painting and sausage festivals in Carlton and Kensington. I hope you enjoy the many events on offer changed once a week and separate bathing sizzle. and encourage you to try something new, as different things. The The Comedy Festival, a Melbourne days were allocated for men and women. well as revisit traditional favourites, in 2016. whole atmosphere is Residents, friends, family and visitors are institution, turns 30 in this year. We attract Mixed bathing at Carlton Baths was invited to see how times have changed Information and events in this publication are current at the the big names for our world renowned approved by Council in 1929 and coincided really lovely, it’s a very thanks to the recently completed time of printing. Subsequent changes may occur. The City event but why not step out of your comfort of Melbourne does not guarantee that this publication is with the first major improvements for the welcoming environment’. redevelopment. without flaw or wholly appropriate for your purposes. It and zone and see one of the more intimate site. Five houses on Rathdowne Street were its employees expressly disclaim any liability, for any loss shows? Town Hall is one of the event’s Tour the new and improved facilities or damage, whether direct or consequential, suffered by purchased and demolished to make way for any person as the result of or arising from reliance on any venues; you know it’s Comedy Festival time a new entrance and change rooms, which that formed part of the two-stage information contained in the publication. A new toddlers’ pool and modern play when you hear hysterical laughter from the included the most up-to-date features for redevelopment and represent a Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor equipment have been added, while the $19.5 million investment in the © All applicable copyrights reserved for the City of Melbourne. next room while debating serious Council the time, such as hot water for the showers. Except for any uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 business! centre’s landscaping has been improved Carlton community. (Cth), no part of this publication may be reproduced in any @LordMayorMelb Carlton resident Jenny Sargeant, who has with new trees and shade sails. manner or in any medium (whether electronic or otherwise) Carlton Baths, 216–248 Rathdowne without the express permission of the City of Melbourne. been a regular at the baths for the past These additions follow the completion Street, Carlton. 15 years, remembers austere visits to the of stage one works in 2012, which saw pool, in the not too distant past. upgrades to the change rooms and FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT Jenny said when she first joined the new group fitness rooms, a cycling Cover: A performer soaks up the colour and excitement of a Moomba Parade as she scoots down St Kilda Road. melbourne.vic.gov.au/carltonbaths Carlton Baths it was pretty basic and the studio, weights room/gymnasium and pool’s boiler was prone to breakdown. reception area.

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YOUR SAY CITY NEWS

LETTER OF THE MONTH ROAD TO RESILIENCE

I walk past the clock in the Garden most days, it gives me so much BRINGS MELBOURNE TOGETHER pleasure to see the beautiful way the staff put together this clock garden, different plants, colours, textures and so well maintained. Artistic – fitting as opposite the gallery. Please commend the gardening staff, I am sure they don’t realise how it can make such a Melbourne’s first Resilience Strategy need to collaborate with our neighbouring to be one of the Rockefeller Foundation’s difference to a person’s day. I work as a nurse in a hospital and appreciate the good vibes is nearing completion and the central municipalities and those across the metro 33 inaugural Resilient Cities in 2014. area’. I get from the gardens. Thank you. theme that underpins it is the value of At the time there was no integrated collaboration and togetherness. Barbara Jackson ‘Sydney and Wellington recently joined approach to building resilience in greater Melbourne and Christchurch on the Melbourne and many municipalities had Melbourne’s Chief Resilience Officer, Toby Rockefeller Foundation’s list of 100 Resilient little capacity to devote to such a complex Share your thoughts with us at [email protected] Kent, who oversees the development of the Cities, which means we now have four cities set of issues. strategy, said the document will outline how in the Oceanic region, all working toward the The new Resilience Strategy is being What can I do to reduce the metropolitan local governments can work same the goal of empowering communities developed following extensive research and amount of rubbish I put in my bin together to support communities to cope and trying to make our cities as great as they consultation with the 32 local governments More glow in the dark bike paths. Did you know 15% of the and send to landfill? better with the shocks and stresses that can be, for the rest of this century’. C’mon @cityofmelbourne this @cityofmelbourne is public open affect our daily lives. that make up metropolitan Melbourne, the would be great for summer! space? That’s more than 500 There are a number of ways you can The idea of a resilient city was a relatively State Government and key community and ‘Melbourne is world renowned as a #Melbourne #cycling hectares… #urbanforest reduce your everyday kitchen and new concept when Melbourne was selected industry stakeholders. wonderful place to live, but we cannot hide garden waste at home, whether you live from the fact that it will face challenges @IDEABOMBINGMELB @DUBESAUSTRALIA in a large house or small city apartment. in the future. Building our resilience Compost bins are ideal for gardens and now is about the viability, liveability, and are a good place to put kitchen scraps, prosperity of our city, today and for future Black swans with 6 new signets Appreciating these spaces more fresh lawn clippings and weeds, as well generations’, he said. nesting on the # staging now thanks to a great Urban as autumn leaves, branches, hedge One example Toby cites is the work the in #melbourne #healthyrivers @ Water Walking Tour. clippings and straw. YVWater @cityofmelbourne Thx @cityofmelbourne City of Melbourne has done in terms of tree If you have little garden space you can planting. Trees increase the amenity of the @SUE_OCONNOR @KATHERINEBH still compost some of your kitchen city, but also reduce the urban heat island waste by using a worm farm. Worm effect and support the natural eco-system. farms are odourless, require very little ‘This sort of work is great’, Toby said, ‘but maintenance and produce rich fertiliser Great initiative by @LordMayorMelb Swung by #Melbourne’s Hosier to have significant, lasting impact we & @cityofmelbourne to open Lane to catch some #StarWars for your garden and pot plants. Worms centres & provide pool movie . are nature’s recyclers and eat thing like passes to the #homeless #heatwave kitchen scraps, tea leaves, tea bags @PAT and coffee grounds. Avoid composting @SAKSHAMKATYAL citrus, meat and dairy products.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT melbourne.vic.gov.au/waste

CONNECT WITH US

@edinasaputra @missd_73 @photos_by_jase @morbones www.facebook.com/cityofmelbourne

