Orginally from Brighton in England, Andy Moutray-Read is now very much at home in the inner-west, serving as a chief executive, a director and a volunteer and wide variety of local businesses, foundations and not-for-profits. He tells Cade Lucas about his life in Maribyrnong.
What’s your connection to Maribyrnong?
I’ve lived in Maribyrnong since 2000, moving initially to Yarraville, then West Footscray and now Maidstone. I met my wife, Karen, in Yarraville and we brought our three kids up here, Stephanie, Sebastian and Sophie. They all attended West Footscray Primary School, and I became involved with the school council which I found very rewarding. I have been involved in the Seddon Community Bank since its inception, some 17 years ago. Initially as one of the founders, then the chair and now the chief executive, plus I’m involved with the Community Bike Hub, The Westsider Newspaper and Local Impact.
What do you like about living here?
I love way the inner-west community connects and supports each other. The sense of identity and place. Having lived all over Australia, I’m very proud to live here. When I initially arrived in Yarraville I felt a sense of belonging and a welcoming community that talked to each other. I think that people who move into the community are looking for something similar and therefore are open to connecting and helping each other. This helps makes us feel connected and some of the work I have been able to do through the Community Bank, Local Impact and its related entities has enabled me to connect with a wide range of diverse people and organisations. It’s very rewarding!
What, if anything, would you change about the area?
I think activating Footscray as a vibrant hub would be exciting. It has so much potential and culture that it’s a shame the diverse opportunity it holds has not been realised.
This includes the opportunity to activate unused spaces throughout the community. There are a number of empty shops and buildings that would benefit from the entrepreneurial spirit that resides in the community. How could landlords be encouraged to share their spaces with start-up enterprises and creative individuals to showcase the west?
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
I’m often found working out of coffee shops… I love the coffee culture here and will share my love between Brother Nancy in West Footscray, Tailor Made in Gamon Street and Alfa Bakehouse in Seddon. After work for an hour on a Friday is often spent at Charles and Gamon with our chair, Sarah, and branch manager, Ash, trying to solve the problems of the world!
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you
I’ve had a very full life, travelling and working in many industries including owning small businesses.
