I ❤️Brunswick West: 23/03/2020 to Ongoing

What is your connection to Moreland?

I’ve lived in Brunswick West for 7 years. I shop, eat, exercise and hang out here. Many of my mates live in Moreland who I meet with either at their houses or local parks and venues.

What was your experience of life before the pandemic?

Before Covid I was commuting into my graphic design job in the city. This entailed either the 58 tram, Upfield train, walking or a combo of all three. Despite living in Brunswick West it would take a full hour to get to work and the same on the way home. I always liked these parts of my day the least.

Describe an experience that occurred during this pandemic that has stood out to be significant to you that you'd like to share?

Once lockdowns hit in late March 2020, I - along with much of Melbourne - started working from home. This eliminated the need to commute and gave me an extra few hours of personal time each day. Combined with the ability to pop out on lunchtime walks, I found I had ample time, energy and motivation to really amp up a personal project I had started on Instagram in 2019: @ilovebrunswickwest. Being confined to the neighbourhood was a blessing in disguise for this purpose. I spent many hours walking the streets and photographing local businesses, parks, cute houses, teddy bear and rainbow hunts, words of kindness and encouragement on footpaths and in windows, vintage signage, anything that piqued my interest really! I would then post these to my account and noticed my followers and interactions increasing throughout lockdown; as people started connecting more and more with their local area and community. Despite lockdown ending and restrictions easing I plan to continue expanding on the project in 2021 and into the future.

Instagram: ilovebrunswickwest

Images & experience written by Shell, submitted through Moreland:23/03/2020 to xx/xx/xxxx online submission form