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instagram.com/cityofmelbourne Chief Resilience Officer, Toby Kent Collaboration in action at a resilience workshop in 2015 www.google.com/+cityofmelbourne @nuiyingxing @theworldasbecseesit @travelshunter @veloaporter

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DECEMBER 2015 - JANUARY 2016

YOUR CITY OF MELBOURNE MAGAZINE

YOUR CITY OF MELBOURNE MAGAZINE The City of Melbourne is trialling a new to receive an email when MELBOURNE is AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2015 MELBOURNE Future Melbourne update Volunteer as a citizen forester online version of MELBOURNE, starting with published online. SPRING FASHION our next issue, April - May 2016. WEEK Melbourne’s urban forest is one of the city’s THE MODERN Help refresh the Future Melbourne strategic plan, to Copies of the magazine will be available MELBOURNE MAN prepare the city for the coming decade. Since 2008 most important assets. Citizen Forester Program If your postal address is outside the at the and all City the plan has helped guide the city’s development, volunteers are trained and empowered to municipality, or if you currently receive of Melbourne libraries. prosperity and liveability. Melbourne’s businesses, improve urban ecology through advocacy, the magazine in the post, this issue is the CONNECTED monitoring and research tasks. The volunteer CITY last hard copy of the magazine you will GREAT CITIES ARE institutions, residents, students, visitors and workers SUBSCRIBE ONLINE AT CONNECTED CITIES A CHRISTMAS program includes a variety of activities and receive by post. CREATIVE are now invited to share ideas to help inform the melbourne.vic.gov.au/ CREATION KIDS GINGERBREAD CITY A FRESH START FOR plan’s next chapter, Future Melbourne 2026. caters for different levels of ability, interest A FORGOTTEN LANEWAY To stay up to date with what’s happening in melbournemag MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU Have your say until 31 March. and availability. Register your interest on the MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU Participate website. the City of Melbourne, you can now subscribe

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COLLABORATIVE THINKING ON CARBON REDUCTION

While heads of state gathered in Paris Simon said the collaborative process had to talk climate change in December also been very interesting for NEXTDC 2015, the City of Melbourne put the as a pure business. ‘When you are trying finishing touches on a home-grown to bring 12 to 14 very different parties together it can be very hard’, he said. ‘But carbon-reduction initiative, which is Hero Apartments it’s not a sprint. You can’t risk it failing’. set to be an Australian first. The partners aim to purchase 120GWh The concept was simple: combine the of energy from renewable sources, the SOLAR CITY energy needs of a group of large energy equivalent of planting more than 175,000 consumers to support the development of trees, or powering 31,000 households. AIMS HIGH a renewable energy plant to supply energy Hidden from view, high above the city back to the group at a competitive rate. streets, some of Melbourne’s most The partners come from a range of ‘NEXTDC will spend prestigious buildings are adding solar industries and include the University of power to their already impressive résumés. Melbourne, RMIT, NEXTDC, the City of Port millions of dollars on New solar power installations on buildings Phillip, Moreland City Council, Federation power and we want like the boutique Hero Apartments on Square, Citywide and Bank Australia. Russell Street and blue-chip commercial Sustainable water projects across the city are helping to create healthier waterways to drive that business Simon Cooper, Chief Operating Officer tower 101 Collins demonstrate that solar is of NEXTDC said the energy-hungry data towards renewable the new black in building bling. centre wanted to help the sustainable power’. Tricia Caswell, a resident and member of power generation find its feet in Australia. the Hero Owners Corporation Committee WATER WEBSITE MAKES A SPLASH ‘NEXTDC will spend millions of dollars on said the building has derived many power and we want to drive that business FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT benefits from installing solar panels on Over a decade of drought, our city The organisation undertook a number of to see the City of Melbourne take on a towards renewable power’. melbourne.vic.gov.au/renewables the roof, including reduced energy costs parks dried out and our trees and water-wise projects such as stormwater leadership role. for common areas, long-term energy savings, reduced carbon emissions, and horticultural assets suffered. Now we harvesting, passive irrigation and permeable paving. an increase in property value due to an have gathered the lessons we learnt enhanced reputation for the building. into an innovative new website for The Urban Water website received a The Urban Water website all to see. Program Innovation Award from the features tours, videos and ‘Many owners and residents have Victorian branch of Water expressed pride in the building’s early The Urban Water website features tours, Association, the peak national association interactive maps to help adoption of solar’, Tricia said. videos and interactive maps to help tell the for the water industry, in December last year. tell the story of drought- The entire process took the committee story of drought-proofing the city. The award recognises excellence and proofing the city. just over one year, from the initial During the drought the City of Melbourne innovation in sustainability programs for decision to go solar, to the completed had no alternative water supply, so the water sector. The judging panel noted installation in December 2015. when water restrictions came into force, that a project of this kind was long overdue FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ‘It may take time but it is interesting, irrigation systems had to be turned off. for the water industry and was pleased melbourne.vic.gov.au/urbanwater challenging and satisfying’. She said the key to success was nominating a member of the committee to look into the viability of solar and report back on a regular basis. REWARDS MAKE RESIDENTS GREEN WITH ENVY ‘Financing the solar panels was covered with our own funds, small-scale After joining the GreenMoney program The points can be exchanged with a wide technology certificates rebates from Kensington resident George Luis discovered variety of retailers including Hoyts, Eureka the Federal Government, a small grant the many advantages of recycling. Skydeck, Rebel Sport, Yoga Centre, Ziilch, from City of Melbourne via Smart Blocks Terracycle, Melbourne Sealife Aquarium, and a small loan from the Sustainable Like a frequent flyer program for green Melbourne City Baths, Car Next Door, Hello Melbourne Fund’, she said. behaviour, GreenMoney awards points to Fresh, Terra Rossa, Reusables and Little participants for taking positive sustainable Owners corporations interested in installing Cupcakes Melbourne. actions like recycling. The points can be solar power can access loans through reclaimed for discounts and special offers Participants earn reward points by the Sustainable Melbourne Fund. Advice at a variety of retailers. recycling and taking up challenges to earn on other energy projects is also available extra bonus points. through the Smart Blocks program. George, who can now identify more recyclables at home, recently used his FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT ‘green money’ on cinema tickets. ‘I’ve TO JOIN TO PROGRAM, VISIT melbourne.vic.gov.au/ been looking forward to Star Wars’, said melbourne.vic.gov.au/greenmoney sustainability Earn rewards by recycling George, who has also attended a recycling Members of the carbon-reduction initiative gather at Melbourne Town Hall workshop promoted through the program.

