Ed Chatwin's Blog

Dear Ed,

I wonder what a community consultation process would uncover if Gen-Y and the up and coming gen-Z’ers were the focus group.

YOH! to progress… but Old Pakenham still has charm, and dare I say a unique opportunity to appeal to the ‘SICK’ [meaning good] counter culture that the younger generation aspires to.

If you have a look at DeGraves street in Melbourne CBD, Brunswick and Smith streets, the hip trendy cafe culture, with alternative boutiques and street art that prevails – why not give Gippsland and the far east of the state a ‘taste’ of the eclectic urbane in Old Pakenham.

This could form a young cultural hub for teens and young adults – who find pseudo gladiatorial pursuits of weekend competitive sport … mind numbingly and boring … or, who want to create and express themselves in a more individual way.
Who knows what this could lead to in a revived strip shopping culture …the opportunity to host street art and artists, theater and music, with whimsical boutiques – let’s face it, farmers markets seem to be bombing out… let’s find something different (with a flavour less ‘moccies and denim tights’ as, Chadstone Shopping and Fashion Mecca of the Eastern world would have us believe is the pinnacle of all things switched on), but more eclectic, contemporary and avant-garde.

Somewhere young people can brand and call their own.

The financial rewards to the community would be legion. By the sheer weight of numbers and spending power, they will attract boutiques and outlets that will support fledgling fashion designers and dressmakers, jewelers, crafts, music and multi-media culture that is the gen-Y and the up and coming gen-Z ers want.

Their focus is I want an ‘experience’, I want my own original thing, I want to make it myself or have it made by my peer – who ‘gets’ me.

… imagine having all of this without having to travel halfway to another State to enjoy it.

Pink for Revival in Old Pakenham