Docklands is a village

Docklands is a village

In the time I have been working in the Docklands community I have come to realise that Docklands is a village.  And just as with any village there is a small community that calls Docklands home. This small community is active in Docklands and can be seen wherever there is a gathering.

Welcome to Docklands Village. Consider that you are a stranger, newly-arrived in town. The first thing you do is unpack your bags and make yourself at home. Time to head off out, meet the neighbours and discover what there is to do.

November is your lucky month to be new in town! Start by marking Friday, November 25 in your diary, because there is going to be a great spectacle coming to town. The “Suit Up and Ride Day” is coming to NewQuay (I will tell you how to get there in a minute). The village is expecting a great crowd and, as a new person in town, you are encouraged to pick up the Docklands News special souvenir program of the day and find out what the village has in store for you. The event takes place along NewQuay Promenade with the Waterfront City Piazza being the start and finish.  

There is a host of entertainment on offer on the day with TV and radio stations likely to be present. Matt Tilley is scheduled to start the day with the Matt and Jo morning show and Clare Bowditch will be singing on stage towards the end of the day. During the day you are very likely to see Cadel Evans, who will be making regular appearances.

You should approach your company to sponsor a team to ride in the event, and get your colleagues to come out in support. This is going to be a great day in Docklands – and the sun is gonna shine, gonna shine!

If you are new to Docklands here is how to find NewQuay. Follow the Harbour Esplanade from NAB building towards the intersection with Dudley St.  Look out for the “Cow in the Tree” to your left.

Just before you get to the intersection and as you run out of water, turn left into NewQuay Promenade and you are in NewQuay.  Along this stretch of water there are some fine restaurants and bars. This is the venue for Suit Up and Ride. You have arrived!

You also need to know that you are very near to Harbour Town – home of some great Docklands shopping. Harbour Town is just at the back of the piazza where the start and finish will be located. Harbour Town is a shopping centre with some unbelievable bargains. Make sure you go in and see for yourself.

This newspaper regularly reports on up-and-coming events in the Docklands Village. There is even a page dedicated to the Docklands Community Calendar. Make sure you read that page for things to do.

Docklands Village is proud to say it has a world-class ice skating facility in the Medibank Icehouse.  It is the home of the Medibank Melbourne Ice and the Groovetrain Mustangs ice hockey teams. You should have a look at the Medibank Icehouse website to see what is on offer.

The Wonderland Fun Park is another venue with loads of entertainment for kids. Have a look at its website too.  There are many venues for entertaining your kids.

Just arrived is the Docklands’ Snow Park for snowboarders. Here you can hone your snowboarding skills without waiting for winter and making the few hours’ journey to the hills. It offers you a cost-effective alternative for your training! The Snow Park has an active Facebook page for more information.

Here is the Good News Bill Challenge! Identify five other venues in Harbour Town – not mentioned here – that entertain kids. Email me on [email protected] and you will be rewarded with a gift voucher. This challenge is valid for the month of November.  To enter, simply email me your response, and all correct answers will be entitled to a gift voucher redeemable in Docklands.

I have to say that in my experience Docklands Village has a lot to offer everyone.  Docklands is a big place and, like anywhere, it gets very windy and wet at certain times of the year. Happily, it also has plenty of great days too.

There is now a “Docklands is Beautiful” Facebook page and website (http://www.docklandsisbeautiful.com.au) where Docklanders share their happy experiences and photographs. You can add yours to the growing collection.

Docklands is Beautiful! You had better believe it, and welcome to Docklands!

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