Melbourne Magazine Winter 2025

Melbourne magazine publish a print magazine four times a year to share news about City of Melbourne projects, people, places and events.

Melbourne magazine is distributed to public spaces like libraries, cafes and community hubs in December, March, June and September.

Stories from Melbourne magazine are also published digitally to this Melbourne News website, alongside many more online-only articles.

To ask a question about Melbourne magazine, or share your feedback, please email [e-mail]

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

S1 (00:05):
Melbourne Magazine, Winter 2025. Your City of Melbourne magazine. This
audio recording lasts for approximately one hour and five minutes overall.
Here's what's inside. Message from the Lord mayor. How to
grow your business in the city of Melbourne. Firelight Festival

(00:29):
features enormous inflatable art. Get to know our councillors sculptures
with Seoul in Koreatown. Our draft budget. What's in it
for you? Events calendar. New Ryder Pavilion boosts access to
community sports. First Nations artists in residence at Boyd Studios.

(00:54):
Emerging writer takes top prize. Gentle art of conversation inspires
a life of volunteering Your council, contact City of Melbourne.
Closing announcement. Message from the Lord mayor, councillor Nick Rees.

(01:17):
Curl up with this issue of Melbourne magazine and enjoy
a cheery winter of good times and great people in Melbourne.
We are lucky to have a rolling series of mid-year
festivities to lighten every heart. They include rising for June,
Firelight Festival for July and in August, a showcase of

(01:38):
bold ideas and tick snappily named Now or Never. These
events help us embrace the chill and feel happier. They
bring people together. They do good work for the economy
and keep Melbourne's unique vibe alive. For the full Winter
events calendar, head to page ten in the events article

(01:59):
later in the magazine. A beautiful way to warm up
this winter is to get active in Royal Park. Discover
the new inclusive facilities on offer at Ryder Pavilion by
jogging over to page 12. In the article, new Ryder
Pavilion boosts access to community sport. Having worked up a

(02:22):
healthy appetite there, you might be in search of a
warming winter feast. And there's no better place than the
delicious eateries of Melbourne's Koreatown. The Heelys Lane area is
now home to one of our newest and most Instagrammable landmarks.
In the article sculptures with Seoul in Koreatown. On page seven,

(02:44):
you'll find the intriguing story behind the Jangseung carved by
Master Jong Yong Kim, also creating art in Melbourne this winter.
A Stacy Edwards and Thelma Beaton, the artists in residence
at Boyd Studios. Meet them on page 14, where you
can also learn about our Creative Spaces program for artists.

(03:07):
What of the future? I'm proud to say the City
of Melbourne's draft budget 2025 to 26 is out. It
takes us back to basics with cost of living relief
and delivers a better Melbourne for everybody. Discover the budget's
main strengths on page eight in the article. Our draft

(03:28):
budget what's in it for you? Winter is a good
time for growth, both in the garden and in our
business community. If you run a business in Melbourne or
are turning your mind to starting one, check out How
to Grow your Business in the City of Melbourne for
ways to grow it. Melbourne is set to expand for

(03:49):
decades to come, meaning our city is the best long
term bet in the world. Meanwhile, my imagination is still
abuzz with the grand ideas for our city's long term future,
put forward at the M25 Safety Summit. Learn about them
online over the coming months at Melbourne Victory dot four. 2050.

(04:16):
This issue of Melbourne magazine proves why Melbourne is the
best place to be this winter. Nick Reece, Lord mayor
of the City of Melbourne, respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners
of the land we govern the Wurundjeri, Woiworung and Bunurong
Boonwurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their elders,

(04:38):
past and present. We acknowledge and honor the unbroken spiritual,
cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique
place for more than 2000 generations. We accept the invitation
in the Uluru Statement from the heart and are committed
to walking together to build a better future. How to

(05:01):
grow your business in the city of Melbourne. Melbourne is
a place where international businesses come to invest and grow.
Because of its atmosphere of innovation, endless pool of world
class talent and raft of initiatives and grants, Victoria's economy
is worth more than $500 billion and Melbourne's population is

(05:24):
seeing record growth. Creating the perfect conditions to help businesses boom.
Many of the world's leading businesses headquartered their Australian operations
in the city of Melbourne, making it a hub for
leading sectors including biotech, sports, tech, ed tech, digital gaming
and climate tech. Key drawcards include the city's infrastructure, diverse workforce, accessibility,

(05:51):
green spaces and opportunities to leverage data and technology, not
to mention its vibrant backdrop of arts, sport, dining and
entertainment support at your fingertips. The City of Melbourne's Invest
Melbourne International and Business Concierge teams are on hand to
provide tailored support to help businesses start, grow and thrive. Meanwhile,

(06:17):
our new economic development strategy will set out a plan
for a future powered by knowledge. The strategy has been
developed through extensive consultation with industry, government and community stakeholders.
We are embracing new and exciting opportunities in the post-pandemic
era to position Melbourne as the Asia-pacific's top city for innovation,

(06:41):
talent and liveability. Want to know more? Read on to
discover some of the many resources available to help support
businesses with their expansion into Melbourne. Grants and sponsorships. The
City of Melbourne offers a range of grants and sponsorships
for businesses every year. Learn more and subscribe for updates

(07:05):
at Melbourne. Invest Melbourne. Landing pad. Discover our new coworking
space in the central city for international and interstate business investors.
The landing pad includes dedicated support to assist with business inquiries.

