Print this page

Maurice Cococcia

Brown. That was my first impression of Melbourne after returning to live here after more than a decade away. The much maligned drought had changed my city from its signature ‘green’.

But that’s not the only change from the Melbourne I left in the early 1990’s. During that period, this city has transformed itself into a true 24/7 metropolis that now rivals other great cities of the world.

I think the best word to describe Melbourne is “accessibility”. It has always had a great sporting tradition with AFL, Australian Open Tennis, Spring Carnival and the Boxing Day Test. This has only been enhanced by ARL team Melbourne Storm and the Melbourne Victory A-League teams. But this choice and access to sport is symptomatic of all facets of life in Melbourne.

It has an amazing array of cultural, dining and entertainment options and, with Federation Square, it finally has a true meeting place for the masses. For a city of circa four million inhabitants, it feels much more like a large village than a sprawling city. This is due partly to the fact that Melbourne really is a collection of small villages, each with their own idiosyncratic characteristics, but also a result of the much enhanced road network and recent bicycle paths that connect those villages.

I have three young children and the access and choice in Melbourne is evident in their weekly routine. For them a typical week may include a trip to the zoo, a visit to the Melbourne Museum, a kids flick at ACMI at Federation Square or a day out at the Collingwood Children’s Farm including collecting their own freshly laid eggs. The richness of their childhood experience will have much to do with the great city in which they live.

So whilst we may be living with our ‘brown’ outward appearance indefinitely, Melbourne provides a plethora of experiences for fortunate Melburnians and is well poised for a bright future.