PERSPECTIVES OF THE INNER WEST

Following the completion of the ‘Perspectives of the Inner West’ competition presented by the Bradmill Yarraville development, a dozen photographs will be on display to the public across three weekends in May at the iconic West Melbourne eatery, Grazeland from 12 – 27 May during opening hours.

‘Perspectives of the Inner West’ sought entries from professional and amateur photographers alike, seeking imagery which best represents living in the West.

The final 12 images have been selected from thousands of entries accrued over a two-week period and represent the melting pot of Western Melbourne from iconic landmarks to portraits of locals and even family photographs.

Theo Della Bosca, Frasers Property Australia Development Director of Bradmill Yarraville – a new mixed-use community coming soon to Yarraville – and a member of the judging panel, said the calibre of entries made for lively debate amongst his peers who also had to nominate three prize winners from the final twelve.

“It was really interesting for us to see such a broad representation of West Melbourne, and I believe the final 12 entries decided by the panel are a great mix for the public display.”

Entries were measured against a criterion of how well it demonstrates life in Melbourne’s inner west, overall impact, storytelling and creativity, visual quality, technical skill and uniqueness.

From the final 12, three have been awarded a prize for first, second and third place, claiming a $3,500, $1,000 and $500 prize respectively.

Shane Nagle, another judge on the panel, is best placed as any to adjudicate on behalf of Frasers Property after he was sprung photographing the Bradmill site during a site visit from Frasers staff members.

Rather than receiving a ‘move along’ order, Nagle shared his images with the team who in turn commissioned his work to document the remaining heritage buildings on site in their current state and assist with future promotion of the development.

“It was purely coincidental that I was essentially in the right place at the right time, running into the Frasers Property team, but it’s such an iconic and photographed site in Melbourne that I’m sure they would’ve stumbled across someone there,” said Nagle, renowned for his portrait and headshot photography and a Design Educator at Swinburne University.

“It was interesting to see what other people considered iconic in this part of Melbourne as well, beyond what you’d traditionally think. It was great to have a vibrant mix to select from.” Included in the exhibition is an image titled ‘Footscray Park’ by Tim Matthews who said of the opportunity “I am happy to be selected for the exhibition. I feel that the photo shows a completely different view of Footscray Park in the inner west that most residents and visitors would never see.”

Another exhibition entrant Laine Warwick said of his photo ‘West Gate’, “The West Gate has been a feature of my life since I was a child. My father had worked for 50 years in the building beneath the bridge pictured across the river, and so did I for a short time too. I now often ride under the Westgate on the way to my work each day. My family have lived on both sides of the bridge in Seddon, and now in Williamstown – all of this added some personal sentimental value to my entry.”

The exhibition is supported by a slice of the west’s history, the Bradmill Yarraville development on Francis Street in Yarraville.

Developed by Frasers Property Australia and partner Irongate, Bradmill Yarraville is set to become an iconic community in Melbourne’s inner west, encompassing townhomes, apartments, a neighbourhood shopping centre, community facilities and a revitalised heritage precinct.

Bradmill has a long-standing reputation as a must-see destination for urban exploration as well as a hotspot for vibrant street art and is one of the most photographed structures in the west.

A frequent setting in the past for underground gatherings centred around music and the arts, Bradmill has often been a hub for creatives to meet and mingle.

Frasers Property is looking to carry this vibrancy into its new community at Bradmill, while increasing liveability in this pocket of Yarraville – removing industrial use in the residential neighbourhood and remediating the land with new trees, new green spaces and new amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Importantly, Bradmill Yarraville will pay respect to the site’s rich history as an unmistakeable landmark of industry and heritage of Yarraville.