by Jac Ramadge
This long and elaborate post on why ‘Why Melbourne Sucks’ proved to be quite an interesting read, where it summarizes the common aspects of dissatisfaction towards Melbourne. The blogger has a lively writing style, generating scenarios in the readers’ mind. Elaborate Transport, drugs, racist issues, weak identity of Melbourne, justice system, even criticizing tourist attractions. Apparently, he felt that he should “cover a lot more areas and dive more deeply into the basis of my dislike towards the city that I reside in.”
Of course this may be just one individual case, but it still represents a Melburnian’s view, nonetheless. If his detailed profile on his blog is genuine, this blogger is a twenty-five year old Australian whose main interests are world affairs, Apart from the “Why Melbourne Sucks” post, he also discusses a varies topics. His bold comments clearly illustrate his personal view on the world and society.
Ramadge is in his prime age yet his comments sounded like someone who has experienced too much and got sick and tired of how the world has changed. Truly, due to globalization/digital age and many other factors, changes occur at such a rapid rate that even those who are born during the time feels left behind at times. Through his complaints, we can strongly sense his disappointment in Melbourne as a whole. Following his post, ninety-three comments rose to share similar views on Melbourne.
The lack of confidence for the future of Melbourne and its people is an alarming piece of information. We are the so-called future pillars of society, what will happen in the future if we don’t even have confidence in it? At the end of the post, Ramadge was mulling over the most suitable definition for Melbourne. Either “Melbourne – the drunk town” or “ Melbourne – violence is just around the corner”.
From here, I want to draw in two other research projects regarding Australian youth; one from the City of Melbourne, the other is a self-initiated project.
1. In 2006, the City of Melbourne engaged the Australian Youth Research Centre at the University of Melbourne and Australia 21 Ltd, a non-profit, public-interest research company to review civic engagement and young people. The research project aim to gain a better understanding of young people and priovide the opportunity to engage in and learn about local government processes and decision making. http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/ForYouth/Documents/Civic_Engagement_and_Young_People_Final_Report.pdf
2. OurSay Australia is a new social media website which aims to directly link Australia’s youthful online community with leaders and decision-makers. The fiver founders (consisting students, public servants, consultants and entrepreneurs) initiated a space for discussion, acknowledging and valuing youth’s opinions on Melbourne. I really like this OurSay project; it takes real passion for the society to drive these people, to make constructive feedbacks and actual changes. This way, they are no longer passive viewer when decisions are made that affect them. Being empowered boosts their confidence and entice them to make a difference to Melbourne. http://oursay.org/
References
Eckersley. R, Wierenga. A & Wyn. J 2006, Being young - never better, or getting worse?, Online opinion, viewed 11 October 2010, <http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4329>.
Melbourne City Council 2010, Research about young people, City of Melbourne, viewed 9 October 2010, <http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/CommunityServices/ForYouth/Pages/ResearchAboutYoungPeople.aspx>.
Price, N 2010, ‘Melbourne youth to get a say on politics’, Melbourne Leader, 21 June, viewed 12 June 2009, <http://melbourne-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/youth-to-get-a-say-on-issues/>.
Eckersley. R, Wierenga. A & Wyn. J 2006, Being young - never better, or getting worse?, Online opinion, viewed 11 October 2010, <http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=4329>.
Holdsworth. R, Stokes. H, Blanchard, & Mohamed, N 2006, Civic engagement and young people in the city of Melbourne report, Australian Youth Research Centre, Melbourne.
I am a Melbourne guy living in Hong Kong. I note that you're a Hong Kong chick living in Melbourne. I would be very interested to talk more on this topic as I'm getting fed up with Hong Kong and thinking of moving back to Melbourne. I see issues in Melbourne - but they certainly don't seem the cultural / educational / work issues people might see in Hong Kong.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to contact me. Would be really nice to vent.