(07:28):
Eligible investors can enjoy free hot desks for up to
four weeks while they explore market opportunities and establish their operations.
Plus free Wi-Fi printers, scanners and meeting rooms. To learn
more or register your interest, visit Melbourne. Hyphen Melbourne hyphen

(07:53):
hyphen pad. You can also follow Invest Melbourne on LinkedIn
commercial property tool. Find your ideal business space in the
city with our handy new property search tool, which provides
an information hub for businesses to use to make informed
decisions before signing a lease. The Commercial Property Lookup tool

(08:17):
is delivered in partnership with the City of Yarra and
City of Port Phillip. To learn more, visit Commercial Property
Lookup COVID-19. Making It in Melbourne podcast. Tune in to
our podcast series that features inspiring conversations with migrant entrepreneurs

(08:39):
who are transforming our city's business landscape. The conversations traverse
creative and social innovations. Artificial intelligence. mental health, and career changes.
These are the stories of people who journeyed far from
home to build something extraordinary. Listen to the series wherever

(08:59):
you get your podcasts or learn more at Melbourne's. First
podcast series Hyphen making. Hyphen it Hyphen Melbourne. Subscribe for
business news. Sign up to our dedicated business newsletter for

(09:21):
all the latest news and information about fortnightly. It features
all you need to know to run a successful business
in the city. For more information, visit Melbourne's. Firelight Festival

(09:41):
features enormous inflatable art. Enjoy free Entertainment. When Melbourne's epic
winter Festival takes over Docklands for three fiery nights from
Friday fourth to Sunday the 6th of July, featuring fire pits,
flame jets, fire sculptures and arches, dazzling fire performers, live music,

(10:04):
storytelling and roving entertainers. Every moment at Firelight Festival celebrates
fire and light. As you roam the atmospheric harbourside, you
can also feast on Melbourne's best wintery food and drink offerings,
from hot choc and s'mores to sizzling street food. One
of the highlights of this year's Firelight Festival will be

(10:27):
the Melbourne debut of two huge inflatable art installations by
Amanda Pera. Amanda started her career as a fine artist,
making large scale paintings, and later began putting giant rabbits
in Australian landscapes to shine a light on the dominance
of feral species on natural ecosystems. In 2014, she began

(10:50):
to explore the stunning style that we're going to see
at Firelight Festival. I discovered that I could use the
inflatable medium to express three dimensionally what I had created
in my two dimensional works, Amanda said. In my work,
I aim to inspire a sense of wonder, humor, and humility.

(11:10):
I really enjoyed changing people's usual spaces with thought provoking
and fun art. The two works that Amanda will exhibit
at Firelight Festival are called Man and Fantastic Planet. Man
is a contemporized version of Rodin's The Thinker, Amanda said.
Fantastic planet was inspired by a 1973 Czech French animation

(11:36):
about a man who lives in the distant future on
a faraway planet inhabited by giants. In my work, the
Giants have come down to visit and are observing us
in a benign way by wandering amongst my enormous illuminated artworks.
It is my hope that audiences will be inspired to
delve deeper into their meaning, and also will be transported

(11:59):
by the fantasy of the spectacle. Amanda is kept busy
managing the globe trotting travels of her existing works, but
she's also creating new works, including an interactive installation based
on the wonders of bioluminescence in nature. There's more to
explore in Docklands. Find waterfront restaurants and bars, exciting entertainment

(12:24):
and experiences, shopping and special deals to round out your
visit to Firelight Festival. For more information, visit firelight. Get
to know our counsellors. The City of Melbourne is the

(12:44):
local government body responsible for the Municipality of Melbourne. The
council consists of a Lord mayor, a deputy Lord mayor
and nine councillors. We'll introduce you to a few of
the members in each edition of Melbourne magazine. To read
full articles about each counsellor, search for their names at Melbourne's.

(13:10):
Deputy Lord Mayor Regina Campbell, portfolio head for planning. Deputy
portfolio head for tourism and events. Deputy Lord Mayor of
Sheena Campbell is a barrister who is committed to using
her experience listening to and fighting for people and communities
to deliver for the residents and businesses of Melbourne. The

(13:34):
number one thing I want to see is people feeling
positive about the future of Melbourne. The deputy Lord mayor
said that starts with getting the basics right. We must
be a safe and clean city, but I also want
us to focus on city excellence, whether that is having
the best sporting and cultural events, attracting new industries that

(13:55):
propel our economic growth, or being world renowned for our livability.
The city took a lot of knocks over the Covid years,
and that was incredibly hard for the people who live
and study here and for the city businesses, but we
now have this incredibly exciting opportunity. We're not trying to
bounce back. We're trying to go forward to create something

(14:17):
even better. Councillor Gladys Liu, portfolio head for community health
and city services, deputy portfolio head for safety and cleaning.
Councillor Liu is a fitness instructor and former member of
the Australian parliament. She cares about healthy aging and services

(14:39):
for women and families. It is important we have more
facilities for residents. We are working on expanding our services
in Kensington and North Melbourne because of the population growth there.
Councillor Liu said motivated by her lived experience of disability
and by the loneliness she felt as an international student,

(15:00):
she wants to build community connection and accessibility for people
of all ages. I'm passionate about bringing people together and
bringing happiness to their lives. I want people to fully
participate in city life. We want to make sure facilities
are accessible to all people. Councillor Liu said. And it's

(15:21):
not just informing people about what we do. I want
to hear what people expect. I remind people that councillors
are here to serve. We are here for you. Councillor
Mark Scott portfolio head for tourism and events, deputy portfolio
head for creative and Arts. Councillor Scott comes from a

(15:44):
30 year career in branding and marketing. Tourism is back
and is driving Melbourne's economy, he said. It's a rolling
smorgasbord of great events. How we elevate those is really
important in rejuvenating this great city. I understand the Melbourne
brand and how we'll shape the city. We want Melbourne

(16:05):
to be in the next 10 or 20 years. Councillor
Scott also co-owns an all Australian delicatessen and cheese business
at Queen Victoria market. It's an important time for small
business to have a strong voice on council because they
are really the heartbeat of the city economy, Councillor Scott said.

