A selection of videos of Melbourne’s west
Destination Highlights
Footscray Arts: Our Program and Communities
Footscray Community Arts is a unique place of learning and sharing where the dynamic between community, culture and contemporary art is explored and celebrated. Our annual program is developed in collaboration with artists and communities, and includes festivals, exhibitions, performances, films and workshops.
For more information visit: https://www.footscrayarts.com Socials:@footscrayarts
Hobsons Bay Wetlands Centre
At the end of the Altona esplanade lies a natural wonder, an internationally recognised wetland which plays hosts to thousands of migratory shorebirds each year. Building the Hobsons Bay wetlands centre on the doorstep of the Cheetham wetlands, is now an advocacy priority of Hobsons Bay City Council to the State and Federal Governments. The vision is for visitors to connect with nature and learn more about these precious eco-systems which are disappearing three times faster than forests. Video written, directed and shot by Wain Fimeri. Edited by Trade Creative.
For more information visit: https://hobsonsbaywetlandscentre.org.au/ Socials: @hbaywetlandcentre
Mamma Knows West visits Werribee City Centre
The team at Mamma Knows West has a day out in Werribee City Centre, checking out all the best places to eat, drink, play, shop and sleep!
For more information visit: https://www.mammaknowswest.com.au Socials: @mammaknowswest
Experience Brimbank: Top Places to Visit in Brimbank
Discover the heart of the Brimbank with its local national parks, festivals, cultural events, food, art, culture and more. Whether it’s a leisurely stroll, visiting a local park or catching an art exhibition, there’s no better time to get out and about. Not sure where to start? Then check out the Brimbank visitor map for a range of experiences: https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/business-and-tourism/experience-brimbank
Melton Town Centre
Showcasing where to eat, drink, play, shop and pamper yourself in Melton Town Centre in 2023!
For more information visit: https://www.melton.vic.gov.au/meltontowncentre
Newport Has Heart
Showcasing businesses in Newport. In 2022 Hobsons Bay City Council visited businesses from Newport to cast a spotlight on local traders and celebrate the community support that has helped them through the pandemic.
Altona Has Heart
Showcasing businesses in Altona. In 2022 Hobsons Bay City Council visited businesses from Altona to cast a spotlight on local traders and celebrate the community support that has helped them through the pandemic.
Williamstown Has Heart
Showcasing businesses in Williamstown. In 2022 Hobsons Bay City Council visited businesses from Newport to cast a spotlight on local traders and celebrate the community support that has helped them through the pandemic.
Experience Brimbank – St Albans Town Centre
Explore the hidden gem that is St Albans Town Centre! St Albans will have you tasting flavours from around the world without the need of a boarding ticket. From Big Sam St Albans Markets, Dil Dosti, Pacific Mix/Monte Coffee Cafe, Pho Ngon to the St Albans Community Centre and Bowery Theatre – get a taste of a variety of authentic, fresh produce and a splash of arts and culture within a 5 minute stroll of each other. Located in the heart of St Albans Town Centre.
For more information visit: @stalbanstowncentre on Instagram and the Arts and Culture program at: https://www.creativebrimbank.com.au
Eat and Drink
Chef Out West Series Trailer
The importance of food as a universal expression of culture and community is explored in a beautifully bold web series called Chef Out West produced by Maribyrnong City Council, and screened on SBS on Demand in 2021. The series explores the culinary journey of seven chefs from the inner west who share their gift to connect cultures and build social harmony. Mirroring the diversity of the inner west, the nationalities of the featured chefs include: Filipino, French, Ethiopian, Italian, Chinese and Vietnamese. All share their unique stories of arrival in Melbourne’s west and their enduring passion for the local community that they serve.
For more information visit: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Chef-Out-West
Chef Out West, Cafe Terroni
Come for the Tiramisu and leave with a sense of community! That’s the recipe for success for Joe and Angela owners of Café Terroni, a Southern Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of the Yarraville Village. Café Terroni has been bringing a taste of Italy to the inner west for the past 16 years. They love the buzz of the village and their regulars “the extended family” who have been coming back for years. Part Maribyrnong City Councils Chef Out West series, aired on SBS on Demand.
For more information visit about the series visit: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Chef-Out-West
Cafe Terroni website: https://www.cafeterroni.com.au and social media: @cafeterroni.
Chef Out West, Chi Bao
From dentistry to dumplings, it’s been quite a ride for Cindy Liang owner of Chi Bao, located in the heart of Yarraville Village. It has been a soul enriching choice for Cindy as she gets to build a small business with her mother Sally Tao, who acts as head Chef. Together they bring the history and art of Chinese food to their beloved Yarraville community.
For more information visit about the series visit: https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Chef-Out-West
Chi Bao website: https://www.chibao.com.au and social media: @chibaodumplings.
Chef out West, Konjo Cafe
In 2004, the husband and wife team Abdul Hussen and Rozenn Blouin opened Konjo craft shop as a cultural showcase for Abdul’s African roots. Abdul was frequently sought out by the Ethiopian community for his discerning palate, so the couple decided to extend their business to add an Ethiopian cafe in 2013. Part Maribyrnong City Councils Chef Out West series, aired on SBS on Demand.
For more information visit: https://www.konjo.com.au Instagram: @konjocafe/ and Facebook: @konjoethiopianrestaurant/
Chef out West, Charlie’s Pizza
The generation that ducked into Charlie’s Pizza after school to pick up a slice and a coke for $1, will tell you the offering is just as good today as it was when the pizzeria first opened back in 1974. Charlie’s Pizza serves up delicious pizza with a touch of nostalgia. As Charlie would say – Pizza Shop, you’ve got to have it in your blood, in your heart. He still works seven days a week as he has since starting Charlie’s aged 22. Part Maribyrnong City Councils Chef Out West series, aired on SBS on Demand.
