Professor Elizabeth Harman

Each day from my office in Footscray, I look out on a unique view of Melbourne that surprises many of my visitors.

The vista to the left looks across to the mid 19th century Flemington Racecourse and the green treetops of the early 20th century Footscray Gardens.

To my right are the late 20th century Bolte Bridge, the city skyline and the fast growing Docklands and Waterfront City areas on the edge of the bay.

It’s a view that sums up Melbourne’s genteel past and thriving future.

It is a view that more and more Melburnians are enjoying as the growth corridors of our region stretch Melbourne westward.

After four years living in cosmopolitan Melbourne, I cherish its cultural diversity and proximity to the world.

Fruit and vegetable shopping with my husband Frank at Footscray’s Little Saigon market we are at once transported to the streets of Vietnam, and nearby Ascot Vale and Kensington offer a wealth of new little restaurants where we can explore cuisines from local Horn of Africa communities.

We can jump on a plane ten minutes from our home and be in New Zealand in two hours.

A trip into the city centre reminds us at every corner how strong Melbourne’s links to the rest of the world are.

A short walk from the European cafes at the top of Collins St are the thriving Asian eateries of Swanston St’s international student precinct.

Melbourne also offers an unexpected combination of creative flair and outdoor life.

By day, Frank and I can enjoy our ‘one bridge, two bridges, three bridges’ walk around the Maribyrnong, a trip to the Telstra Dome to watch the Bulldogs win or taking part in the Western Region Community Bike Ride.

By night, Melbourne offers ‘big end of town’ art and theatre as well as the artistic expression of new communities celebrated and given life at the Footscray Community Arts Centre, the hub of a growing cutting edge arts community in the west.

I know of no other city that sums up so well all the cultural benefits of a globalised world.