(16:26):
Visiting my shop, residents like to tell me about the
amenity of their neighbourhood. Joining council is a way of
amplifying residents concerns and the challenges for small business owners
right across the municipality. To learn more about these inspiring
local people, search for their names at Melbourne. Hyphen. Council.

(16:54):
Sculptures with Seoul in Koreatown, Melbourne has a new landmark
in our growing Koreatown. Sculptures carved by a master artisan
for newly carved Korean totem poles now stand at the
entrances to Koreatown, marking the official launch of our newest

(17:15):
cultural precinct. Featuring human like faces, ornate designs and calligraphy,
each sculpture was carved from wood by expert Korean artisan
master Jong Hyun Kim. The Jangseung in Melbourne's Koreatown town
will serve as guardians protecting the Koreatown precinct, Master Kim said.

(17:36):
He recently spent two weeks in Melbourne carving jungsung for Koreatown.
The initiative was funded by the Consulate General of the
Republic of Korea in Melbourne. Sponsors and donors. Master Kim
has dedicated more than 40 years to the art of jangseung,
which are traditionally placed at the entries of communities to

(17:57):
ward off evil spirits. To become a master, the artist
must understand the historical and spiritual significance of the jangseung.
They must also study sculpture and develop a keen eye
for proportions, facial expressions and the overall aesthetic of the jangseung.
Master Kim aims to bring out the unique character in

(18:20):
each piece of wood. The wood, shaped by its environment
over time, has already completed more than half of the
work on its own, Master Kim said, as a natural
material would embodies life, growth and a connection to the
natural world, aligning with the Joong sung's role as a

(18:40):
protector and spiritual guardian. I believe the Jang song will
also have a positive impact on the local community, bringing
happiness to the residents and visitors, Master Kim said. Almost
25 Korean run businesses, including restaurants, cafes and shops, are
now clustered around Heelys Lane in Melbourne's CBD. The area

(19:04):
has naturally grown into a destination for authentic Korean food
and hospitality events and festivals. I hope the Jang Song
will become a space for communication and connection between Australians
and the Korean community, fostering a sense of joy and unity, Mr.
Kim said. Koreans are among the city of Melbourne's top

(19:26):
ten multicultural communities, with more than 2500 Koreans living in
the municipality and more than 25,000 at home across Victoria.
The picture caption reads Master Kim carves Jang Sung for Melbourne.
Read the full story at Melbourne. Forward. Our draft budget.

(19:55):
What's in it for you? The City of Melbourne has
released its draft budget 2025 to 26. Here's what's in
it for you. This year's surplus budget invests in what
Melburnians care about and supports the future needs of our community.
We will get back to basics, keeping our city clean,

(20:17):
safe and welcoming for visitors and businesses. We'll invest in
a fair city, one where people are healthy, feel connected
to their communities and can get the support they need
through our neighborhood survey. More than 4400 people shared what
matters most to them, and we've used their feedback to

(20:39):
guide our decisions and deliver real outcomes. We're excited to
keep working alongside you to shape a stronger and fairer
Melbourne that we can all be proud of. Five highlights
from our draft budget. One. Easing the pressure on household budgets.
We know every dollar counts. That's why we will add

(21:02):
some breathing space to household budgets and keep more money
in ratepayers pockets at a time when they need it
the most. We'll give ratepayers a full rebate on the 3%
rate rise for 2025 to 26, saving the community more
than $10 million. We're making it easier for people to
stay active with free community fitness classes and by waiving

(21:25):
fees for exercise classes held in our public parks and gardens,
we'll help more Melburnians learn life saving water safety skills.
With 600 free swimming courses and $2 pool entry at
selected pools on weekdays, and by making pet registration free
for a year, we're supporting 12,000 local pet owners to

(21:49):
keep their furry friends safe and well cared for. Two.
Making Melbourne streets safer and brighter. The draft budget marks
the biggest investment in safety in council's history, with an
extra $4.5 million in new initiatives. This will help everyone
feel safer on our streets, support local traders and give

(22:12):
our city workers the confidence to do their jobs knowing
they're protected. We will boost our frontline safety team and
put more boots on the ground. More than 100 additional
Safe City Network CCTV cameras will be activated across the
CBD and neighbourhoods. We will also light up Melbourne with

(22:34):
a $1 million investment to activate and illuminate our laneways
after dark while upgrading street lighting. Keeping our city safe
means keeping it clean. That's why we're investing $59.8 million
in round the clock graffiti removal, improved waste services for
businesses and fewer bins cluttering our laneways. Helping the city

(22:58):
look and feel its best every day. Three. Growing the
garden city. In a busy city, green space isn't a luxury,
it's a necessity. That's why we're investing over $44 million
to deliver more open space, improve streetscapes and upgrade the
parks and gardens Melburnians love. We're fast tracking work in Southbank,

