This would be the path along the beach where I walk morning and afternoon.  It makes my feel better for the day exercising and seeing those who walk the walk.  I have taken many photo shots and this is one of them.  The day is warm and the path is clear what more could you ask for.  Absolute Bliss.
By Chris

Roy reflected on the bygone years and said there were two instances of his family presence in Port Melbourne. In the 1860’s his great grand- parents had travelled via a sailing vessel, from Ireland to Australia.  The vessel landed in Station Pier which is today an entry point for millions of visitors, from the gateway for the luxury liners and the daily Spirit of Tasmania ferry. The great grand- parents were transferred to a naval vessel where they embarked on a journey to Warrnambool.  In Warrnambool they had a 700 acres property.

In the late 1940’s his sister and her husband bought property in Liardet St, close to Bay Street, for 800 pounds—with his uncle’s assistance.  Her husband used to commute to work in Essendon. Next to the property was a strip of land that was vacant and after seven years they were able to claim it as their own.  The house had a brick frontage but was in disrepair, so the couple later moved down the road to property on the beach. In the 1950’s, Roy used to visit the cinema on the corner of Bay Street and Liardet Street, with his sister.
by Barbara
Photo by David N

 Port Melbourne to me has been the era my husband and I had children and really started to connect with the local community.  With three children and a black Labrador, Bronte, life in Port is full of diverse connections. Pregnant with my first child, I suddenly noticed how many other women were pregnant and had prams. Connections were pushed upon me. l was like a cog in a system. Through our terrific maternal health system, I was allocated a mothers group —19 Port Melbourne mums and 21 new babies. They were to become my lifeline, my connection, the beginning of my zest for my community.
As I jump forward 10 years to today, those mums are still close.
Our kids go to primary school together, we help each other out with sporting and activity drop offs and picks ups, and try to catch up a couple of times a year for a good belly laugh at what life dishes up to us all.
Getting involved in the school Parent Friends Association, volunteering to be a class representative (for communications between parents and teacher) on the kinder or childcare committees, gets you into the thick of it. Simple conversations start. It allows you to meet your children's friends, set up play-dates in the park and before long, you realise there are things in common and friendships develop.
I find sitting around and waiting for children at dancing lessons, footy practice, gymnastics classes, netball sessions, ultimately leads me to chatting with someone I have not met before.
Now that I have been elected as a Councillor for Port Phillip, I have been exposed to other communities. There are so many community groups that work hard to make this place a better and more welcoming space to be such as the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society, TwoSchoolsNow and SHIP. Others who are just as passionate about areas within Port Melbourne include the traders association, BCNA (Beacon Cove), Port People and Garden City, to name a few.
I have always been an active community minded person, and telling my story of my life interactions through my children, is possibly very similar to many in the community and just goes to show how lucky we are to have such a great, welcoming and connected place.
By Bernadene Voss

  Dawn. The beauty of Port Melbourne at a particular time of day.
By Simon

 David is a local who serves the Port Melbourne community through his pizza and gardening businesses, which are growing steadily by word of mouth. He has provided mobile wood fired pizzas to Port Melbourne Primary School and Port Melbourne Auskickers on many occasions.
David's philosophy is 'giving back to the local community,' which is the true essence of the Port Melbourne people.
david@eventwoodfiredpizza.com.au
by Michelle 

Joshua is a happy, 7 years old boy, who attends the Port Phillip Specialist school.  He likes to play with beads on a string and watch his sister play on the Port Melbourne Primary school  playground equipment, after school.
By Michelle

 The ball rolls off the court and stops at our feet, briefly unheeded.  For a split-second all on court wait, expectantly.  Then the whistle blows and we’re taken away from our friendly chatter and return the ball to play.  The game goes on …
Since migrating straight to Port as a family, we haven’t lived anywhere else, and we can’t see any reason to move.  Our daughter plays netball for the school, and now we have the PM Netball Club, where we meet regularly.  I love the broad mix of types we meet, all friendly and engaging.  There’s the dad who works for a think-tank, always wry and witty.  A dad who’s a builder—cheerful and buoyant.  Soulful mum—thoughtful and knowing.  Sportsmum—a powerhouse on the scene.
All great examples of the friendly and welcoming community we call home.
The siren goes. Change of places. Last quarter. The game goes on … 
by David

The familiar smell of Bay Street: like the sea. I go into Coles for my weekly shop. First I smell the bakery; a good smell—where I buy my white, crust bread. The staff are always friendly. Now I head into Coles. I go to the Deli. It smells pretty good too. Coles always sounds busy, sometimes there’s music, and it’s not too bad. I get my bacon and head along the aisles.
I sometimes see people I know and say G’day. Sometimes when I want to feel good, and feel like a treat, I buy Tim tams.
When I get to the fruit and veggies I notice all the different colours, especially the greens. I get the things I need, like bananas, apples, potatoes and peas.
Sometimes I’ll talk with the person at the checkout, and then I push my trolley home. It’s good to get good food to see some people I know. I feel happy after my weekly trip to Coles.
by Trevor

Kylie used to work at a chemist on Bay St for 12 years and has been working at South Port UnitingCare Kindergarten for the past 3 years.
Kylie says, “ I like to ride on my motorbike  with my son at the back, along Beach Road.
By Michelle