For many of us this place is our home away from home. Whether it's rollerskating, skateboarding, or performing arts, it has become a sanctuary of artistic expression. Many of us have made life-long friends and built a true community from the ground up. We have taught each other and looked out for each other. For some of us it is also our therapy and is vital to the well-being of so many Melburnians. It is one of the few places left in Melbourne that we can express ourselves and foster an amazingly diverse and artistic community. We do the work to create this community and are calling on the council to help the community not only survive, but thrive. 

We are calling for the following:

• 1) Resurfacing of the surfaces around the Museum area (where we skate), the use of heavy machinery for exhibitions has seen the surface degrade rapidly in the last few years and has become a severe hazard to skaters;
• 2) Either remove and discontinue installation of 'anti skate' devices on ledges or install purpose built ledges or obstacles for skateboarders (e.g. ledges, funboxes, railing, etc.)
• 3) Discontinue playing music over loudspeakers intended to dissuade the community from performing their expression.
• 4) Establish or designate a liaison / contact within the council or appropriate body that can serve as an ongoing contact point for representatives of the skating and artistic community of the museum to voice their needs and to establish a working relationship with the council.

Skaters and artists at Melbourne Museum bring the city a huge amount of artistic expression which Melbourne prides itself on. We also value our space, look after each other and keep the place safe, we do not tolerate violence, discrimination, vandalism, littering, etc..We are an asset to the city and should be seen as an important part of its cultural diversity that can not, and should not be ignored. Tourists to Melbourne love seeing how diverse and creative we are. Please don't squander this opportunity to ensure arts in Melbourne not only survives, but thrives! Taking action on these items in addition to establishing a working relationship with the local artists will ensure Melbourne stays a hub of art into the future.