Latest articles by Jenny Denton
Much-loved North Melbourne mural painted over
The painting-over of a popular North Melbourne mural has prompted bewilderment from those involved in creating it as well as for many members of the community who regarded it as a precious local landmark.
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Café a gateway to rare blend of art and initiative
West Melbourne’s Blender Studios now has a café that aims to bridge the gap between the multi-faceted street art enterprise and its local community. Meanwhile founder Adrian Doyle is going hard on an extraordinary range of projects.
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Open House unlocks north-west city stories
From build-to-rent housing to Victoria’s public records and Ukrainian history, this year’s Open House Melbourne Weekend will offer behind-the-scenes access to some of the city’s most interesting buildings, stories and ideas.
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Council spends $150K collecting nangs, votes in favour of crackdown
The City of Melbourne has acknowledged it lacks a proper management plan for dumped nitrous oxide cannisters or “nangs” and has voted to support a crackdown on the misuse of the gas and seek the development of a multi-agency response to the problem.
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Flem/Ken Writers Festival turns the page to local stories
Kicking off on Friday, July 17 with an already sold-out dinner, the brand-new Flem/Ken Writers Festival aims to celebrate the literary depth of the community and offer fresh and inclusive conversations and cultural connections.
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Kensington church sold to faith-based community
In what looks to be a good news story for the neighbourhood, a 19th century Kensington church that was up for sale has been snapped up by another local church.
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CityLink “silo” art trail appeal
The City of Melbourne has been petitioned for funds to create a Moonee Ponds Creek “silo art trail”, using the concrete pylons of CityLink as a canvas.
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Help keep the magic coming at The Venny
One of Kensington’s most beloved institutions is appealing for donations to help offset rising costs as it continues to conjure its low-key magic for the community.
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Community organisation boss calls time
The Venny CEO and former Kensington Neighbourhood House boss Carolyn Webster has always liked to keep busy but after 20 years at the helm of some lively local organisations she is ready for some down time.
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City of Melbourne flag celebrating whaling set to endure
An appeal for the redesign of the little-known flag of Melbourne has met with disinterest from the council, with Lord Mayor Nick Reece linking the issue to a future Australian republic.
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Trio charged over QVM ATM explosion
Three men from Melbourne’s inner north will appear in court next month charged with blowing up an ATM machine at the Queen Victoria Market in May and stealing around $5000.
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Hail the Roos: North Melbourne AFLW side awarded
North Melbourne’s AFLW team is continuing to reap glory for its dazzling form, picking up Vicsport’s team of the year title at an annual awards event at the MCG on May 13.
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“Luminous pulse” shines through Cheng Lei’s story
A “gripping and unexpectedly revealing” work written and performed by journalist Cheng Lei that is premiering at Arts House this month is not just about retelling the suffering of her three-year detention in China, Lei says, but “explor[ing] something universal”.
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Antisemitism submission sparks protest debate at Town Hall
A City of Melbourne submission to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism that flags changes to the management of Melbourne’s pro-Palestine protests caused division as well as “furious agreement” when it came before the Future Melbourne Committee on May 5.
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Extraordinary chef shares classic dish
“If you're in a room with West Africans, and you want to start the conversation, just talk about who makes the best jollof,” says Evette Quoibia, the owner of Jollof Vibe.
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Kensington’s Bakery Hill offering new whisky tours
A boutique family-owned whisky distillery in the heart of the north-west is offering peeks into the creation of its enticing beverages as well as tastes, tales, learnings, atmosphere and a general love for the drink.
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Last chance to try Asian-inspired playful “pop-up”
Popular Victoria St pop-up Pebble Dining will close its doors on May after a six-month stint. Chef Cam Tay-Yap says he and his wife would love to find a forever home in the neighbourhood for their restaurant.
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Local comedy club focused on fun, mixed lineups
Around the corner from the Comics Lounge, tiny Club Voltaire has been hosting funny, free-spirited shows for more than two decades and the comedians are serving up the laughs every Sunday night, with or without the Comedy Festival.
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Compost critters reveal a complex picture
A group of local residents glimpsed and touched for themselves evidence of “the huge, complex food web under our feet” when they took part in an insect information session at a Kensington Compost Hub event last month.
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Dumped “nangs” on the increase
The use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, as a recreational drug appears to be increasing in the CBD and West Melbourne, with local residents reporting empty cannisters being left lying around or stacked beside bins more and more frequently.
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