Hocking Stuart Red Magazine - Sebastian's Food & Wine

ed shop
Text by: Anna Bowen Photography by: Alex Gott-Cumbers
?? 8
hockingstuart.com.au
The Dandenong Market
With a local population comprising more than 150
nationalities, it seems only fitting that Dandenong hosts a
world fair. This weekend, as part of the Melbourne Food
and Wine Festival, the Dandenong World Fair celebrates
the culture and cuisine of its many migrant communities –
among them Greeks, Italians, Latvians, Dutch and Polish,
and more recent arrivals from Africa and the Middle East.
Accommodating the hawker style stalls, food tastings
and cultural entertainment is the recently redeveloped
Dandenong Market. In the last few years, at a cost of
$26 million, this bustling community hub has acquired a
new general merchandise building (2009), fresh produce
section (2010) and meat, fish and deli hall (2011). It is
one of several key urban renewal projects constituting the
‘Revitalising Central Dandenong’ initiative, which builds
upon the region’s history to deliver positive urban change.
Dandenong’s potential as a market town was first identified
during a settlement survey in the 1850s. But it wasn’t until
1864 that the Colonial Government granted approval for
the development of Dandenong Market at the behest of
petitioning ratepayers. In October 1866, the Market was
officially opened on the intersection of Lonsdale and
McCrae Streets. Relocation to the current site came 60
years later and its form and function reconfigured several
times since.
A vibrant extension to the Market’s history is the injection of
multicultural influences. Today, Dandenong is recognised
as the heart of Melbourne’s growing southeast corridor
and the Market the melting pot of its many cultures.
Diverse tastes and treasures come from as far afield as
Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Brazil, China and Malaysia. It’s a
veritable feast for all in attendance, reflecting the colourful
community that is Dandenong.
ADDRESS: Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong
WEB: www.dandenongmarket.com.au
hockingstuart.com.au ?? 9