Drop into Charlie’s Pizza at 131 Droop St, Footscray.
Shadowfax Winery, Werribee Park
Shadowfax Winery interview with Chief Winemaker Alister Timms. A boutique winery in the heart of Werribee Park.
For more information visit: https://www.shadowfax.com.au Socials: @shadowfaxwines
Oye Bombay, Altona
Oye Bombay is a local institution in Altona. For owner and head chef Sarin, creating authentic Indian cuisine is a labour of love. Sarin brings integrity for his craft to the kitchen every day and works off an uncompromising method of creating genuine, hearty meals thoroughly, cutting no corners on time or produce. The end result is a visceral sensory experience – authentic Indian food, made with love.
Socials:@oyebombay Credit: Liam Moss.
Pad Thai – Melton Town Centre
Meet Pat, ready to reignite your senses and feed your soul with food made with love and traditional Bangkok inspired flavours. More than just a great place to eat, they are also here to help with cooking classes, travel ideas and much more.
For more information visit: https://www.padthaimelton.com.au
Latin Foods and Wines, Melton Town Centre
Meet Maria and Marco, keeping their customers entertained and well fed with mind-blowing infusions of Latin inspired flavours and genuine hospitality.
For more information visit: https://www.latinfoodsandwines.com.au Facebook: @latinfoodsandwines.com.au Instagram: @latinfoodsandwines_/
Cafe Sunshine and SalamaTea
SalamaTea is located in the heart of Sunshine and offers authentic Persian brunches by day and banquets at night. Run by Iranian chef Hamed Allahyari, the venue is an impressive social enterprise, employing friendly and welcoming staff from refugee backgrounds.
For more information visit: https://www.salamatea.org/ Socials: @salamateahouse
Wolf on Watton, Werribee
Sleek family run eatery in Watton St, Werribee, serving up everything from your morning coffee and eggs to your Friday night feed.
For more information visit: https://wolfonwatton.com.au Socials: @wolfonwatton
Harley and Rose, West Footscray
Showcasing Harley and Rose, West Footscray. A popular neighbourhood casual pizzeria from Josh Murphy and Rory Cowcher, two chefs who spent years at Three Two One, Cumulus, the Builders Arms and Cutler and Co.
For more information visit https://www.harleyandrose.net.au Socials: @harleyand_rose
NNB Dessert House, Sunshine
Owner Vu and his family prepare a popular range of both traditional and contemporary Vietnamese desserts. Now also serving scrumptious Vietnamese mains!
Socials: @nnbdessert
Pizza D’asporto, Williamstown
In this delicious traditional Italian pizzeria, the papa of Pizza D’Asporto shared with us a little of the ethos behind the cooking. Food is like a bus, he tells us. You pick people up, you take them places, you show them things and most importantly, you talk to each other. It’s an essential vehicle for knowing what’s happening in the lives of those who you cherish most. A second location also is open next to the Sun Theatre in Yarraville for your pre-movie lunch!
Socials: @pizzadasporto Video credit: Liam Moss
Gojo Ethiopian Cafe, Sunshine
Delicious, wholesome, tasty Ethiopian fare is served up a-la-carte with either rice or injera. Traditional coffee, complete with a coffee ceremony is simply divine.
Socials (Facebook): @GojoCafeRestaurant
Chibog, West Footscray
Part of the burgeoning Filipino culinary scene out West – Chibog’s neon lit restaurant offers Fun fact: Chibog is Filipino slang for “to eat”! Showcased in the Good Food Guide 2022, it specialises in gently spiced, braised meat dishes, crispy sweet potato fritters – and the super tasty desserts, with coconut and lychee flavours. There are many options for vegetarians and ‘more’ish’ cocktails.
Socials: @chibogau
Santorini, Williamstown
Williamstown institution Santorini has established itself as an impressive Nelson Place mainstay. The restaurant has become an important space for the community to come and break bread. With a deep appreciation for the culture and rich, piquant flavours of Greek cuisine, owner Craig Turton walks us through a backyard entertainment classic, the Gyros.
Socials: @santoriniwilliamstown Video credit: Liam Moss
Industry Insights
Quest Werribee
Learn more about the wonderful journey to franchise business ownership taken by Amol & Natalie of Quest Werribee.
For more information visit: https://www.questapartments.com.au/properties/vic/werribee/quest-werribee/ Socials:@questapartments
Michael Smith, Sun Theatre
An interview with Michael Smith, owner of the famous Sun Theatre in Yarraville located in Melbourne’s west. The interview is in three key parts and covering:
(1) The story of the Sun Theatre and how it has evolved as a business
(2) How Melbourne’s west is changing
(3) The challenges for the future of Melbourne’s west
For more information about the Sun Theatre click here suntheatre.com.au/history/
Re-imagining the West: Rob McGauran MGS Architects (Part 1)
In this first of a two part interview with Rob McGauran from MGS Architects Rob speaks about the scope for the future and the enormity of potential for Melbourne’s west, and explains how we might re-imagine how our city will operate in the future.
More of Rob McGauran’s work can be found at mgsarchitects.com.au
Melbourne’s West – Brilliant Cities for the 21st Century – Rob McGauran MGS Architects (Part 2)
In this second of a two part interview with Rob McGauran from MGS Architects speaks about the future and the enormity of potential for Melbourne’s west, how we will experience Melbourne in new ways, and how the transformation of Melbourne’s west is part of the 21st century story for Melbourne.
More of Rob McGauran’s work can be found at mgsarchitects.com.au