(23:23):
including the Akqa forecourt and upgrades to Southbank Boulevard and Promenade.
We're building on the success of pocket parks like Bedford
Street in North Melbourne, while progressing stage two of the
University Square redevelopment in Parkville and creating new open spaces
along Chelmsford Street in Kensington and at Normanby Road Park

(23:46):
in Southbank. We will also boost our Urban Forest Fund
and aim to plant up to 3000 new trees. Melbourne's
greener future is already taking shape for making Melbourne a
great place to visit and do business. We're strengthening our
position as the nation's business capital, providing generous grants and

(24:10):
making it easier than ever to do business in Melbourne
with Australia's biggest business concierge team. We're here to support
more local businesses across all our neighborhoods. We are also
exploring new ways to activate and elevate our unique and
diverse neighborhoods. We've just launched Melbourne's first ever Koreatown, and

(24:31):
we're beginning to work to establish a little India precinct.
We'll also explore a new seafood precinct, expand community markets,
and offer business grants for festival decorations. We also are
set to deliver another blockbuster year of major events, Firelight
Festival and Now or Never returned to heat up the

(24:53):
winter months, and we'll pursue how we can make the
winter season even hotter next year. Five building spaces to
bring our community together. We're building new neighbourhood facilities and
public spaces to help our community feel proud, connected and supported.

(25:14):
This year we'll start construction on a larger, modern library
at the Boyd Community Hub in Southbank and begin transforming
Southbank's northern undercroft into a vibrant new park. We're also
redeveloping the North Melbourne Community Centre to deliver a new
neighbourhood hub for locals. Our major city shaping projects are

(25:38):
progressing too, with the first stage of the Green Line
project at Birrarung Marr nearing completion and renewal works continuing
at our beloved Queen Victoria market. This builds on the
success of new public spaces like Nam Nag, a library
and family services centre in the Queen Victoria market precinct,

(25:59):
and the soon to open Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre.
Read more about our budget. Melbourne, Vic. Have your say.
You know what matters most. That's why we're inviting you
to have your say and help shape a budget that

(26:21):
meets our community's needs. Have your say before 5 p.m.
on Monday, the 2nd of June. Events. Calendar. What's on
only in the city. Event dates and details may change.
For updates, visit at What's on Melbourne or What's On.

(26:47):
June to August Arts House this winter Arts House presents
a powerful and significant new work of dance, an innovative
and resonant evening of music and an art party 20
years in the making. Browse the program at Arts House.com from.

(27:07):
The 4th to the 15th of June. Rising. Be part
of a festival of new art, music and performance that
spills out into city streets and iconic venues. It's a
chance to connect with each other and ambitious artists with
bold ideas. The 8th of June Taste of Portugal savour

(27:29):
a Portuguese custard tart made before your eyes. Shop for
colourful ceramics and Timorese ties. Scarves. Dance to Brazilian samba
and see live performances from across Portuguese speaking communities. This
free cultural festival is held at Queen Victoria Market. The

(27:50):
22nd of June African Festival, Melbourne. Step into a world
of colour, rhythm and flavour at Queen Victoria market. Expect
delicious food, live music, dynamic dance, talented artisans at work,
handcrafted goods and interactive workshops that celebrate Africa's rich traditions.

(28:14):
The 4th to the 6th of July Firelight Festival, Melbourne's
epic winter festival, returns to Docklands for three fiery nights
of fun for the whole family, with free entertainment, dazzling
fire performers and sizzling street food. The 6th to the
13th of July Nay Doc Week. Learn about First Nations

(28:37):
cultures and histories and join a celebration of the oldest
continuous living cultures on Earth. This year's theme is The
Next Generation strength, vision, and legacy. The City of Melbourne
is proud to support activities across the week. Learn more
at Melbourne. Festival. Week. The 7th to the 18th of July.

(29:05):
School holidays at Artplay and signal. Come and get creative.
We have two weeks of incredible arts programs designed by
kids for kids at Artplay, alongside interactive craft and performance
workshops for young people. Learn more at. Melbourne. And melbourne.gov for.

(29:34):
The 13th July run Melbourne join Melbourne's favourite city run
race along closed roads and past iconic landmarks. Finishing at
Melbourne Park for a day full of good vibes, personal
achievements and loads of fun. The 12th to the 13th
of July Bastille Day French festival rendezvous at Queen Victoria,

(29:59):
market sheds C and D for a celebration of all
things French and Francophone. It's the 10th anniversary of this
beloved festival. The 26th to the 27th of July. Open
House Melbourne. Get behind the scenes access to 200 buildings,
places and spaces. Uncover the stories of our city. Marvel

(30:24):
at great design and take part in conversations with architects,
building custodians and community organisations about the future of Melbourne.
The 6th of June to the 5th of October. Winter
masterpieces at NGV. Immerse yourself in a major exhibition of

(30:44):
French Impressionism developed by Boston's Museum of Fine Arts in
partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria. This event features
paintings by many legendary artists including Monet, Renoir and Degas.
The 1st to the 10th of August. The artistry Experience

(31:05):
a festival celebrating creativity, innovation and culture. Look out for
food crawls, music, experiences and cultural activations across the city,
culminating in the artistry live a vibrant festival stage at
Queen Victoria market from the 9th to the 10th of August.

