Past Programs

Hanging Local was a program initiated and developed by Western Melbourne Tourism in partnership with the Get Lost Travel Group and Victoria University. Launched in 2019, the program provided the opportunity for international students to uncover the tourism hotspots of Melbourne’s West.   

The program was designed in series of ‘experience modules’ at different destinations including the Organ Pipes National Park, local beaches, Williamstown Botanic Garden, the Dingo Discovery and Research Centre, Footscray Market and Werribee Open Range Zoo. It incorporated a mix of immersive experiences including nature walks, conservation tours, photography workshops as well as evening events, and food and bar hops alongside fellow local students. Students were also given the opportunity to learn Aussie Rules at the VU Whitten Oval with the AFL’s Western Bulldogs.  

It was a fantastic opportunity for students to get out and about in groups, exploring their local neighbourhoods, making new friends, and feeling more at home in Melbourne’s West. In turn, this helped generate further travel,  as students became ambassadors for the region, hosting other visiting friends and family. 

The Hanging Local program was made possible with the support of a Victorian Government’s International Student Welfare Program funding grant through Study Melbourne.  

Watch a video about the program: https://youtu.be/NcXfFrdyWyM 

Below are a selection of Hanging Local Experiences that were offered across Melbourne’s West as part of the program:  

Unfortunately this program was not fully delivered and interrupted by the Covid 19 pandemic from early 2020.  

In response to the Covid 19 pandemic the Hanging Local program was adapted with an alternate version of the program known as Hanging Local Virtual.   

Hanging Local moved online and students were given the opportunity to show off their cooking skills in Chef versus Student.       

In the series students cooked alongside renowned chefs from some of the best restaurants in Melbourne’s West, competing alongside fellow students.  The program was a huge success with each episode booked out!   

Unique national cuisines (Indian, Greek, and Japan/Korean), were featured across three episodes, taking students on a culinary journey around the world.  Hosted by renowned comedians Alex Ward, Angus Brown and Lauren Bok, friends and family of the students all participated live as well.  

Students registered and participated in one of three ways: 

• Competing & Cooking: Being in the spotlight by cooking on screen with the host chef and competing with two/three other students. 
• Cooking & Learning: With instructions and ingredients supplied students cooked as an audience member at home. (The first thirty students to register received free ingredient packs delivered at home)   
• Audience member: Other students just joined us for the laughs and watched live on the day as student peers cooked along. Everyone watching was able to vote/like a favourite chef and the photos of the best dish competition submitted (featured on the VU Sstudent Life Facebook).   Some great prizes were won.  

Event details  
Episode One: Taste of India 
Host Chef: Sumit Malthotra – Aangan Indian Restaurant, West Footscray  
Signature Dish: Indian Chicken curry  
Host / Compare: Lauren Bok  

Event details  
Episode Two: Journey to Greece
Host Chef: Alec Xinis – Almost Like Yiayias, West Melbourne  
Signature Dish: Marinated calamari with fava and a brown butter and caper sauce. 
Host / Compare: Angus Brown

Event details  
Episode Three: Off to Eastern Asia
Host Chef: Jack Lee – Bean Smuggler, West Melbourne  
Signature Dish: Spiced Duck Breast with Miso Couscous, Grilled Cos Lettuce and Gochujang Dressing.
Host / Compare: Alex Ward

A further version of the Hanging Local program (adapted because of the pandemic) was Hanging Local Scavenger. This program was designed to facilitate further opportunities for international students to hang out in Melbourne’s West.  

Hanging Local’s interactive scavenger hunts explored some of the best-known landmarks, restaurants and hidden gems in Melbourne’s West.  Students working in teams or groups of friends solved puzzles, nutted out local trivia and took photos at the photo checkpoints to unlock prizes (including a free lunch!). The goal of these events was all about having fun, meeting new friends and finding great new local spots outdoors in a very Covid- friendly way. 

Three scavenger events were designed and planned: Footscray, Sunshine and Werribee. Unfortunately, with the challenges of Covid only one event at Footscray was able to proceed.