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MOOMBA FESTIVAL FLOATS SPRING ETERNAL

Moomba has always been a festival for the people and these days the Moomba Parade is also inspired by the people. float designed by Freddie Asmussen, 1963

Community-designed float, 2015

LOVE MELBOURNE Hallowed turf tram, 2000s Gifts on parade, 2014 LOVE MOOMBA 2016 11 TO 14 MARCH Celebrate the Labour Day long weekend at Australia’s largest community festival, Moomba. Proudly owned and delivered by the City of Melbourne. Enjoy free music, performance and activities at the Main Arena and in the Kids Zone. Experience Moomba’s carnival rides for kids, the tame and the brave. Realise new skills on the ramp with scoot, skate and BMX clinics at the Skate Park. See elite athletes battle it out for the Moomba Masters Championships titles at the River. Find a shady spot to relax and participate in workshops and activities at the Green. And witness the festival’s longstanding, iconic events – Peter’s Paddle Steamer, 1964 Australian Wool Board, 1963 Sunflower float, 1960s the Birdman Rally and Moomba Parade.

Festival organisers tapped into the minds design is finalised they have about three Victorian Railways float and a Melbourne The 1990s saw the parade move away anniversary, a rotating diamond-shaped ‘We get so many people, they love it’, of Moomba fans this year, to bring to months to build all the elements. Metropolitan Board of Works float. from corporate sponsorship and increase float was created to carry Moomba said Darryl. life the weird and wonderful ideas that its focus on the community, the arts monarchs and Lucy ‘We use everything: steel, timber, plywood By the 1960s and 1970s big companies This year’s parade will be officially opened populate our imaginations. and the cultural diversity of the city. In Durack. Of course the party would not and PE30, which is foam rubber. We also and organisations commissioned luxuriant by the traditional owners of the land, the 2001, the family-friendly parade sparked be complete without a cake, so a giant Enthusiastic parade designers were have to keep things as light as possible’, floats to dazzle spectators. A giant ram, Wurundjeri tribe, on Monday 14 March, controversy when performers from the celebration cake float also took pride of invited to submit their designs at last he said. complete with winner’s sash, adorned with a Welcome to Country address. highly-regarded French theatre troupe, place in the parade line-up. year’s festival. More than 575 designs were the Australian Wool Board float in 1963. The parade starts from the Shrine of Darryl and his talented team of highly Ilotopie, danced on a float covered in received, from which a final group of six The revered creator of Myer’s famous This year’s Moomba Parade will proudly Remembrance on St Kilda Road at 11am skilled artisans, painters and makers have nothing but body paint. were chosen for this year’s parade. Christmas window displays, Freddie celebrate Melbourne’s unique characteristics and concludes at Linlithgow Avenue, with come together for the past six years to Asmussen, designed about 20 Moomba Around the same time Melbourne’s iconic with a talented stable of local performers, prime vantage points at the beginning of Selection and construction of the floats work on the parade floats and features. floats and won the prize for the best float trams became a key feature of the parade, artistically designed floats inspired by the the parade route. is overseen by Darryl Cordell, creative The 2016 parade will mark Darryl’s seventh at least a dozen times. to illustrate the place trams hold in the community and its distinct, fun-loving energy. director of the Moomba Parade. Moomba Festival. Aspiring designers should also come to hearts of Melburnians and in the city. The Alongside these lavish floats rolled simpler After months of work, Darryl and his the Main Arena armed with ideas and When choosing a design Darryl looks for Like the ever-popular Birdman Rally, the trams were decorated by artists working displays of civic pride put together team are elated when the big day comes. inspiration for the 2017 Moomba Parade. something interesting and lively, which will parade and its floats have long been a with communities to celebrate the people by community groups and non-profit ‘The best part is seeing them go down the And for the first time, budding designers lend itself to the setting. ‘Part of the process highlight of Moomba. and . One inventive organisations such as the Surf Lifesaving street. Seeing all the work put together. The who can’t make it to Moomba will have is we get [participants] in, so they can be response to the challenge saw a tram At the first Moomba Parade in 1955, the Association of Victoria and St John finished product is pretty speccy’, he said. the chance to submit a design online. involved in the evolution of the design’. entirely covered in artificial grass. Named Queen of Moomba sailed down Swanston Ambulance. Since the 1960s a colourful Visit the Moomba website for details. the Hallowed Turf, the green tram was a A few of the team from the Yarraville Darryl and his team work with the amateur Street on an elegant swan-shaped dragon, made to celebrate the local homage to the city’s sporting pride. workshop get to walk in the parade, while designers to bring the draft to life with float and the procession that followed Chinese community, has regularly featured some of the selected designers will take FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT extra features, life and colour. Once the included a replica train riding high on the in the parade. Age has not wearied the parade and in their floats for a spin past crowds of melbourne.vic.gov.au/moomba 2014, to commemorate Moomba’s 60th excited Moomba fans.

