182 years of a multicultural city

By David Amaya

Live concerts, roving entertainment, food trucks and a performance about the arrival of Melbourne’s first European inhabitants marked the celebration of its 182nd anniversary on August 27.

“Melbourne is one of the most successful multicultural cities.” This phrase united the Melburnians who gathered in Docklands to celebrate.

Victoria Harbour Promenade became the centre of the celebration of the cultural wealth and history of Melbourne.

The schooner Enterprize represented the arrival of the first settlers who came with the dream of starting a new life.

“The first inhabitants came with many expectations and uncertainty, but soon they realised that this was a very good land and everything would grow very well here,” said David Penington, who plays the role of the Captain John Lancey.

“I am very proud of how varieties of people make a friendly and interesting community,” he said.

Helen Ebsworthy is another Melburnian who enjoyed the celebration with her family and friends. She wore a costume from 1838 and remarked that Melbourne had become a multicultural hotspot.

“The Chinese immigration in the 19th century and the Greek and Italian immigration in the 50s are just a few examples of how this city is the home of different nationalities,” she said.

During the event, people enjoyed concerts and a choir of about 40 people that sang some classics of rock and pop music.

One of the principal concerts was offered by Peta Evans-Taylor who highlighted the best of her city: “Something that I do love about Melbourne is that there is always something to do 24/7.”

“It doesn’t matter the time, the weather – you can always go somewhere and listen to a band, drink a coffee or meet someone from anywhere,” she said.