(31:26):
The 8th to the 10th of August. Pickle palooza celebrate
all things pickle ball with clinics, competitions, live entertainment, food
and activities for all ages. Whether you're a seasoned player
or just curious, this festival is your chance to experience
the fastest growing sport in the world. The 14th to

(31:49):
the 24th of August Indian Film Festival of Melbourne attend
film screenings, live performances and industry talks. Now in its
16th year, this festival stands as the largest annual celebration
of Indian cinema outside India, bringing together filmmakers, stars and

(32:10):
audiences to celebrate the vibrant diversity of Indian storytelling. The
21st to the 31st of August. Now or never, Melbourne's
Festival of New Dimensions will return with a city wide
programme featuring immersive installations, boundary pushing music, bold media art

(32:32):
and mind expanding discussions. For more information, visit Watsons. Community
corner Carlton local lunch club. Enjoy a delicious free lunch,
play board games, hear live music, listen to short talks

(32:55):
from local community groups and get tech support monthly at
Kathleen Syme Library CBD Library Cinema at namogoo. Watch contemporary,
classic and documentary films on the big screen and stay
for snacks and a chat afterwards. Find out which movies

(33:18):
are playing and when at what's on Melbourne, East Melbourne,
Fitzroy Gardens Outdoor Adventure entertain the kids in the heritage
listed Fitzroy Gardens. Starting off at the visitor centre, kids
will collect their map and then head off on their
hunt to answer 12 questions around the gardens. North Melbourne four,

(33:42):
five six club join this fortnightly club for 4 to
6 year olds for an epic after school adventure packed
with stories, craft and games. Unleash your creativity, make new
friends and dive into a world of fun at North
Melbourne Library. New rider pavilion boosts access to community sports.

(34:08):
Head to Royal Park to check out the new Rider
Pavilion now. Bigger, better and more accessible. This project furthers
the City of Melbourne's commitment to increase and upgrade inclusive
spaces for women and girls in our sports facilities. Before
their redevelopment, Royal Parks, Ryder, Brens and Western Pavilions hosted

(34:31):
375 community teams per week, including 90 women's teams playing
sports like AFL, lacrosse, rugby and cricket. The new pavilions
will help meet growing demand, make community sport welcoming to all,
and support community teams to flourish into the future. The

(34:52):
redevelopment of Rider Pavilion has delivered six gender neutral, accessible
change rooms, including toilet and shower facilities. Two umpire change rooms.
First aid room. Modern interior with brand new fixtures, fittings
and finishes. Improvements to the kitchen and social spaces. Landscaping

(35:15):
upgrades for a refreshed outdoor space. The redevelopment of Ryder
Pavilion has been supported by the Victorian Government. Environmental sustainability.
The design of the three pavilions is environmentally sustainable and
aligns with our target of zero net emissions by 2040.

(35:36):
The three buildings reduce energy costs and minimise greenhouse gas
emissions through building envelope efficiency, double glazing and enhanced insulation levels.
Rainwater collection to use for toilet flushing. Solar panels for
electricity generation An all electric design with no gas connection.

(35:58):
Hot water provided by electric heat pump technology. Energy efficient
LED lighting. Water efficient features. Explore more. Parkville. Pavilions. Ryder
Pavilion is the last of three pavilions in Royal Park
that we've developed to provide the community with modern, accessible

(36:20):
and inclusive sports facilities. The new pavilion, completed in 2023,
features eight gender neutral, accessible change rooms to umpire change rooms,
a first aid room and improvements to the kitchen and
social spaces. The new Western Pavilion, completed in 2022, features

(36:41):
a new social room and kitchen, four new gender neutral
change facilities, two umpire rooms, increased equipment and storage rooms,
ambulant toilet cubicles an accessible unisex toilet cubicle with accessible
shower and baby change facilities. We'd like to extend a
big thank you to the many local sports clubs who

(37:03):
use the pavilions at Royal Park for their patience throughout
these works. Meet the players. 29 women's teams play at
Royal Park, with Ryder Pavilion hosting the West Brunswick Amateur
Football Club, Youlden, Parkville Cricket club, Brunswick Mudlarks and Brunswick
Junior Football Club and the Brunswick Zebras Football Club. This year,

(37:28):
the City of Melbourne awarded a connected Neighbourhood small grant
to the West Brunswick Amateur Football Club. The club is
using the funds to expand its Westie day care program
at Ryder Pavilion, which offers a safe space for parents
to leave their children while they are on the field.
Club member Nikita Wolf said the program had been enormously

(37:51):
valuable for the community, making it easier for parents to
have much needed time for self-care and well-being. We have
a single parent who was ready to hang up the
boots before she was ready, due to difficulties in managing
logistics for her two daughters during footy commitments. She's now
able to continue playing. Nikita said two other players who

(38:15):
met through footy and always had it as a shared
experience recently had a bub and they were having to
make decisions about who gets to play and train. The
daycare program allows couples to maintain structured exercise without having
to divide and conquer. We're obviously biased, but the West
Brunswick Amateur Football Club community is a really special one,

(38:38):
and we see its value for promoting healthy lifestyles and
social inclusion. Get involved in community sport. Move it your
way in your neighborhood with access to affordable, top notch
gyms and pools with accessible facilities, group fitness classes, club sports,

(38:59):
tranquil tracks for walking and cycling, welcoming skateparks and more.
Search our active Melbourne directory to find team sports galore
across the municipality, including basketball, cricket, touch football and volleyball.
You can try your hand at martial arts, ultimate frisbee

(39:21):
and dragon boating. Did you know there are even regular
live action role play sessions in the city of Melbourne
with Swordcraft battles? It's all in good fun, of course.
To browse all sorts of opportunities for sport and recreation
near you, visit Melbourne. For more information, visit Melbourne's. Royal

