Farewell

It is hard to believe 10 years ago the then president of the Parkville Association asked for volunteers from the committee to take over the chair. I was still working but put my hand up not knowing I would still be there 10 years later!

It has been fun caring for a neighbourhood I have lived in for more than 30 of the past 45 years. There is so much I can say about one of the best suburbs in Australia to live. The wonderful streetscapes of Victorian houses, Royal Park, the Zoo, the University and even a train station! Great friends, caring neighbours and a village we have all called home.

In 2017 we celebrated 50 years as an association joined by then Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and Adam Bandt our then federal MP for Melbourne. It was an interesting event but highlighted the gap between our association, the council and our great friends across the road at the University.

The Parkville Association was named to include all in Parkville. We are not just a residents’ association but inclusive of all that live, work and study in Parkville.

Our War Memorial lists many who died in the First World War, sadly many were students studying pre-war at the university.

We have built the bridge and through the good work of the University and Colleges we have a great friendship with Janet Clarke Hall (JCH), Ormond, the University and very importantly our nearest neighbour Trinity. We have two committee members from Trinity and JCH and held our traditional “Party in the Park” at Trinity last year.

We have a station. The uni wanted to name it University, some Haymarket and others after the hospitals. We fought and won and it is named after the suburb it resides in! They wanted to close Grattan St but with help from the council it is operating superbly. We also had a VCAT case, which was tough but fully funded by residents and did not move forward, now being further heritage protected.

The support from members and other residents has been superb. Why not, we are a family of Parkvillians. We chat in the street or over a drink in Naughtons. We care for Royal Park … council, do not let it become a giant sports field! Most of us love walking through to Carlton through the University or down to Queen Victoria Market. It is a truly wonderful inner-city village.

To Sean and the team at Inner City News thank you for giving us the ability to communicate with all residents and, of course, the city.

To the team at Town Hall, a big thank you to Sally Capp and Nick Reece. Two very approachable friends who with the great team have helped our work enormously. Sally introduced a group called the Presidents of Residents that meets quarterly and also initiated neighbourhood partners. Nas Mohamud has held the role for a long time and is a dear friend.

To all that follow, everyone at the City of Melbourne is there to help if you work with their teams as friends, they are incredible to team up with but always respect them!

Not only is the 10 years up but Kereth and I have bought a great apartment only three blocks away but in Carlton. Still the city and close enough to keep in touch with our dear friends in Parkville. We will miss you all, but Parkville will be forever in our hearts!

Rob and Kereth •