This Week in the Market – 22 August 2023

The Melbourne Market must be an inclusive, respectful and welcoming environment where everyone feels safe and is treated with respect. We are a diverse community of people from many backgrounds, and forms of anti-social behaviour in the market, such as racism, sexism, discrimination, harassment, violence or bullying are unacceptable.

National safety regulations require the Market’s Emergency Warning System (EWIS) to be tested every five years, and the time has come for us to comply. Testing throughout the Buyers’ Walk (stores and level 1 offices) will be conducted next week on August 28, 29, and 30 from 7am – 10am. Given the nature of fire alarms, testing may be disruptive over the three days.

It is crucial that access to all tenancies is granted for testing to be completed. If access is denied, testing must be completed on another date which will cause further disruption to surrounding businesses and may incur a cost to the tenant.

Business Principals of affected tenancies have been contacted directly with further information and to arrange access.

If you have any questions about this testing, please contact the Help Desk on (03) 9258 6149 or workrequest@melbournemarket.com.au.

On Thursday, 24, Tuesday, 29 and Wednesday, 30 August, a photographer will be visiting the market from 4:30am to capture a behind-the-scenes look at what life at the Melbourne Market is like. We aim to capture the faces of the market, showcasing the diversity of the market and the fantastic array of fresh produce.

We aim to cause minimal disruption to your business operations. Please let us know if you see the MMA marketing team and photographer around the market and do not wish for your image to be captured.

The Market Advisory Committees will be coming together for a joint meeting on Thursday, 7 September. You can ask your advisory committee members to raise questions or ideas with the MMA.

Advisory committees work with the Melbourne Market Authority to advise on Market operations and the fresh produce industry matters. Committee members are a great source of information and advice for Market users. To find out who the members of the advisory committees are, please visit the MMA website.

Over the next few weeks, the MMA will be trialling surface coating for line marking on roads and trading stands. Some stands will be barricaded off during these trials, and we ask market users not to move the barricades or attempt to utilise the stands as this will compromise the trials.

Funds raised from the Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day go toward supporting DEBRA Australia, a charity that supports individuals, families and carers affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa – the worst disease you’ve never heard of.

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare disease whereby the skin blisters and peels at the slightest touch. Living with EB has been likened to living with third-degree burns. It is very painful, and sufferers must be bandaged every day with dressings to protect and medicate their wounds.

Click here to read Eliza’s story of living with EB and watch the video below to learn more about this terrible disease.

Click here for further information and to register.