I have documented Footscray for over a decade.
I created the hashtag #thisisfootscray in 2014, in response to my growing resentment for people’s misguided negative and fearful views of the place.
Terribly aged and unfounded opinions, perpetuated by the White lens via East vs West. Good vs Bad.
Footscray isn’t without its confrontations, as is expected from literally anywhere, but very rarely “dangerous” as assumed from afar.
The above images are some of my first posted officially under #thisisfootscray (now mostly archived).
Anyone who knows me can testify to my deep and unwavering adoration of Footscray, and the West at large.
It’s people, it’s landscape, it’s madness and uniqueness.
A truly rich tapestry sewn by its generations of migrant foundations, and historically notable centrality of Indigenous Community & Aboriginal Rights groups.
To witness the inevitable but hasty gentrification has been depressing and disheartening.
To witness what this has perpetuated in terms of demonising the homeless and mentally ill in particular, further inflamed by the rhetoric of being threatening because Bla(c)k, is nothing short of enraging.
There is in fact a great danger in our beloved Footscray and it is the growing police presence, infecting and provoking the community - actively assaulting and killing individuals who pose no legitimate or active threat, but who instead just require assistance from a society that failed them.
People need housing, access to health care and support services, with mental illness and addiction in particular.
Not guns in public spaces wielded by untrained, uneducated cowards.
Even us more privileged ones are feeling the weight and fear of cost of living, unregulated property leasing, a housing crisis and job shortage.
It is an unsettling time but nothing should make you more uncomfortable than the complete disregard for human safety, wellbeing and life our government insists upon.
F the police. #ACAB forever.
Tuesday 22nd we gather at Nicholson St, Footscray to honour and demand justice for our Brother unnecessarily and devastatingly killed by their bullets 💔
From “La puerta de oro de Colombia”, where our magazine was born, we’ve managed to connect with a project that’s currently based in Melbourne, and it continues to surprise us. From La Arenosa to Melbourne, Australia: that’s been the journey of this incredible initiative.
That’s why we decided to interview @tocn , the co-owner of @elgranmono.pico , and learn a bit more about the story behind this project. Because for Megáfono Magazine, the sound system is resistance: from Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat Sound System to the Caribbean coasts of Colombia.
Who is Tom? Tom Noonan is a Melbourne-based producer, engineer, and sound system builder with over two decades of experience in music. He is the co-founder of El Gran Mono, the first picó built outside Colombia, blending Afro-Caribbean sounds with local energy. The project has toured major festivals and was featured at the 2024 Biennale of Sydney. That same year, he launched New Flower, a sound system inspired by vintage audio and Japanese listening bar culture. His work connects cultures through sound and collaboration.
Thank you for giving us the pleasure of having you as allies of our e-zine. Like a speaker, may we continue amplifying voices together.
Opening Pic by @meaty
#mgfmagv4 #elgranmono #rubadubstyle #superape #pico #picotero #soundsystem #soundsystemculture #picosoundsystem #soundsystemaddict #bassculture #bassline #soundengineer #soundboy #soundman #soundmanlife #soundsystemlife #soundsystemlovers #soundcheck #theonlygoodsystemisasoundsystem #paoftheday #rigclash #elgranmonomelb #elgranmono #africano #afrolatin #africolombia #barranquilla #cartagena #santamarta
JUST ANNOUCED! New Flower is heading back to @oldplaterecordbar on Saturday 21 June for HOPES & DREAMS with a very special line-up in celebration for our good friend @meaty 🌹
Joining us for this incredible FREE party are some of our favourite selectors @kobra_3000_official , @ethanmanchild , @jumpz1 , @wallacbeats , @madrhythm_ , @maimonroy22 - all bringing the heat through the full vintage high-fidelity sound system 🌹
Do not miss this special show in such an intimate space. Plan to arrive early 🌹
HOPES & DREAMS
Feat. @kobra_3000_official@ethanmanchild@jumpz1@wallacbeats@madrhythm_@maimonroy22
Saturday 21 June 2025
Old Plates Record Bar
384 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
6pm till late FREE ENTRY
Art 🎨 @yodax____
#jbl #jbl4520 #jbl4560 #jbl2205 #jbl2220 #jbl2441 #jbl2405 #jbl2390 #vintagejbl #vintagejblspeaker #soundsystem #soundsystemculture #soundsystemaddict #bassculture #soundengineer #soundboy #soundman #soundmanlife #soundsystemlife #soundsystemlovers #soundcheck #theonlygoodsystemisasoundsystem #paoftheday #rigclash
CARIBE CARNAVAL SYDNEY with El Gran Mono for @sydneyfringe 🌿
Photo 📸 @meaty of @dance_afrolatin and @bazuka_pro
CARIBE CARNAVAL merges both the rich history of the Colombian picó sound system culture with the energy of one of the country’s most important folkloric celebrations, and was curated by @oscar_jimenez_music in partnership with El Gran Mono 🐊🦍
#pico #picotero #soundsystem #soundsystemculture #picosoundsystem #soundsystemaddict #bassculture #bassline #soundengineer #soundboy #soundman #soundmanlife #soundsystemlife #soundsystemlovers #soundcheck #theonlygoodsystemisasoundsystem #paoftheday #rigclash #elgranmonomelb #elgranmono #africano #afrolatin #africolombia #sydneyfringe #sydneyfringe23
