More on the South Melbourne Market

The Market has special meaning for me because when we arrived in Australia in 1987 we rented a house in York St, directly opposite the market. Rita was my first introduction to the market and her generosity of spirit made all the difference at that time when I didn't know anybody. In those days, self serve on the fruit and vege stalls was an absolute no no. You requested a kilo of apples, and a kilo of apples you got with no choice in the matter. I have shopped weekly at the Market ever since.

How the market is manged: The South Melbourne Market is on Crown Land reserved for the purpose of a market. It is managed by a Committee of Council. Three Councillors are on this Committee to make sure it reflects the Council's values around valuing and supporting diversity, sound governance and taking action on environment and climate change.

The market, in turn, is guided by a strategic plan. A direction in that plan is to increase the diversity of goods and services offered at the Market so that the Market reflects the current Port Phillip community - ranging from young to old, low to high income, renters and home owners, and people from many cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Stallholders hold 3 year licenses - the maximum allowable under the Crown reservation.

A recent example of this policy at work has been the entry of a deli stall stocking goods sought by the Russian community. Prior to this there was a bizarre situation where Russian community members were travelling to Balaclava as they could not find what they were looking for at the Market.