MOVING house is not much fun. Coordinating freight, transferring addresses, calling in favours and generally being unsettled within an upheaval.
But once you're in the new place- it's pretty exciting.
That could be one way of looking at the new Melbourne Market at Epping.
The move from Footscray Road to the new facility has a history that extends past a decade.
That rocky road is perhaps why people are appreciating it all the more now that they are in.
New wholesale trading centres don't happen very often. Just take a look at the construction dates of the other major markets and you'll understand.
While it would be near impossible to have everyone in 100 per cent unison on the layout and general decision of the Melbourne Market, it should be something of pride for the Australian fresh produce industry as a whole.
It shows that, despite their addiction to cost cutting major supermarket chains, Australians value their fresh produce.
There is enough value placed on it to upgrade a facility to be cutting edge, ready to be a flagship example of what can be done through a modern central markets system.
This isn't to say that the other markets are falling apart or aren't up to task.
In fact, it's suggesting the opposite, that the Australian central markets system is still a valuable and key component of the horticulture sector.
As with any of the markets, there is a community that thrives within it, made up of the individuals working side by side, often more like a family than a business.
They squabble, whinge about each other, taunt and shove but they also celebrate together, support one another and are quick to defend those "outside the circle" that would scoff at the family.
There is a special bond between those who greet each other at 4:30am.
It would be easy to linger in the memories of yesterday and the perception of how "life was better at the old place" but that's not the Australian fresh produce industry mindset.
It embraces the future, develops with it, adjusts to the challenges and makes it work so it's stronger than before.
So congratulations to those behind the relocation and establishment of the Melbourne Market- you do the industry proud. - ASHLEY WALMSLEY, editor.
