Support your locals this summer

By Jeremy Vincent - President While it will be some time before we’re back to pre-COVID levels in the precinct, it is a great feeling to see the place slowly come to life again. I commend those businesses who have managed to withstand the lockdown, while we acknowledge that there are some who may not emerge from the economic devastation brought upon them. The Yarra River Business Association (YRBA) has moved quickly to help stimulate patronage during the summer period, with a special emphasis on you, our Southbankers, to help make it happen. This edition of Southbank News includes our summer activities special feature, with suggestions for residents to enjoy with friends and family during the next four to eight weeks right on your doorstep. It includes some special discounts for Southbank residents. I think you would agree that a major part of the appeal of living in Southbank is the vibrancy that the riverside businesses and arts venues create for residents. With international tourism unlikely to return for possibly 12 months, major events uncertain in the short term and only a trickle of workers returning, our businesses will rely on your patronage to keep them afloat. Did you know that you can buy a year’s membership to Eureka Skydeck for just $60? A membership not only gives you unlimited visits to view Melbourne in all its seasons and moods, but you also get 20 per cent off for any friends and relatives you take along with you. What a great gift to give to a fellow Southbanker. Similarly, do you know about the beautiful Spanish-style courtyard at the Mission to Seafarers in Flinders St? Over summer the Mission is inviting Southbankers to make free use of the barbecue in the courtyard. Just phone up to book, but please buy your drinks at the bar to help the Mission fund their vital outreach work for seafarers. During the next few months we will be bringing you a series of vlogs (video blogs) via the Southbank residents’ Facebook page, which will highlight the new outdoor eateries popping-up along the river and featuring the people behind the businesses. Along with the “I’m a Southbanker” pages that we have been running during the past six months in this newspaper, we hope that the vlogs will strengthen rapport with the 25,000 residents living just behind our businesses. This is my first column to you as the new president of the YRBA. Some of you may know me from my role at Arts Centre Melbourne, where I work alongside the chief executive Claire Spencer. My presidency provides an opportunity to strengthen the role of the arts as part of the business and residential lifeblood of Southbank. The state government’s budget announcement about the transformation of the Melbourne Arts Precinct looks set to create not only new indoor facilities but a wonderful public plaza to help strengthen Southbank’s worldwide reputation as an arts-centred community. You will be in the box seats to take advantage of it •