(39:53):
Hyphen Park. Fitting out Kensington's new recreation centre. We're putting
the final touches on the New Kensington Community Aquatic and
Recreation Centre, located in J.J. Holland Park, before it opens.
Building works have been completed and the fitout continues to

(40:15):
equip the top notch facility with everything the community needs
to work out, play team sports, swim and connect with neighbours.
Key features of Kensington Community Aquatic and Recreation Centre include.
25 metre indoor pool with eight lanes. Learn to swim
pool to help build essential swimming skills. Children's water play

(40:38):
area with spouts and fountains. Improved gym facilities with modern
equipment and 24 hour access, accessible change rooms and a
Changing Places facility funded by the Victorian Government. Three full
sized multi-purpose courts. Health and wellness areas for an array

(40:59):
of group fitness classes. Community meeting room café open seven
days a week. This Kensington community hub has long been
beloved by local people, and the updates we've made have
been shaped by community feedback. We look forward to announcing
the opening date soon. To stay up to date with

(41:20):
the project, visit Melbourne. Community. Hyphen. Aquatic. Hyphen and hyphen recreation.
Hyphen centre. Hyphen. Redevelopment. The picture captions read the new
Rider Pavilion in Royal Park, Parkville. a sausage sizzle at

(41:45):
Ryder Pavilion. The new solar powered kitchen at Ryder Pavilion.
Pre-game briefing at Ryder Pavilion and a footy player gets
medical support in the new Ryder Pavilion. First Nations artists
in residence at Boyd Studios. Stacy Edwards and Thelma Beaton

(42:09):
are delving into themes of identity, heritage and healing as
artists in residence at Boyd Studios in Southbank. Creative spaces
is a City of Melbourne program, providing affordable work and
exhibition space to more than 150 artists across seven venues,
including Boyd Studios. Our Creative Spaces program also partners with

(42:34):
government and the private sector to identify, secure, develop and
manage space across the Was the municipality for creative use.
Like many of the artists who call our creative spaces home,
Stacy and Thelma share a passion for storytelling, preserving cultural heritage,
and stoking important community conversations. Reclaiming culture Through Art Stacy

(43:01):
Edwards art is a deeply personal exploration of identity and healing.
Her connection to the Taungurung and Boonwurrung peoples stretches back
six generations. But as a grandchild of the Stolen Generations,
much of her cultural heritage was lost along the way.
Growing up, I didn't have the cultural connections I wanted,

(43:23):
Stacy said. My grandfather and his siblings were removed under
the Aboriginal Protection Board. So traditional language and customs weren't
passed down to me. It's been a long process of
trying to reconnect with my roots. Stacey's breakthrough came when
she met an elder while working at the Koorie Heritage Trust.

(43:45):
It was like a light bulb went on, Stacey said.
I realised my art didn't have to follow the traditional
dot painting style. It could be something more personal to me,
something tied to my own history and culture. This realization
led Stacey to the diamond patterns that now feature prominently
in her work. Inspired by traditional shields and artefacts from

(44:09):
southeastern Australia. Finding the diamond patterns felt like coming home.
It was a healing process. Instead of focusing on the
trauma and loss from the past, I was able to
embrace my culture in a new way, she said. Stacey's
creative process is organic and intuitive. I usually start with

(44:30):
a colour. It's all about how I'm feeling in that moment.
From there, the diamonds take shape and the piece starts
to come alive. It's all very instinctive, she said. Stacey's
use of bold, bright colours and strong geometric patterns reflects
her family and her connection to her country. My family
is bold and vibrant and that comes out in my work.

(44:53):
I feel like I'm capturing that energy as well as
the healing power of reconnecting with my culture, she said.
Stacey's art isn't just about personal healing, it's also about
addressing the larger issues facing First Nations people today. I
use my work to highlight the ongoing struggles for indigenous
rights and the challenges that indigenous women face, particularly in

(45:18):
the justice system. Art is a powerful way to start
conversations about these issues, she said. During her time at
Boyd Studios, Stacey is excited to focus more on the
professional side of her art. This residency gives me the
time and space to take my practice more seriously. I'm

(45:38):
hoping to explore new mediums like lino printing and really
dive deeper into my work, she said. Looking to the future,
Stacy sees her art evolving even further. I imagine my
work eventually moving into the digital world through prints and licensing.
I'm excited to see where this journey takes me, she said.

(46:02):
Bringing the spirit of the Tasmanian emu for Thelma Beeton,
her connection to her totem, the Tasmanian emu, is at
the core of her art. Her family history is deeply
tied to Cape Barren Island and the Palawa people, and
the Tasmanian emu has become a symbol of her heritage,

(46:23):
guiding her artistic practice. The Tasmanian emu is like a
spirit guide to me. It's what gives my art focus
and purpose. This. Almost everything I paint revolves around the
emu and it helps me stay grounded in my work.
Thelma said Thelma's journey as an artist started early growing

(46:44):
up in Swan Hill, Victoria. She was introduced to art
through school competitions and cultural activities. My first painting was
when I was nine for an Aboriginal art competition. It
was a picture of a river, trees, a kangaroo and
an emu. That painting ended up being exhibited in the
Melbourne Museum and it's still there today. She said Thelma

(47:08):
started her career as a street artist, and her work
has evolved to include bold, primary coloured backgrounds and depictions
of emus. The graffiti influence is still there, though. I
use a lot of bright, multi-coloured backgrounds and cartoonish styles
in my paintings. It's part of who I am as
an artist, she said. Recently, Thelma has started incorporating landscapes