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AN ECO CITY

Melbourne is a green city, an artful Since 2012, more than 35,000 sqm of open One of Melbourne’s largest public open patchwork of green parks, heritage space have been added to the City of space projects, set to add an impressive gardens and sequestered squares. Melbourne, including Buluk and Ron Barassi 25,000 sqm to the current open space tally, Senior parks in Docklands and the Neill is earmarked for Southbank. AN OPEN MIND Open space is a local amenity we have Street Reserve in Carlton. Southbank is one of Melbourne’s most come to expect from a liveable city like At a substantial 22,000 sqm, Ron Barassi densely populated suburbs, with more than Melbourne, but there are also numerous Senior Park was the result of collaboration 90 per cent of its residents living in high- environmental benefits of green open between the Victorian Government and the rise apartments. More buildings, more hard space that help us to achieve our goal to City of Melbourne. ‘A park like Ron Barassi surfaces and more people all contribute be an eco city, by reducing our ecological ON OPEN SPACE underlines how important it is to partner to the urban heat island effect – the name footprint. with the State Government to achieve given to metropolitan areas that are In addition to the community benefits municipal scale open space’. significantly warmer than the surrounding of outdoor spaces, increased tree cover, areas due to human activities. But such partnerships are just one avenue. increased diversity of tree species and a In the first half of 2015, a Planning Scheme cooler environment can all be attributed to Amendment that requires developers to green open space. pay a fixed open space contribution was ‘Green roofs, walls and Most of Melbourne’s major green open endorsed. The contribution can be in facades are a great way spaces were planned on the outskirts of the the form of land or a percentage of the to add greenery to our central city from 1842 onwards, as part of site value, (or a combination of both), Governor La Trobe’s vision of a green belt with proceeds going to open space land infrastructure, without of parkland encircling Melbourne. acquisition in the municipality. the need to purchase They are the expansive tracts of Royal Park In addition to using partnerships and expensive city space’. and Princes Park in the north, the formal developer contributions to fund open landscapes of the Carlton, Fitzroy and space, the City of Melbourne has been thinking creatively. in the east, the elegant By rethinking the space around the Royal Botanic Gardens, Domain Parklands ‘Green roofs, walls and facades are a great underused roads of Southbank Boulevard and Fawkner Park in the south and way to add greenery to our infrastructure and Dodds Street, a new corridor of to the west. without the need to purchase expensive connected public spaces can be created, This space has also been augmented city space’, said Cr Wood. running from the Domain Parklands on St Kilda Road to the . The new over the years with the addition of more With more than two hundred lanes in spaces will increase natural diversity, contemporary public spaces such as the central city, the Green Your Laneway enable flood mitigation and stormwater City Square, and program is an innovative way to transform harvesting, while still meeting current Birrarung Marr. existing public space into leafy, green traffic requirements. spaces – without a big price tag. Four central city laneways have been chosen as ‘When we reclaim grey areas and turn ‘We need to look part of a pilot program to bring the green them into green open spaces we are vision to life. also creating a landscape that supports creatively and biodiversity in the city, from butterflies and ‘From growing vertical gardens, to planting birds, to bugs and beetles.’ comprehensively at our trees and creating pocket parks, our city to find new ways to laneways have enormous potential to Land in Southbank does not come cheap. become our city’s backyards. It’s good for It is conservatively valued at around $7000 bring green open space the environment, good for the city and per square metre. ‘If we were to buy this back into the city’. great for people’, he said. land on the open market it would cost us around $140 million’, he said. The City of Melbourne has also investigated the ‘green’ potential of every rooftop in the Through creative thinking and future Today the City of Melbourne manages municipality and discovered the city holds planning the City of Melbourne aims to almost 500 hectares of open space, or the potential to house 328 hectares of green bring more green open space into the city roughly 15 per cent of the total area of roofs, the equivalent of roughly 164 MCGs. at every opportunity. the municipality. Despite this impressive figure, it is nowhere near enough space for the expected population growth in coming decades. A target of 240,000 sqm of new open space over the next 15 years has been set. The creation of new open space is guided by our Open Space Strategy, but finding new open space in a highly urbanised city is a challenge. Environment portfolio Chair, Councillor Arron Wood said very rarely does the City of Melbourne purchase open space, as it is very expensive. ‘We need to look creatively and comprehensively at our city to find new ways to bring green open space back into Flowering meadow at Birrarung Marr the city’, he said.

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EPIC COMPOSITION OUR INSATIABLE WINS WRITING AWARD Lucasz Dziadkiewicz already had a Once the story idea fell into place Lucasz APPETITE FOR FOOD rough idea for a short story when his had three weeks to draw it. ‘I handed it in friends told him about the 2015 Lord on the last day with 40 minutes to spare’. When chef and restaurateur people eat, which is what encourages ‘For me the festival is about educating and Mayor’s Creative Writing Awards. Lucasz’s finished creation, The Composer, Rosa Mitchell catches a taxi the people to start their own traditional exploration. It’s important to think about won $1000 in the best graphic short story conversation usually finds its way to restaurants,’ she said. where food comes from’. The former graphic artist was working category and an additional $5000 for the food pretty quickly. A Sicilian Italian by birth, Rosa’s own Hordes of hungry Melburnians no doubt on an ambitious graphic novel, but the overall prize. The judges described the story restaurants hark back to the flavours and agree as the city gears up for the realisation he had not drawn a short comic as an epic tale, which commanded attention She discovers who does the cooking in the aromas of home. ‘I’ve been cooking since I 24th Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, in a long time spurred him into action. through its mix of distinct personalities, household, whether they miss the meals their was nine and have had a passion for food’. which is sponsored through the City of ‘The original idea was the composer in a detail and the build-up to its grand ending. mother used to make, and most importantly, Melbourne event partnership program. Rosa’s interest in the heritage of food is cabin, on a mountain, near a small farm’. where they go to eat in Melbourne. The bi-annual competition received 1200 evident in the event she will stage for the His hero, pianist Solomon Borsok, is a entries in 2015, almost double the number As a food lover, passionate cook and annual Melbourne Food and Wine Festival grumpy old genius with an ill sister and a of submissions for the previous awards restaurant owner, Rosa has been a close presented by the Bank of Melbourne. demanding client. MELBOURNE FOOD AND in 2013. observer of the Melbourne food scene for ‘Doing dinner here in Rosa’s Canteen is decades. WINE FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS As a UNESCO City of Literature, Melbourne about my heritage in Sicily’, she said. Festival Hub: The Urban Dairy has a strong connection to writers. The Lord She’s seen the fine dining scene give way to The Giro d’Italia on 5 March will explore 4 to 13 March Mayor’s Creative Writing Awards recognise more relaxed casual dining and witnessed the food and wine of her home region of This year’s Festival Hub is a rich the talent and creativity of emerging writers the many nationalities in Melbourne Sicily. Then diners will go on a culinary tour homage to all things dairy. See cheese, as well as our libraries which have helped to establish new and exotic food options. of Rosa’s favourite regions of Italy with a yoghurt and ice-cream makers from inspire and support them. ‘We always want to learn more about food range of specialty dishes and wines. near and far, produce their signature and cultures. We appreciate what other items on site at Queensbridge Square. LORD MAYOR’S CREATIVE Supported by Legendairy. Free event. WRITING AWARDS River Graze 2015 CATEGORY WINNERS 4, 5 and 6 March Dorothy Porter Prize for Emerging Poets Both big and little foodies will find – Michael Cooper, Slingshot something to tickle their tastebuds in this opening weekend event on the Graphic short story award – Lucasz banks of the Yarra River. Free event. Dziadkiewicz, The composer City Cellar Narrative non-fiction award – Oliver 4 to 6 March Driscoll, I guess what you say is true Sixty of the state’s best wineries come Novella award – Jennifer Down, Coarsegold together to celebrate all that is fine about Victorian wine on the lush green Short story award – Amaryllis Gacioppo, lawns of the Melbourne Exhibition and Dreams Author Lucasz Dziadkiewicz Conversion Centre. Price $55.

