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Walk though our history

Walk though our history

Southbank’s history was highlighted last month as part of the National Heritage Festival.

A series of three tours were run by the Boyd Community Hub and hosted by local history librarian Michael MacKenzie, during April and May.

The tours included many historical facts about the area, including its significance to indigenous people before European settlement, its role as an industrial hub for early Melbourne and its role as a high-density residential suburb of modern Melbourne.

On the day Southbank Local News joined the tour, inclement weather had done nothing to dampen the tour group’s enthusiasm.

Mr MacKenzie said the tours had been very successful and were enjoyed by participants.

“Many of the people on the tours have memories of this area from the 60s and 70s, or it has been a mystery area that they drive over as they head towards the Westgate,” Mr MacKenzie said.

“They have been amazed so much has come from Southbank. People have loved visualising the mid-19th century and early 20th century foundries, timber yards, ice and lolly factories, brickworks and engineering firms,” he added.

“For me the most important part is that residents and non-residents get a sense that Southbank does have a history, an amazing one at that, and if you know this history you get a deeper sense of attachment and pride to where you live.”

Mr MacKenzie said the popularity of the walks has him planning more in the future.

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