(47:32):
into her work, drawing inspiration from her memories of family outings.
I like to paint what I know. For example, I've
started painting beach landscapes because they remind me of trips
I took with my aunty. It's all very personal, she said.
Thelma's art also serves as a way to teach others
about her culture and heritage. I hope that by visiting

(47:56):
my exhibitions, people will learn about the Tasmanian emu and
Palawa culture, she said. I want to show them that
there's so much more to learn about our history and traditions.
One particularly powerful moment in Thelma's career was her participation
in the Dark Mofo festival in Tasmania. During the festival,

(48:17):
an emu egg was found on the beach, something that
hadn't happened in 200 years, Thelma said. People said that
because I paint the Tasmanian emu, I'd brought its spirit back.
It was a really emotional experience and it was on
the news. People were crying. It was incredible. At Boyd's Studios,

(48:37):
Thelma is focused on creating as much work as possible
for her upcoming exhibitions. I've got an exhibition at Fitzroy
Library that runs into July and another one at seventh
Gallery in September, she said. I'm also excited to experiment
with new materials like clay and plaster. My dream is

(48:57):
to create a giant emu sculpture one day. $1 million emu.
This article was originally written by Eduardo Sorrentino for Creative Spaces.
To read more stories about artists, visit Creative Spaces. For
more information, visit. Apply for First Nations arts funding. We've

(49:31):
been providing dedicated funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
artists for 25 years. Recipients have included Muddy Muddy, singer
songwriter Kutcha Edwards, Wiradjuri dancer and choreographer Joel Bray, and
Wurundjeri contemporary artist Georgie Maguire. The City of Melbourne is
also providing multi-year arts funding to several Aboriginal organisations, including

(49:57):
Theatre Company, the Koorie Heritage Trust and The Torch. Applications
for our next round of Aboriginal Arts grants open on
the 1st of August. To learn more, visit Melbourne. For. Arts.
Hyphen grants. The picture caption reads ill Fitted Young by

(50:22):
Jorja Maguire is one of a series of sculptural Dresses
made from paper, bark and plaster bandage. Emerging writer takes
top prize. Meet emerging writer Chris Ames, who took the
top prize in our Lord Mayor's Creative Writing Awards. Up

(50:43):
and coming writer Chris Ames gets his stories down in
stolen moments between meetings on his lunch break, while his
toddler naps, even on the treadmill at the gym. I
write in email drafts, notes on my phone, in Google Docs,
anything in the cloud that I can pull up and
work on when I have a spare five minutes, Chris said.

(51:05):
Emerging writers are a group of people who are pursuing
their craft while juggling jobs and children and extreme self-doubt.
So when Chris recently won the Lord Mayor's Prize and
the Short Story Prize in the Lord Mayor's Creative Writing Awards,
he took it as a sign that the hustle was
worth it. That it's a rare thing to find awards

(51:25):
like these which invest in emerging writers. Chris said when
you're making something, especially in the beginning, you're fundamentally alone
with your idea. Awards. Like the Lord Mayor's Creative Writing
Awards say you're not alone, which means the world when
you're not sure if you should keep going. His winning
short story, That Is Not a Cat was described by

(51:49):
the judges as a skillful representation of our digital reality,
and how it connects with obstructs enhances our humanity. It
will stay with the reader long after it's finished. Intriguing, refreshing, lively,
as humorous as it is achingly lonely. The judges said

(52:09):
Melbourne's strong literary culture is partly why this Californian chose
to start a new life here five years ago, with
his South Australian wife. Melbourne is a city of literature.
It's a place that celebrates all kind of storytellers, Chris said.
As the second ever city to be designated a Unesco
City of Literature, Melbourne is internationally recognized for its vast

(52:33):
literary heritage and culture. It's hard to not be inspired
by other writers the architecture of the city itself, Chris said.
I think the way Melbourne celebrates its writers and storytellers
was a huge reason why I wanted to call this
place home. That is Not a Cat is included in
a short story collection that recently won the prize for

(52:56):
an unpublished manuscript in the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2025.
Congratulations to all the category winners in the Lord Mayor's
Creative Writing Awards 2024. For more information, visit Melbourne. For
writing awards. The picture captions read. Award winning writer Chris

(53:23):
Ames with his wife Clara and Chris Browsers at Paperback
Bookshop on Bourke Street. Gentle art of conversation inspires a
life of volunteering. Get to know a shy international student
who found his voice through English conversation classes at the

(53:44):
Multicultural Hub. Now he runs the class. It was an
act of bravery for international student Hao Mingfang to step
into his first English conversation class. Hao had already struggled
through his first year of an arts degree at the
University of Melbourne. Feeling too shy to talk with his
classmates or approach his tutors. I felt a sense of isolation.

(54:09):
I'm not that confident with my English skills, Hao said.
Something needed to change. After his end of year exams,
How mustered the courage to join a free English conversation
class at the multicultural Hub near the Queen Victoria market?
What happened next would inspire. How to become a volunteer

(54:30):
and build a rich life in Melbourne. I was a
bit scared before my first time joining the English class.
How said. My concerns soon vanished when the volunteer host
and other students welcomed and comforted me. This made me
very relaxed and gradually I felt more confident if I
made a mistake. They gently pointed it out. Unlike at school,

(54:53):
where a teacher might correct me in a harsh way.
Inspired by the gentle ways of the volunteer hosts and
his fellow classmates, Hal returned to the multicultural hub every week. Suddenly,
I'm learning it's okay to make mistakes. I'm learning how
to speak English, and it's not as hard and scary
as I thought. Hao said his conversation skills grew as

(55:17):
fast as his confidence. I think it's the chance I
had to practice English in these classes that made me
realize maybe I can do something as a volunteer, Haar said. Soon,
Halle was running his own weekly conversation classes at the
Multicultural Hub. I interact with lots of people from different backgrounds.

