AUGUST 28, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
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Big screen bonanza By Goya Dmytryshchak
Student is on a mission
(Damjan Janevski)
Hobsons Bay’s first major cinema complex is set to open in Altona North by mid 2020 as part of the city’s biggest shopping and commercial centre development. Property fund manager Charter Hall is building the $70 million centre at 290-298 Millers Road, which is the last stage of the $250 million Millers Junction precinct. The six-screen, 3000 square metre cinema complex will be next to a Woolworths-anchored shopping centre whose confirmed tenants include BWS and The Reject Shop. Millers Junction Retail is the fourth stage of the Millers Junction precinct, which also includes a business park and homemaker centre. Charter Hall diversified development head Ben Dodwell said the cinema operator was expected to be revealed in coming weeks. “We’re in the final stages of negotiation,” he said. “We’ve sought and received consent from council for the usage and we’re very excited about the prospect of opening it in the first half of next year. “It will be a full-scale cinema.” The next closest cinemas are Village at Pacific Werribee and Sunshine, Sun Theatre in Yarraville and Hoyts at Highpoint. Mr Dodwell said a cinema filled a gap in Hobsons Bay, particularly for younger people. “We have been chasing entertainment and a really good anchor for the centre that pitches into the desire to keep local people local,” he said. “We’ve been pushing for that for some time. “We think it’s a tremendous idea and we thought the idea was strong enough to present it to council and seek approval.” Mr Dodwell said upon completion, Millers Junction Retail would have about 13,700 square metres of shopping space including the supermarket and liquor store, specialty shops, large format retail showrooms, cinema, ‘quick service’ restaurants and a possible further 9000 square metre commercial and retail space proposed along Cabot Drive, which is subject to council approval. “We’ve always seen Altona as being a hub of activity,” Mr Dodwell said. “The key to it is to be honourable to its original roots as being an industrial precinct and to create an urban renewal of what was a formerly industrial precinct. “We have, for some time, been trying to respond to council’s desire to create more leisure and activity-based things for local residents to stay local.”
Acholly Arow has a firm message for all young people: never lose sight of your dreams. The Victoria University student was recently selected to represent her native South Sudan in the 2019 Miss International beauty pageant, to be held in Tokyo in November. “I have dreamt about representing South Sudan in the Miss International beauty pageant for quite a long time,” she said. “I am a firm believer in encouraging the youth to follow their dreams, no matter how much it scares them.” Ms Arow, 25, moved from South Sudan to Australia with her family at the age of eight. She became involved in beauty pageants in her teens to help build her confidence, finding a platform that has helped her highlight issues she is passionate about. The political science student has set her sights on tackling violence against women and hopes to one day take her place as a member of Parliament. “I think there should be more women at the decision-making table,” she said. Ms Arow paid tribute to her “loving family” for their support. “Thank you everyone for the love and support, it has been overwhelming and I’ll do my best to make you proud.” The 2019 Miss International pageant will be held November 12 in Tokyo, Japan. Benjamin Millar