Masterclass 5 and 6 March See the world’s most inspiring and interesting chefs challenge the way ARTPLAY NEW IDEAS LAB we approach food and wine at Deakin Edge, Federation Square. Price $29. ArtPlay’s New Ideas Lab provides an Teamwork was an important theme, not Rosa Mitchell in her restaurant Rosa’s Canteen exciting platform for artists to explore and individual success. develop new projects or collaborations Simon said a strong part of the attraction that will become performances, interactive for the children was playing in the dark. exhibitions and visual art workshops for ‘The kids are scared, but not too scared’. children and their families. The excitable children emerge after the New Ideas Lab alumni Simon Bedford game wanting even more scares. ‘So we BUSINESS EVENTS THAT MAKE CENTS and Roslyn Oades have the program to think we have the balance right’. Business events and conferences that AAAH National Youth Health Conference thank for helping them develop their With an emphasis on creative invention, promote Melbourne as a desirable and the Link Festival: Design, Technology interactive fairy tale, In a deep, dark forest, the New Ideas Lab has hosted sand art destination in 2016–17 may be eligible for and Social Change. experienced by hundreds of wide-eyed animation workshops, a playground sponsorship from the City of Melbourne. children at ArtPlay last December. Applications for sponsorship of up to ‘doorway to the imagination’ and an The business event sponsorship program can $10,000 open on 15 February and close Roslyn invented the environmental tale about installation space full of surprises and fun help conference delegates experience all that on 14 March. The events must take place a troll stealing the light from an enchanted through sound, touch and performance. the city has to offer and facilitate business between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017. forest with the help of children who Applications are now open for New Ideas Lab networking opportunities in the city. participated in the New Ideas Lab workshops. 2016. Submissions close on 1 April. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT Sponsorship recipients in 2015-16 include ​ In the game, the children aged 7 to 12 melbourne.vic.gov.au/ the 2015 Waste Expo, Agricultural worked out how to rescue the light by FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT grantsandsponsorship Artists Roslyn Oades and Simon Bedford A stand at the 2015 Waste Expo Bioscience International Conference, ​ code-cracking and collaboration. melbourne.vic.gov.au/artplay

