Faces, memories

By Lia Bichel
SEVERAL Springvale residents with amazing stories to tell will help council launch a new community arts project in the suburb on the weekend.
Face to Face – The story of Springvale is a three-year project which directly engages with people of all ages and backgrounds who live, work or visit Springvale.
The project consists of three major stages, including gathering people’s stories, learning about digital portrait photography and how it can be used to documents lives and journeys. Selected stories, images and recordings will also be developed into a hard-copy book, DVD and exhibition.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Living Treasure Mary Borg, 72, has told her story and will be at the launch on Saturday.
She is president of the Springvale Multicultural Club and works for St Joseph’s parish and Joey’s Food Van.
Ms Borg moved to Australia from Malta in 1966 with her husband and two children, before having two more children in Springvale.
She said Springvale was a wonderful place to live and she has seen it go through several transformations.
“People come here for shopping and to eat, there is so much diversity,” she said.
“I have seen Springvale evolve over the years. It used to feel a lot more dangerous, but it’s great now. Police and the council have worked hard to make it a safe and wonderful place to live.”
Local restauranteur, Victorian women’s volleyball coach and Southern Dragons football player Karl Lim agreed.
The 34-year-old moved to Australia from Cambodia in 1983 and moved to Springvale in 1986. For a short time, he lived in Edithvale before returning to Springvale to work at his parents’ restaurant, The Family Orchid.
“I love the food here, there is so much fresh produce and mixture of culture,” he said.
“It’s a great suburb. It’s safe. It feels like home. My parents don’t speak fluent English but can still feel at home.”
Lightwood Ward councillor Youhorn Chea said the project would help build greater understanding, tolerance and acceptance within the community and provide people with the opportunity to tell their stories in their own words.
“By showcasing all the wonderful people, places and experiences Springvale has to offer, I hope it will encourage people from other parts of Melbourne to discover Springvale,” he said.
The stories of Mr Lim, Ms Borg and several others will be featured at the launch on Saturday July at 10.30am at Springvale District Historical Society, 7 Hillcrest Grove, Springvale.
Face to Face is funded by VicHealth, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the City of Greater Dandenong.