2026 September

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From the President – Trish O’Loughlin

Making connections

How do we actually do it?
Belonging has never existed without responsibility to others. Building connections takes effort.
Read some small ways we can connect actively and take responsibility not just for ourselves but for our community
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Melbourne Festival of Puppetry
– presented by CO.AS.IT and La Mama

Tuesday 22 to Wednesday 24 September – bookings essential
page 2

Working groups

Planning 

Carlton Brewery site

While there have been developments on both the former Carlton Brewery site and surrounding streets that have exceeded the height guidance established in the Planning Scheme, the current proposal from Setia Carlton Pty Ltd constitutes a significant departure from the preferred nominal heights for the northern area – CRA has made a submission, stating concerns, to the Minister for Planning, the Premier and the Lord Mayor
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City of Melbourne – CoM – your closest level of government

Meet Councillor Davydd Griffiths

Portfolio Head:  Environment    Deputy: Environment Community and City Services
Re-elected in 2024, Cr. Griffiths is serving a second term on Council and believes the City of Melbourne is rising to the challenges of climate change, even as others around the world are backing away.
With a focus on city greening and supporting vulnerable communities he believes that listening to the community is a vital step in community participation
page 3,4

Meet Councillor Owen Guest

Portfolio Head: Finance, Governance and Risk  Deputy: Education and Innovation
After years working in finance and economics, Cr Guest said local government offered an opportunity to apply his professional expertise to issues that directly affect residents and neighbourhoods
With competing priorities and limited resources, Cr Guest believes clear decision-making is essential. “Some things should be prioritised over others. I will always call for transparency in those decisions.
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Meet Councillor Philip Le Liu

Portfolio Head: Creative Arts     Deputy: Planning
A veteran of nearly 10 years, Cr Le Liu has held a range of portfolios during his time on Council, including international student engagement and finance and governance. He says the Creative and Arts portfolio has given him the opportunity to champion an area that has long been central to Melbourne’s story.
While major festivals attract large crowds, Cr Le Liu says supporting artists throughout the year is just as important.
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Topical Issues

QVM News Mary-Lou Howie – President,
Friends of Queen Victoria Market Inc writes: 

Customer accessibility is vital for the viability of the market. When the building of the City of Melbourne/Lendlease development begins, construction will choke access to the Market. The traders are already doing it tough
You can help keep the car park.
Traders, customers, community members and other interested stakeholders can provide a written submission and complete a survey until Sunday 20 September. Read how.
page 6

Ellen Sandell, State MP for Melbourne writes:

Fighting for La Mama

Right now, La Mama’s future is far from secure. In the last round of Creative Victoria funding, La Mama received only two years of funding instead of the usual four.
It’s time we valued and invested in the arts.
If you want to support them directly, consider seeing a show, becoming a member, or making a donation, every bit helps keep this Carlton institution alive.
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Community News

A Day in Carlton

We are bringing you over 24 hours packed full of literary goodness in all its forms, creating the perfect opportunity for you to experience Carlton hospitality and vibrancy. We have curated this program to meet all interests, with topics from politics to poetry, land rights to advocacy, rage to wonder, global affairs to family conversations, through to history and hope with poets, musicians, journalists, politicians, commentators, artists and authors – all joining us to inspire new thoughts
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Building relationships and changing lives – Police Life

Nick and Jo Parissis both recipients of the Australian Police Medal  .
Nick is the Community Liaison Officer at the Melbourne North Police Station and works in the Carlton Area.
Jo has spend the the majority of her time as a Police Youth Resource Officer in Melbourne’s north.
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Royal Historical Society of Victoria (RHSV)

History bazaar The Newsletter of the RHSV bookshop
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Carlton Community History Group

Do you have family or other connections with SOUTH-WEST CARLTON?
Carlton Community History Group is currently working with the History Workshop at Melbourne University to undertake detailed research of this area, with a particular focus on the working-class population that has now been displaced.  Make contact at cchg@y7mail.com
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