Looking forward to a new year

Happy New Year to all! The Docklands community is back from its summer holidays and is looking forward to what 2015 brings.

Last year, the Docklands Chamber of Commerce announced that it would be supporting the Alma Doepel restoration project for 2015.

The chamber recognises that the Alma Doepel, supported by LendLease, is hidden away in a soon-to-be-developed part of Docklands and is trying hard to find the money to acquire the necessary materials to complete the task.

Much has been done already. The hard preparation work has been completed. Alma has been raised out of the water, and her old planks removed. Many parts have been removed and lovingly restored in Shed 2 down the end of North Wharf Rd, waiting to be put back into place.

To celebrate Australia Day and bring the Alma Doepel into the limelight, Korevaars tugs threw in its support and towed the Alma from her home to a location outside the NAB building. The exercise even caught the attention of Channel 9 news!

The Department of Premier and Cabinet organised a spectacular Australia Day event at the NewQuay Piazza and, with its support, the chamber engaged with two local vessels, Grower and Barkoona, to provide a low-cost ferry service for Australia Day revellers to enjoy time out on the water.

The chamber celebrated Australia Day with live music from Safari Motel and Callum Gleeson aboard the Alma Doepel barge, creating a carnival atmosphere around local restaurants with Black Cod, Tataki and Watermark making the most of the day.

Also open were VinTam Bakery, Little Nyonya and Igg. These businesses did very well out of the day and agree they would like a festival every weekend!

The day finished up with DJ Donnie James Truong playing music from the Alma barge and the finale was the hugely-popular Department of Premier and Cabinet-sponsored fireworks display.

Supporters of the Alma Doepel and chamber members were out in force as volunteers ensuring safe passage on the ferry service, which raised a total of $4,825.15 towards the Alma Doepel restoration fund.

Watermark and Black Cod each donated $300. Tours on Trikes joined in the fun with visitors posing for photographs for a gold coin donation, with one generous visitor contributing $50.

Volunteers reported many passengers were asking if there were water transport options for South Wharf, Federation Square, St Kilda and Williamstown. Now wouldn’t that be something – and why ever not?

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle reported in the news that the ferry rides proved popular with people queuing to buy tickets.

The chamber would like to acknowledge the support of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Lend Lease, MAB and, as always, the City of Melbourne.

And now for the next great event to come to Docklands – Chinese New Year.

You will remember the Chinese Dragon along Harbour Esplanade from last year. Well be prepared – it is coming back to Docklands bigger and better in this the year of the Goat! Keep February 19 free and be ready.

The chamber currently has more than 200 members and this number is growing. If you are a small business, join up and become part of our community.

Contact [email protected] or go to the website. Docklands is Beautiful!