Another exciting year ahead in East Melbourne
What does it take to create one of the world’s most liveable suburbs? A passionate and dedicated team which cares about community and heritage.
At the time of writing, the Australian Open has just wrapped up a brilliant two weeks of record-breaking tennis. With more than 1.2 million people streaming into Melbourne Park, the AO has lived up to its reputation as a premier global sporting event.
What does tennis and the AO have to do with East Melbourne and the East Melbourne Group (EMG)?
Technically, nothing. However, East Melbourne’s adjacency to the MCG and Jolimont Station means that over the past two weeks, thousands of tourists from across the country and the globe have alighted in East Melbourne, experiencing a little of what residents know makes the suburb not only livable but uniquely special.
They’ve had the delight of strolling down leafy tree-lined streets, past rows of heritage-listed Victorian terrace houses, including Bishopscourt, one of the oldest properties in East Melbourne and the official residence of the Anglican Archbishop of Melbourne since 1853.
They’ve stopped for a morning coffee and provisions at the East Melbourne General Store, one of the last remaining milk bars in Melbourne. And, they’ve possibly even been stopped by Frank, the uber-friendly local cat on Powlett St who won’t let anyone pass by without giving him a scratch behind his ears, or better yet, a belly rub.
Fostering a village-like atmosphere in an urban inner-city suburb as well as protecting and preserving its architectural history and integrity for residents and tourists alike to delight in doesn’t happen by accident. It takes the combined efforts of a small group of passionate community volunteers.
Founded in 1954, the EMG is Victoria’s oldest community residents’ group. From its inception, the purpose of the EMG has been – and continues to be – to protect, improve and enhance one of Melbourne’s most iconic suburbs.
Over the past 70 years, the architectural landscape of Melbourne has changed rapidly; so too has the pace of life and subsequent demands on infrastructure. Far clinging to the past and preserving heritage for the sake of it, the EMG proactively engages with the City of Melbourne, the National Trust, Heritage Victoria, and political representatives.
As a result of its continuing efforts, it has been possible to strike a harmonious balance between growth and progress, and the preservation of the Instagram-worthy aesthetic fabric of East Melbourne.
The protection of heritage architecture is just one aspect of what the EMG advocates for. It takes far more than rows of ornate balconies and a skyline of 150-year-old red brick chimneys to create a place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to an era when you knew your neighbour's name and could knock on their door for a cup of sugar.
A significant part of the work the volunteers who make up the EMG committee do is supporting and organising community events.
In December, together with the East Melbourne Neighbour Network (EMNN), EMG hosted a Christmas market and fundraising sausage sizzle at the East Melbourne Library, and the Community Christmas picnic at Bishopscourt, where the jolly man in a big red suit made a special appearance with the help of the Melbourne firefighters.
The 2025 social calendar is looking even more impressive than last year’s, when there was at least one community event a month. In March the EMG will host its annual general meeting, as well as a special International Women’s Day speaker event.
Trivia night will be back later in the year, as will a series of delicious dining events at local hidden gems. The annual Black Tie gala fundraiser returns in October, and planning is under way for seasonally themed free family friendly events for Easter and Halloween.
To find out more about the EMG and upcoming community events in East Melbourne: emg.org.au •

Bibi Ji: “not your typical Indian joint”