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EVENTS CALENDAR FEB MAR MAR 4-14 20 6 A FEW OF OUR FAVOURITE THINGS

Lunar Markets Multicultural Festival The Women’s Ride

ONGOING 8 TO 23 FEBRUARY 28 FEBRUARY 4 TO 13 MARCH 19 MARCH JOHN OLSEN FROGS SPIRIT OF ANZAC CENTENARY FROM BACH TO THE BEATLES MELBOURNE FOOD CARLTON HARMONY DAY FESTIVAL SPORT EXPERIENCE AND WINE FESTIVAL A new public artwork in the Children’s Argentinian organist and entertainer Hector Come together to celebrate cultural Pond, references This free interactive exhibition features Olivera will be let loose on the 10,000 pipes Ten days of flavoursome food and wine diversity with children’s activities, art, 3 FEBRUARY Australia’s 200 plus frog species and more than 200 artefacts from the of the Melbourne Town Hall Grand Organ. experiences down laneways, along the river cultural foods, musical performances and TOUR PROLOGUE the role they play as barometers for Australian War Memorial and tells the story Hear everything from Bach to The Beatles and inside cellars. Find out more on page 13. the Carlton community in this family- environmental change. The supersized of Australia’s involvement in the First World plus a surprise improvisation. friendly event, at the transformed Neill Get up close to the world’s best cyclists, bronze frog sculpture ‘Frogs’ is the work of War. At the Melbourne Convention and 7 TO 13 MARCH Street Reserve. including Tour de France champion Chris Froome, as they race through artist John Olsen and was commissioned by Exhibition Centre. 28 FEBRUARY VIRGIN AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE Wonderment Walk Victoria and donated to 20 MARCH the city, starting at Federation Square MELBOURNE JAPANESE SUMMER FASHION FESTIVAL and finishing at Queensbridge Square. City of Melbourne. 20 TO 21 FEBRUARY FESTIVAL MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Presented by Jayco/Herald Sun. WHITE NIGHT MELBOURNE This stylish fashion event returns with world- 4 TO 14 FEBRUARY Head to Federation Square to meet a new class runway shows featuring established A family-friendly event at Federation Square showcasing talent from 3 AND 17 FEB AND 2 MARCH LUNAR MARKETS For one night only, White Night Melbourne generation of young performers who love and emerging designers, industry seminars, turns Melbourne on its head in a celebration to sing, dance and cosplay. Plus you can forums, live entertainment and much more. our culturally diverse communities, SUNSET SERIES Celebrate the lunar new year at The Age of culture and creativity. City streets, enjoy traditional Japanese performances, In the museum precinct. entertainment and activities for all ages. Lunar Markets in Docklands. Soak up the parklands and cultural institutions give way food and activities. A 4km or 8km sunset run at , Princes Park and The Tan, with atmosphere at this food festival, focussed to a night of intangible entertainment. 11 TO 14 MARCH 20 MARCH on delicious Asian cuisine, with a range of food and live music in the chill-out 1 TO 13 MARCH MOOMBA FESTIVAL KENSINGTON COMMUNITY FESTIVAL outdoor bars and entertainment. zones. Presented by Brooks. 20 TO 28 FEBRUARY FESTIVAL OF LIVE ART (FOLA) Celebrate Kensington’s cultural diversity F1 @ FED SQUARE Fairy floss, birdmen and a kaleidoscope of 5 TO 21 FEBRUARY Experience some of the most exciting carnival rides return to the banks of the Yarra with live music, entertainment and 28 FEBRUARY delicious food stalls while watching local CHINESE NEW YEAR FESTIVAL The Australian Grand Prix activation returns artists working in performance today. Find River for this annual rite on the Labour Day WE CAN WALK IT OUT to Federation Square with an impressive out more on page 18. long weekend. Find out more on page 8. youth teams play for the Unity Cup, the Delve into the colour and tradition of F1 display. AFL’s annual multicultural Aussie rules Save women’s lives with a 4km walk, 4km run or 8km run around The Tan to raise Chinese New Year and ring in the year of 4 MARCH 12 TO 20 MARCH touch nine competition. the monkey on 8 February in Chinatown, money for ovarian cancer research. Free 27 TO 28 FEBRUARY MELBOURNE SYMPHONY CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK Docklands, Federation Square and along 23 MARCH TO 17 APRIL family entertainment and refreshments in 29TH LONSDALE STREET TOWN HALL CONCERT NO. 1 the Royal Botanic Gardens. the Yarra River in this family-friendly People from all walks of life promote GREEK FESTIVAL MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL festival. When Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, community harmony through hundreds of COMEDY FESTIVAL Join the party in the city’s historic Greek he played a recording of the New World events celebrating the many cultures that 20 MARCH 6 FEBRUARY Precinct for two days of free entertainment Symphony, from Dvořák’s Symphony No.9. make Victoria so vibrant. Everyone can get involved in this huge RUN FOR THE KIDS across two stages, with Greek street food, The beloved romantic works complement birthday bash, as the Comedy Festival DOMINOES Run past, through and over some of pop-up bars, cooking demonstrations, the burnished beauty of the Melbourne 13 MARCH turns 30. There’ll be laughter galore and Melbourne’s most well-known landmarks One day. One line of dominoes. Experience children’s activities and more. Town Hall in this resplendent concert. TURKISH PAZAR FESTIVAL hotspots studded with comedic gifts. the thrill of thousands of breezeblock including the Bolte Bridge, Domain Tunnel and Kings Domain, to raise dominoes falling, one by one, to create 28 FEBRUARY 2 TO 31 MARCH See transformed 25 MARCH a moving sculpture, running through into a traditional Turkish bazaar. There’ll money for the Royal Children’s Hospital. MARCS FESTIVAL GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL buildings and arcades, down laneways and INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY be vibrant tastes, colours and sounds of Presented by Herald Sun/CityLink. KIDS DAY OUT footpaths. At the Melbourne, Art, Restaurant, Cocktail, FESTIVAL Turkish food and culture. 6 MARCH Sound (MARCS) Festival, wander down Celebrate women with a range of forums, See the Melbourne Convention and 6 TO 28 FEBRUARY to Duckboard Place and ACDC Lane for panel discussions, a free visual arts 14 MARCH Exhibition Centre transformed by a THE WOMEN’S RIDE hawker-style food stalls, cocktails, street exhibition and keynote address on 8 March, GET ORGAN-ISED! huge range of child-friendly activities SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL Meet at Docklands Hub and celebrate artists, DJs, bands and more. all at the Queen Victoria Women’s Centre. for the Kids Day Out. Entry is free, with Embrace your eco-city at this year’s Discover the wonders of the Melbourne participation by donation to the Good women’s cycling with a fun group ride. Sustainable Living Festival. Get all the latest Town Hall’s Grand Organ with a day of Friday Appeal, raising funds for the More than 2500 people rode in the first know-how on how to live cleaner, smarter backstage tours, a young organists’ concert Royal Children’s Hospital. event last year, and this year promises Discover all that’s happening in Melbourne at and healthier in 2016. melbourne.vic.gov.au/whatson and there’s even a chance to play the Grand to be even bigger. Organ itself.

14 READ ONLINE AT MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU MELBOURNE FEBRUARY - MARCH 15 YOUR CITY OF MELBOURNE MAGAZINE

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

Water is a humble, unassuming thirst quencher, yet in Melbourne it has GROW SHOW been flowing from some of the most TAPPING INTO ornate drinking founts since the days A PERENNIAL of the horse and cart. FAVOURITE WATER IN THE CITY The Temperance Union Drinking Fountain, on the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria The Melbourne Town Hall surrounds Streets, was presented to the City of will once again sprout veggie Melbourne in 1901 to commemorate patches as part of the City of Federation. Melbourne’s Grow Show. The underlying aim of the lofty gift from the Women’s Christian Temperance Union Climbing plants (zucchini and purple was to provide a morally astute alternative beans) will feature at the Town Hall, to the ‘evils’ of the city pubs. The marble while a second display at Gordon and granite fountain, with its sandstone Reserve, outside Parliament Station, pillars and symbolic figure of Britannia still will also be filled with herbs and edible stands defiant opposite the Queen Victoria flowers. Market. The Grow Show has a more formal Other surviving historic drinking fountains theme this year in the style of old include the George Hawkins Ievers fashioned French parterre. Plant Memorial Drinking Fountain, Parkville varieties on show include eggplant (1916), the granite and bluestone Sir William bonica, silverbeet rainbow, pineapple Brunton Drinking Fountain, North Carlton sage and creeping thyme. There will (1930), and the more recent cast iron and be a number of espaliered fruit trees enamel Dinny O’Hearn Fountain, Lygon within the displays, presenting a more decorous finish. Street, Carlton (1981), named in honour of The Welcome Dinner in progress at the Multicultural Hub the Irish-Australian literary critic and man of The displays illustrate the colourful ways letters, who had a long association with the to make a small garden both attractive nearby . and tasty. Everything on display is a Just as it was promoted by the ladies of A WELCOME DINNER blueprint to help visitors connect to abstinence more than 160 years ago, fresh nature and inspire a lively landscape of water is still the healthiest of drinks in Melbourne is a culturally diverse and Last September the City of Melbourne culinary creativity. partnered with the program to host a modern day Melbourne, and tap water is free. welcoming city that embraces good Check out the veggie patches at dinner at the Multicultural Hub in Elizabeth In a bid to cut down on plastic food, new ideas and social events. Melbourne Town Hall and Gordon Street. Over platters and plates people water bottles while promoting water Reserve until 28 February. Find out how chatted about the origins of their food, consumption, the City of Melbourne Hosting dinners in homes and at to recreate them at home during the shared recipes and life stories. designed and installed more than community spaces, the Welcome Dinner Grow Show Town Hall talks on Tuesdays 60 drinking fountains with refill taps Program gives new refugees and asylum Ornob Sheikh, who recently arrived and Thursdays, from 9 to 18 February, across the city, funded from VicHealth. seekers the rare opportunity to meet and in Australia, found many new friends 1pm to 2pm. Workers, residents and visitors can now easily socialise with established locals over a meal interested in new ideas and different refill their own water bottles throughout in an informal setting. cultures. ‘People made me feel happy the city and surrounding suburbs. Key sites and welcomed here. They are genuinely include the central city, , The interested to hear your story’, he said. Tan track and . ‘It’s the simplest and most humane form of Download the free smartphone app Choose connection which I was missing away from The Temperance Union Drinking Fountain, on the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria Streets Tap to find the water fountain closest to you. my home’.

