Image Description: A photo of the intersection of Oxford St. and Newcastle St. on a bright, sunny day.
By Cameron Carr
Shall I compare Leederville to a summer’s day? No, cause that’s dumb. Leederville isn’t a lover to be personified or a season to be poeticised, it’s simply a place that makes me happy. Also, Iambic Pentameter is hard.
After finishing first year, I escaped the Golden triangle and moved from Claremont to Leederville. I live in Leederville for a few reasons, but mainly due to the fact it’s where my mortgage paying family is. Leederville’s on the train line, there’s loads of hospo jobs and people are free to be themselves. You have so many options for food and drink; from tapas at Pinchos to enjoying huge slices of cake at Greens & Co(ck). It’s also super affordable, with Luna Cinema having loads of discount deals and most cafés have reduced prices for keep cups.
But beyond being a somewhat cliché ‘hipster-esque’ urban neighbourhood, Leederville has a unique sense of community making it far greater than the sum of its parts. Street parties, community led ‘eco restorations’, and drumming groups are just a few things that create the identity of this place.
Unfortunately, like most places, Leederville has fallen upon some hard times. There has been a number of store closings, epitomised by the gone but never forgotten, Dome Leederville. I could write a whole sonnet about the once great café chain but alas, I cannot stress this fact enough, Iambic Pentameter is hard.
But despite hardships, Leederville goes on! If Australia is a cultural melting pot, then Leederville is the rich stew within. Walking down Oxford Street you could be anywhere in the world. The intersection of Oxford and Newcastle isn’t just a gathering place for coffee snobs and foodies; It’s a quirky little spot that feels truly alive and vibrant. It’s the pulsing heart of Perth.
Probably my favourite thing to do in my day to day life is to ‘people watch’. Not to sound too strange, but humans are fascinating. It’s not about looking normal or acceptable, I simply find the sheer dynasticism of people astonishing. The perception of people being normal or common is just an outdated notion nowadays, and just like people, no suburb is like another. But if you’re seeking a human zoo, this is the place to be!
I truly love the fact that Leederville is so diverse and welcoming. And at the end of the day, what’s a suburb without its colourful, caring and occasionally just bizarre people.
Image courtesy of Cameron Carr