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    The Westsider: September, 2024

    The Westsider is a not-for-profit, monthly community newspaper, written by volunteers and delivered to hundreds of pick-up points across the inner west each month.

    Up on stumps: raising and retrofitting for flooded homes, but no buybacks

    Rather than buying back properties flooded along the Maribyrnong River in 2022, the EPC report recommends a resilient house scheme that would retrofit affected properties to avoid future risk.

    Toxic factories in Melbourne’s west:“Out of sight, out of mind. Until they blow up!”

    Community groups in Melbourne’s west are calling for accountability and preventative action in the wake of an increasing number of toxic factory fires.

    Vale Sarah Carter

    On Friday 16 August, people from all walks of life in both the West and beyond, gathered to bid their emotional farewells to Maribyrnong City Councillor Sarah Carter, who tragically passed away suddenly in early August.

    Passing of the Footscray lad who penned homegrown classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll

    Playwright Ray Lawler died in July this year aged 103. The celebrated writer, actor, director and producer is best remembered for his ground-breaking Australian play, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. Its success reassured an emerging sunburnt nation that their unique storytelling was of artistic worth.

    Is it time to reimagine senior citizens centres in the western suburbs?

    After half a century of supporting seniors, the West Sunshine Multicultural Italian Senior Citizens is closing its doors for good. The club profoundly impacted many lives, offering a sense of belonging and friendship however, with ageing members and a lack of interest from the new generation, committee members had to make the tough call.

    Champions of the West – Rick van Keulen

    You would not believe how much splendour exists in deceptively motley-looking blocks of grassland in St Albans and Cairnlea. Walk through them with Rick van Keulen and he helps you see all the different, often winsomely-named plants, such as featherheads, button wrinkleworts, golden billybuttons and showy podolepis, many of which have begun to flower.

    The power of celebration in building stronger communities – Techno Park offers a regenerative spark!

    In these challenging times, when cost-of-living pressures, rising violence, political divisiveness, and climate uncertainty weigh heavily on our minds, the importance of coming together as a community has never been more crucial. Celebrating through food, music, theatre, dance, and decoration creates powerful connections, fosters a sense of belonging, and deepens our attachment to the places we call home.

    Climate commitments or empty promises? A call for genuine action in Melbourne’s west

    In recent years, the demand for genuine climate action and sustainability initiatives at the local level has intensified, particularly as more residents express frustration with policies that appear more performative than transformative. 

    Rangoli: A tapestry of tradition, culture, and creativity

    Rangoli, an ancient Indian art form, is more than just a decoration—it’s a vivid celebration of culture and personal expression. Among the artists who have championed this transformation is Kriti Kapoor.

    African Youth Initiative kicks off in Melton

    The official opening of the African Youth Initiative (AYI) in Melton was a chance to get an insight into their Girls Chat program.

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    #103 December 2024

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