Footscray resident Sanda Aye has become a stalwart of the west since moving five and a half years ago, taking part in the Reaching Out in the Inner Footscray and the Maribyrnong River Rubbish Club volunteer groups. Coming from Burma and having lived in Malaysia and the USA, she tells Matthew Sims she has well and truly taken root in Footscray.
What is your connection to Maribyrnong and Hobsons Bay?
I have lived in Footscray for now five and a half years and absolutely love my place in life here. Prior to moving to the west, whenever I got bored with the Yarra River and the Yarra River Trail, I would come over to the Maribyrnong River to kayak or cycle, so I am familiar with this stretch of river and value very much what it offers.
What do you love about where you live?
I love the diversity, the proximity to the CBD, the emerging groovy bars, cafes, restaurants and the strong sense of community.
How has your passion for the west informed your life and work?
It gives me immense satisfaction to be involved with a number of community projects such as Reaching Out in the Inner Footscray run by Randa Beiroti who puts full time energy and beyond into providing meals, produce and other necessities once a week on Monday evenings at the Nicholson Mall to anyone in need. I have been involved with AMES’s newly arrived refugees, asylum seekers in orientation, settlement and teaching English through conversation. I also volunteer at Back to School, which is a program of the Les Twentyman Foundation which provides educational resources, text books, stationary and more to students and their families. It gives me form, function and meaning in life.
How has your life in other countries and in other occupations made you appreciate where you are now in your life?
I grew up in Burma and lived in Malaysia and the USA before moving to Australia and living in Sydney, Cairns and Collingwood. I now call Footscray home. Melbourne has been a game changer in my life where many great opportunities came into fruition. I have always wanted to give something back and now that I am retired, I am able to do so with enormous joy.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
Where else but the river, of course. The river is where I met Neil, my Maribyrnong River Rubbish Club co-organiser and now one of my best mates. I also love visiting the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre, where I met a beautiful group of women who are now firmly entrenched in my life and are part of my very important social hub.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
I love, love, love classical music!
