East Melbourne’s fighting spirit on show at 72nd AGM

The East Melbourne Group’s 72^nd annual general meeting on Monday, March 17 was anything but dull.

With a packed room at the East Melbourne Community Library, a touch of theatrical flair, and a few superhero references, the evening was a reminder that East Melbourne is no ordinary suburb – it’s a community with a cause.

President Greg Bisinella set the tone with a warm welcome, likening the EMG’s work to a well-rehearsed dance. He paid tribute to the tireless efforts of committee members and acknowledged the East Melbourne Neighbour Network, including the well-deserved Order of Merit awarded to community stalwart Sue Henderson.

There was also a moment of reflection, with respects paid to members who had passed, including a generous bequest from the late John Berry. Greg took a moment to urge members to check in on each other – a poignant reminder that community is not just about advocacy but about connection.

“We don’t shy away from standing up for noble pursuits,” he declared. “And if you want to live a longer, healthier life, the key is to be connected to your community, which is exactly what we do here.”

The dynamic duo take the stage

With formalities out of the way, Mr Bisinella introduced the night’s guest speakers – Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell. In a nod to their civic leadership, he painted Cr Reece as a caped crusader, “one almost expects to see him flying over Melbourne with a large ‘S’ on his chest or driving through the streets in a Batmobile.”

Cr Campbell was first to take the mic, reaffirming the council’s commitment to working closely with the community. “This is an area that every Melburnian, every Victorian, is proud of,” she said.

She touched on key priorities – city safety, cleanliness, and the importance of open space. Graffiti, she assured residents, is now removed within an hour of being reported, and the council welcomes feedback.

“Make sure you tell us if something falls through the cracks. We are always delighted to hear from you,” she said.

She also highlighted the city’s commitment to green spaces. “These are one of the things that make Melbourne so special and liveable,” she said. “We need to balance the pressure to build more housing with the importance of open space.”

Then it was over to Cr Reece, who made no secret of his admiration for East Melbourne.

“I live in Carlton, and we dream of moving to East Melbourne,” he admitted. “Arguably, you’ve got the best example of Victorian residential architecture anywhere in the world … it’s fair to say you’ve got something worth fighting for here.”

That fighting spirit, he noted, has deep roots. The EMG’s origins can be traced back to the 1950s, when residents chained themselves to elm trees on George St to prevent their removal.

“In America, they say ‘Don’t mess with Texas.’ At Melbourne City Hall, we say ‘Don’t mess with East Melbourne.’”

Heritage, parking, and a missing head

Cr Reece outlined the council’s ongoing heritage review, incorporating new research by Lovell Chen to deepen understanding of East Melbourne’s Victorian and Indigenous history. He also shared an update on Fitzroy Gardens’ soon-to-open pavilion, led by Vue de Monde’s Hugh Allen. “What he has planned is incredible,” he teased.

Shifting gears, Cr Reece addressed recent vandalism of the Captain Cook statue, standing firm on the city’s response.

“You can never have a situation where you reward illegal behaviour … I don’t think those attacking Cook based on Indigenous issues understand Australian history.”

He also put out a request for the missing head of King George, which has been mysteriously appearing at various gatherings – including, somewhat bizarrely, on a barbecue. “If you know where it is, please let us know!”

Parking, always a hot-button issue, also got its moment in the spotlight. The council received 120 separate submissions on East Melbourne’s parking woes, and Cr Reece assured residents that he was personally committed to improving the situation. “It seems to have gotten worse, and I don’t want that to happen on my watch.”

The evening ended with questions from the floor, covering everything from the visibility of street numbers (an audit is already under way) to parking inspectors’ focus on residents rather than event-day visitors. Cr Reece quipped that perhaps if inspectors were more active, they could generate enough revenue to fund more green spaces.

A stronger, greener, safer East Melbourne

The council’s focus on city safety and cleanliness was reiterated. “Nothing annoys me more than potholes and long grass when you drive around Melbourne,” Cr Reece said. “If there’s something you see that needs fixing, call the council. And if they don’t fix it, call me.”

The development at 179-181 Hotham St sparked concern, with residents lamenting the loss of a potential family home and the developer’s direct appeal to VCAT. “We will fight very, very hard to ensure developers do not overstep planning controls and to support the special character of East Melbourne,” Cr Reece assured.

Finally, on the topic of street signage, he struck a balance between function and aesthetics. “I don’t want to see excessive visual clutter. I do support slowing cars down – 40km in residential neighbourhoods solves a number of potential problems, including visual clutter and safety.”

With a final round of applause and a heartfelt thanks to the speakers, the night wrapped up with a well-earned cup of tea and delicious biscuits baked by members of the community – the perfect ending for an AGM that highlighted community spirit in action.

Photography by Hanna Komissarova.