Mohan Abdul, a lifelong Whitechapel resident, expressed feelings of terror over the St George's flags, interpreting their display as a racist assertion against multiculturalism in the borough. He stated, 'They are making it quite clear they are racist, the flags make me feel like they are trying to extend their [idea]. We live in a multicultural society.' His strong emotional response suggests a perceived threat to acceptance and unity in the community.
The aromas—some familiar, some entirely new—drifted past me. Music played from different corners. People chatted in languages I half-recognised, others I couldn't place at all.
Its oval form and round windows break away from the rigid geometry of the surrounding urban blocks. This building curves like the nearby Georges River it's inspired by, creating a gentle pull for people to step inside.
While Australia has been inhabited by Aboriginal peoples for at least 65,000 years, the first European settlers arrived in 1788, with the first Chinese following just 30 years later.