Who is Peta?

My name’s Peta and I’ve lived in Yarra’s Edge for around 3 1/2 years. I moved here from Southbank, which might only be 10 minutes away, but it’s made a huge difference. We didn’t really know our neighbours in South Bank, but through lockdowns, the area just began to feel overcrowded and suffocating. I didn’t even know Yarra’s Edge existed at the time, but I began walking my dog along the river and down to Point Park. The place had such a different vibe from where I was living. I jumped straight online when I got home and began hunting for apartments here.

As well as working in the health sector I’m a photographer on the side, so of course the moment I moved to Yarra’s Edge I had to buy myself a new camera. Docklands is such a photogenic suburb, the scenery around Yarra’s Edge especially is so pretty, and since getting to know people here I’ve started taking photographs at community events. Everyone is so accepting here, it doesn’t matter what you do or where you’ve come from. We all have our own stories, but we’re all supportive of each other and there's always someone to talk to, go for a walk with or have a drink with. While living in Southbank I never felt that sense of community.

I think that sense of community was in Yarra’s Edge beforehand, but it’s strengthened since the lockdowns. A few of us moved into the area during that time, it was great because you were forced to get to know your neighbours. It certainly helped that so many people in the neighbourhood are dog owners!

Being behind the camera, 100%, I wish I could do that full-time. I’ve exhibited some of my work at Magnet Gallery and I had my first solo exhibition called' love where you live' at 18 Pence lane. The feedback from the locals has been fantastic.

I also get commissioned as well as exhibiting. I do some of the photos for the Yarra’s Edge magazine, and as I said I shoot for community events. Some of the locals have asked me to do their photos for family events as well, which is great. It’s nice to photograph people you know. Since you know their characters beforehand, you’re more in tune with catching that ‘moment’. It makes the job a bit easier, but also a lot more fun.

Since moving here I’ve gotten to know the people and the precinct and it’s a great neighbourhood. The fact we’re so close to the city but still far away in some ways is fantastic for the lifestyle. In the CBD it feels like it’s chaos all the time, but here you can wander down to Point Park with the dog, meet up with a few friends and spend the afternoon chatting and chilling.

It has to be how tight knit the community in Yarra’s Edge is. Honestly, sometimes I feel like I’m on the set of ‘Friends’! You know, the hardest part about living here is when you’re hungover and go out to walk the dog. Normally you’d just walk the dog and head home.

Here, everyone says hi, so you’ve got to put on your best face because you know you’re going to meet at least half a dozen of your neighbours at the park! Seriously though, the community here has been the most awesome surprise of all, I’ve made so many great friends.

The main thing is obviously through our dogs. So many residents are dog owners that it’s impossible not to get to know people if you’re out walking yours. We get to know the local business owners like Andrew and Rosetta as well since they live here in addition to operating businesses. I mean, its all just networking, we’ll meet at 18 Pence Lane or Sassone or Hook’s for a drink and it’s great.

I have to say 18 Pence Lane. To be honest, I stay very local here. If I’m in Newquay I’ll go to the District for shopping and Urban Alley Brewery for a drink and something to eat, or to Hoyts for a movie.

I like heading down past the library on Victoria Harbour to where the old wooden ships are, there are some great photographs to be taken down there. I did a shoot there a while ago with the dragon boats. I like walking my dog down to the end of the wharf on a Sunday just to sit down and watch the crews practice.

They want to know when we’re going on holiday next so they can house-sit for us. They love it, but a lot of people don’t know about Yarra’s Edge. A lot of people have this negative opinion when you say you live in Docklands because they know the Wheel and Central Pier and have seen photos of empty shopfronts, so when they come here they’re pleasantly surprised.

I don’t think people understand everything that Docklands has to offer. There is a lot. There are heaps of community activities for all ages, lots of shopping, plenty of nice restaurants and bars around, and it’s just a lovely place for an evening walk. I have friends who will drive in from the suburbs just to spend the day walking around Docklands and hanging out.

On top of all that, the public transport around Docklands is great. I mean, the city circle tram is on our doorstep, and there are at least two train stations well within walking distance, plus you’ve got Port Phillip Ferries if you want to get out of town and head to Geelong or Portarlington for the day.

Sunday morning on the Webb bridge at around 10am, I know it sounds weird, but I love the shadows and the shapes that the light brings out that time, it feels like you’e in your own little cocoon.

I sound like a broken record, but it’s 100% the community here, everyone is just so supportive of each other, and obviously the view. I feel like we added ten years to our lives when we moved here, just being able to walk out there and breathe. Because I work from home, if I’ve had a stressful meeting, I’ll grab the dog and go for a walk or just go outside and sit by the water for a while to decompress. Not a lot of people get to do that.

I would say it’s something you can imagine because it is hard to describe until you’re here. Just taking in the scenery, the peacefulness, the openness, while sitting in a cafe chatting with some of the locals, it’s something that must be experienced.

I’d love to see Yarra’s Edge included in more Docklands events. The big ones like Firelight are always going to be around the Esplanade, and they do plenty of activities like the Santa maze in Newquay, but we could do with more small-scale community events that include Yarra’s Edge and spread out through the whole of Docklands.

Another thing is that so many of us freelance and work from home here or have side hustles and ‘kitchen bench’ businesses. I’d love to see a local directory where we can list our skills and home businesses for each other, I reckon it would get people sharing the things they’re good at and love doing. It would be great for the community.