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Hello Reader, It's Terrie here. When I heard from Seniors in Melbourne that there was a guided tour of St Albans Market as part of the Victorian Seniors Festival, I jumped at the chance. I actually grew up in St Albans but hadn’t been back for over 25 years — so it felt like the perfect opportunity for a nostalgic day out. I caught the train up from Geelong and couldn’t help but smile thinking of my teenage self sprinting for the train to my first city job. Of course, the old boom gates and platforms have long gone, replaced with a modern underground station. The market itself, which has been around since 1973, was new to me — and what a delight it was! Our wonderful guide, Simon, introduced us to stallholders and shared stories of the area’s multicultural history. We sampled dried fruits, nuts, and beautifully fresh produce while chatting with the locals. I loved one sign that read, “We speak English, Italian, Maltese, Vietnamese!” — perfectly capturing the community spirit. The walking tour was easy and flat, with Simon and the friendly Brimbank Council team (Terri and Deb) making sure everyone felt comfortable. After exploring the main street, we settled in for a delicious Vietnamese lunch — think crispy spring rolls, fragrant rice, and the best chicken coleslaw I’ve ever had. And the treats didn’t stop there! We visited Pista House for Indian sweets (each of us got a box to take home) and finished the afternoon with coffee in a laneway decorated with colourful street art. It was such a friendly, relaxed group — full of laughter and conversation. Even if you go alone, you’ll feel right at home. I left with a full belly, a happy heart, and a promise to myself to return next year. Have you done anything like this before? Enjoy your week, P.S. Apparently the Brimbank Council hosts similar food tours throughout the year, so check on their website if you're interested, and no doubt we'll list those upcoming events here, too!
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