Since the official launch in March 2013, more than 120 Welcome Dinners have been held in homes and spaces all around Melbourne. COMMUNITY HUB AT THE DOCK Every plate and every person is welcome. OPEN DAY ON 20 FEBRUARY Meagan Williams, Victorian coordinator of the Welcome Dinner says that it is not just A new Community Hub at The Dock has part of a partnership between the City of about refugees and asylum seekers, but brought a range of Docklands family Melbourne, Lendlease and Places Victoria, everyone who is new to the community services together for the first time. at a cost of $8.5 million. including international students. To celebrate the opening of the new ‘Often what unites international students Located on Victoria Harbour, the hub venue, Docklands families are invited to and migrants, unfortunately, is a feeling houses maternal and child health services, a community open day on 20 February. of isolation, difficulty in making Australian playgroups, family support, counselling Family-friendly activities on the day and immunisation services. Meanwhile the friends and feeling a sense of belonging’, include face painting, roving performers ground floor is home to the Docklands Yacht she said. and a sausage sizzle. Visit the website for Club, Victorian Dragon Boat Association and more information on the open day and the In 2016, City of Melbourne will work with Julie-Ann Maquirang, Sonia Juane, Ryan Maquirang, Melbourne Outrigger Canoe Club. services provided at the new space. Joining the Dots to host a picnic to take Tamara Hrabric-Krajcar, Debra Sedlarevic and advantage of our beautiful parks and Rafael Maquirang and Carlson Maquirang The design of the building echoes the scale Last year’s Grow Show outside the community hub and materials of the old industrial buildings FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT Share a meal and ideas: Ornob Sheikh gardens as a welcoming environment for of the wharves and was completed as melbourne.vic.gov.au/docklands friendship and fun.

16 READ ONLINE AT MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU MELBOURNE FEBRUARY - MARCH 17 YOUR CITY OF MELBOURNE MAGAZINE