(55:38):
I've become more confident from volunteering, especially talking with many people,
he said. I find it to be very meaningful. It
gives me a sense of purpose. After more than a year,
Howe is still careful to create the same gentle conditions
in the classroom that helped him overcome his shyness. We

(55:58):
tried to make it as casual as possible, talking about
something relevant to their culture and daily life, Howe said.
I also gain wisdom by learning from the older people
who come to my class to learn English as retirees.
It's a valuable lesson to keep learning, no matter how
old you are, just keep learning. For more information, visit Melbourne's.

(56:23):
Multicultural hub. The picture captions read how mingfeng outside the
multicultural hub and how with some of his class members.
Your council Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, portfolio head for infrastructure,

(56:45):
deputy portfolio head for finance, Governance and Risk and Aboriginal Melbourne.
Phone [phone] email. N I c o r e e
e at Melbourne. Deputy Lord Mayor Rosina Campbell, portfolio head

(57:11):
for planning, deputy portfolio head for tourism and events. Phone [phone]. Email.
R o h e a dot b e at Melbourne dot.

(57:32):
Councillor Olivia Ball, portfolio head for Aboriginal Melbourne. Deputy portfolio
head for environment. Phone [phone]. Email o v dot b
at Melbourne Dot. Councillor Rafael Camillo, portfolio head for safety

(58:00):
and cleaning. Deputy portfolio head for infrastructure. Phone [phone]. Email
Male r f a e. I o. At Melbourne government.

(58:20):
Councillor David Griffiths, portfolio head for environment. Deputy portfolio. Head
for community and city services. Phone [phone]. Email. D a
v y d d dot g I f f I

(58:41):
t at Melbourne dot. Councillor Owen Guest, portfolio head for finance,
Governance and Risk. Deputy portfolio head for Education and Innovation.
Phone [phone]. Email o w e dot g e t

(59:07):
at Melbourne, melbourne.gov dot. Councillor Philip Lilu, portfolio head for
creative and arts, deputy Portfolio head for planning, phone [phone].
Email p I p dot l I u at Melbourne dot.

(59:36):
Councillor Gladys Lu, portfolio head for community health and city services,
deputy portfolio head for safety and cleaning, phone [phone] email
g a d s dot l I u at Melbourne dot.

(01:00:01):
Councillor Kevin Louis, portfolio head for city, economy and business.
Phone [phone]. Email k I l u e y at Melbourne,
Vic dot o councillor Andrew Rouse, portfolio head for innovation

(01:00:26):
and education, deputy portfolio head for city economy and business,
phone [phone]. Email a d r e w dot r
o w at Melbourne dot. Councillor Mark Scott, portfolio head

(01:00:50):
for tourism and events, deputy portfolio head for Creative and Arts,
phone [phone]. Email m a r k dot s. t
at Melbourne's. Postal address for all councillors. City of Melbourne

(01:01:15):
GPO box one 603 Melbourne, Victoria 3001. Contact. City of Melbourne.
Melbourne Vic Govt oh four. Contact us. Phone [phone]. National

(01:01:38):
Relay Service. Teletypewriter tty users phone 13367. Then ask for 03 9658 9658.
Speak and listen. Users. Phone [phone]. Then ask for 58.

(01:02:04):
In person. Melbourne Town Hall administration building. 120 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
Business hours Monday to Friday. Postal address. City of Melbourne
GPO box one 603 Melbourne, Victoria 3000. Feedback. To provide feedback,

(01:02:24):
contact the City of Melbourne or email Melbourne Mag at Melbourne, Vic.
Online version. Read and subscribe to Melbourne News at news.
Audio version. To hear an audio version of Melbourne magazine.

(01:02:48):
Visit the Melbourne Library service on SoundCloud or contact Vision
Australia on print access at Vision Australia or 29343524. Council meetings.
View all meeting dates at Melbourne, Victoria for about Council.

(01:03:16):
Disclaimer information and events in this publication are current at
the time of printing. Subsequent changes may occur. City of
Melbourne does not guarantee that this publication is without flaw
or wholly appropriate for your purposes. It and its employees
expressly disclaim any liability for any loss or damage, whether

(01:03:39):
direct or consequential, suffered by any person, as the result of,
or arising from reliance on any information contained in the publication. Copyright.
All applicable copyrights reserved for City of Melbourne, except for
any uses permitted under the Copyright Act Act 1968. Commonwealth.

(01:04:00):
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any
manner or in any medium, whether electronic or otherwise, without
the express permission of City of Melbourne. This production has
been made possible by the City of Melbourne in the
interests of information accessibility. This audio version has been produced

(01:04:22):
by Vision Australia website. Care has been taken in the
recording of this publication. But Vision Australia does not accept
responsibility for the results of specific action taken on the
basis of this recording, nor for any error or omission.

(01:04:43):
This recording is copyright. No unauthorized copying, broadcasting or public
performance is permitted. Your narrator was Jenny Seedsman. This concludes
the recording.