MELBOURNE LOVE IN BRIEF YOUR COUNCIL

because it’s a broad term that covers a lot of different practices: from one-on-one The Right Honourable Deputy Lord Mayor FESTIVAL participative performances, to practices PLANNING REGISTER ONLINE Lord Mayor Robert Doyle Susan Riley that use elements from different art forms Future Melbourne (Major Projects) Future Melbourne (Marketing Melbourne) Did you know you can look up like theatre, choreography, conceptual art Committee Chair Committee Deputy Chair OF LIVE ART the status of all planning permit and sculpture. Live art also challenges the applications and decisions in the City 9658 9658 9658 9043 1 TO 13 MARCH role of the performer or the audience, or [email protected] [email protected] both. The work will somehow push against of Melbourne on our website? Our Angharad Wynne-Jones is the Artistic those theatrical or exhibition conventions. planning register also shows the plans Director of the City of Melbourne’s Arts and supporting documentation for House and a driving force behind the How did the idea for FOLA come about? applications which are currently being Cr Richard Foster Cr Ken Ong Festival of Live Art (FOLA). Proudly Many artists, both in Australia and advertised. Future Melbourne (People City) Future Melbourne (Planning) presented by Arts House, Footscray internationally, are making exciting works melbourne.vic.gov.au/ Committee Chair Committee Chair Community Arts Centre and Theatre that just didn’t fit the format of our usual planningregister 9658 9056 9658 9704 Works, this cacophony of performances, seasons. We wanted to bring these works [email protected] [email protected] happenings and spectacles, create a together so an adventurous and curious festival that lifts art to the realm of audience can experience a number of experience. works over the course of an evening, or a BUSINESS MISSION 2016 Cr Rohan Leppert Cr Beverley Pinder-Mortimer weekend. For the artists it is also a chance What is live art? The Lord Mayor will lead a delegation to build and connect with the live art Future Melbourne (Arts and Culture) Future Melbourne (Marketing Melbourne) of Melbourne-based businesses on Lots of artists, particularly experimental community, which while strong and vital Committee Chair Committee Chair trade missions to key markets in artists, describe their work as live art to creative experimentation, is a small and 9658 9051 9658 9038 China and Japan in late February. sometime isolated community. [email protected] [email protected] The mission is a platform for How was the first FOLA received in 2014? innovative Melbourne medical, clean technology and urban design Brilliantly. Over 12,000 came to Arts House Cr Kevin Louey Cr Jackie Watts over five days. For a festival that initially businesses to promote their offer to a global market. Future Melbourne (Economic Development) Future Melbourne (Knowledge City) people were saying ‘but what is Live Art?’ Committee Chair, Docklands Coordination Committee Chair we knew after three weeks, even if they still Committee Co-Chair didn’t know for sure, they were definitely 9658 8580 having fun finding out. GREEN LANEWAY PROGRAM 9658 9170 or mobile 0413 960 811 [email protected] [email protected] What excites you about FOLA in 2016? More than 800 nominations were We’ve had longer to plan and develop the received by the City of Melbourne Cr Stephen Mayne Cr Arron Wood festival this time, so alongside a ripper of a following a call to name central city Future Melbourne (Finance and Governance) Future Melbourne (Environment) program, we have been able to commission laneways in need of a green makeover. Committee Chair Committee Chair four new works in a series called ‘In Your Laneways have enormous potential to 9658 9636 or mobile 0412 106 241 9658 9630 Hands’ with some amazing artists, over a become our city’s backyards with the [email protected] [email protected] two-year process. We’re bringing in more addition of vertical gardens, tree artists from interstate and overseas, and planting and pocket parks. A shortlist because we know people are up for it, of four successful laneways will Cr Cathy Oke Postal address for all councillors we’ve been even more adventurous in the be announced in early 2016, with Future Melbourne (Transport) City of Melbourne, kind of works we are programming and construction commencing soon after. how the audience get to interact with them. Committee Chair GPO Box 1603, Melbourne VIC 3001 9658 9086 Fax for all councillors 03 9658 9613 Who does FOLA appeal to? SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT [email protected] Lots of people who came to FOLA in 2014 AWARD had not been to Arts House before. They were intrigued I think, adventurous and The City of Melbourne’s Walking curious. We make sure there’s lots to do Plan 2014–17 received a Sustainable and see, the bar’s open and music playing, Transport Award from the Institute COUNCIL MEETINGS so it’s a great social activity too. And of Transport Engineers Australia and because people are having such wild or New Zealand in November 2015. intense experiences there’s always heaps to All committee meetings are held in: Council Meeting Room, talk about too. The award recognises work that FEBRUARY encourages, promotes or provides Level 2 Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne, What should audiences keep an eye out facilities for sustainable transport. except the Docklands Coordination Committee, which is held Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 2 February 5.30pm at: Goods Shed, 710 Collins Street, Docklands, Melbourne. for this year? Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 16 February 5.30pm A key feature of FOLA 2016 is the curation All council meetings are held in: Council Chamber, (Public Council Tuesday 23 February 5.30pm of the entire North Melbourne Town Hall CLEVER CLIMATE MODEL Gallery, Level 3) Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, site over seven days with every niche and Melbourne. MARCH space offering artists’ works. Like a music The City of Melbourne has developed On occasion, council meetings are rescheduled or special Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 8 March 5.30pm festival with many stages or galleries to an innovative tool to predict the meetings of the committees and council are called. view works, audiences are invited to buy impact of extreme climate events Future Melbourne Committee Tuesday 15 March 5.30pm an Arts House Pass to curate their own in the municipality. The Integrated For upcoming council and committee meeting dates and times, Council Tuesday 22 March 5.30pm adventure by viewing works, installations, Climate Adaptation Model was a visit melbourne.vic.gov.au performances and digital adventures, in finalist at the international C40 City Changes to the meeting schedule are published at and around Arts House. Climate Leadership awards in 2015 melbourne.vic.gov.au and on the notice board at the front of and will be used to help the city the Melbourne Town Hall administration building. prepare for extreme events. Artistic Director of Arts House, FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT Angharad Wynne-Jones melbourne.vic.gov.au/artshouse

18 READ ONLINE AT MELBOURNE.VIC.GOV.AU MELBOURNE FEBRUARY - MARCH 19 LORD MAYOR’S COMMENDATIONS

MATT THOMPSON: MATTT

Sustainability is more than a buzz now makes all his bags to order, which word for designer and maker Matt means he no longer needs to carry stock Thompson. It’s woven into every fibre the way he once did when he ran stalls at of his business. Melbourne’s designer markets. Nestled amid artisans in the hive of ‘I’ve always been interested in making the Nicholas Building, Matt says that bags that last, and that’s the first rule of Melbourne is a fertile place to start a sustainability. If it lasts a lot longer, you creative business with a strong ethos don’t need to replace it,’ says Matt, who around sustainability. for nearly 15 years has made beautiful, durable and eco-friendly bags, under the ‘There are people who sell zips and moniker of mattt. fabric, can repair sewing machines. It makes it possible to do stuff because ‘Bags are one of those things that people they have access to these skills. have an emotional connection with. They Supporting these businesses and use it most days. That means people are drawing on their expertise is really nice more willing to buy a quality bag and thing to do as well,’ says Matt. look after it and repair it. That way, I’m lucky,’ says Matt. Quiet self-confidence and faith in his point of difference is the way that Matt When designing fabric patterns, Matt has built his business. He believes his draws on found objects, including old early years selling at markets have maps or scans of nostalgic 1950s maths helped to understand what customers teaching blocks. He also connects with want. local textiles designers to incorporate their styles into his creations. Nothing is wasted. ‘I started making bags when I was Designer and maker Matt Thompson studying engineering and industrial ‘I source my materials locally because I thinks up eco-friendly bags design at university. I joined a vintage can have a direct relationship with the scooter club and I needed bags to people making the fabric. It’s better Matt’s business was one of 42 recognised take away on weekends. Then I started than ordering stuff in, and it supports with a bronze Lord Mayor’s Commendation making bags for friends. It was a local industries. If you don’t support the in August 2015. mattt can be found at the hobby that grew organically, talking to industry, it won’t be there,’ he says. Nicholas Building, 37 Swanston Street customers, getting ideas,’ he says. Melbourne in room 5, level 3. Matt set up his industrial sewing machine in the city more than 10 years ago and FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT melbourne.vic.gov.au/commendations

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.

CONTACT POSTAL ADDRESS WE’RE MULTILINGUAL TOO 03 9658 9658 (7.30am to 6pm) City of Melbourne We cater for people of all backgrounds. melbourne.vic.gov.au GPO Box 1603 melbourne.vic.gov.au/contactus Melbourne VIC 3000

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