Brunswick's Dark History

Brunswick is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, with a population of 24,896 as of the 2021 census. It is known for its bohemian culture, arts scene, and live music, as well as its large student population due to its proximity to universities. Brunswick has a rich history dating back to the 1830s when it was a working-class area with large Italian and Greek communities. Today, it is a diverse suburb with a variety of restaurants, bars, and cultural attractions.

In addition to its cultural significance, Brunswick has also been the site of several notable events. In 1933, it was the location of Free Speech campaigns led by members of the Unemployed Workers Movement, who faced harassment and suppression from the police. More recently, in 2004, Brunswick was in the news for several murders that Melbourne's media dubbed an underworld war.

Brunswick has also made its mark in popular culture, serving as the setting for the 1990 Australian film Death in Brunswick, which starred Sam Neill, Zoe Carides, and John Clarke.

The 1990 film *Death in Brunswick* was set and filmed in the suburb

Filming locations in Brunswick include 22 Nash Street, which was used as the setting for Carl's house, and Progress Cinema in nearby Coburg, Victoria. The film was shot from 15 January to 5 March 1990.

The film depicts a multicultural Australia, with Greek-Australian and Turkish-Australian characters, and explores themes of interracial relationships, revenge, and guilt. It grossed $2,725,169 at the Australian box office, making it the second-highest-grossing Australian film of the year.

The suburb of Brunswick has a rich history and is known for its diverse and vibrant community. It is home to a variety of restaurants, record stores, and artistic endeavours, including street art and local publications.

Brunswick is home to a large student population

Brunswick is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located 5km north of Melbourne's Central Business District. It is known for its bohemian culture, arts scene, and live music, and is home to a diverse community with a large student population.

Brunswick's student population is due in part to its proximity to the University of Melbourne and RMIT University, the latter of which has a campus in the suburb. The suburb is well-served by public transport, with three railway stations and five tram routes, making it easily accessible for students.

The total population of Brunswick was recorded as 24,896 in the 2021 census, and it is known for its vibrant and diverse community, including a large Italian and Greek presence. The suburb has a rich history, dating back to the 1830s when it was first settled by Assistant Surveyor Darke, and has since become a cultural hub, known for its restaurants, nightlife, and strong arts scene.

Brunswick is also known for its political activism, with a history of left-wing politics and "free speech" campaigns in the 1930s. The area continues to be a stronghold for the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens, with the latter making gains in recent years.

In addition to its student population, Brunswick is also home to a variety of social service agencies, community-based organisations, and asylum seeker and refugee services, such as the Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre and Foundation House. The suburb has a range of primary and secondary schools, as well as a campus of RMIT University, catering to its diverse population.

The suburb has a strong arts and live music scene

Brunswick, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, is known for its strong arts and live music scene. The suburb has a diverse community of artists, musicians, students, lefties, coffee nerds, and a large LGBTQ+ population.

Brunswick's major thoroughfare, Sydney Road, is lined with hip vintage stores, art galleries, bookshops, family-owned restaurants, pubs, and music venues. The suburb also encompasses the northern section of Lygon Street, known for its Italian community and restaurants.

The suburb offers a variety of live music venues, featuring local and international acts, such as The Howler, The Spotted Mallard, Rubix, The Jazzlab, and The Retreat Hotel. The annual Sydney Road Street Party and Brunswick Music Festival further showcase the suburb's musical talent.

In addition to its music scene, Brunswick is home to contemporary art galleries like Blak Dot Gallery, showcasing Indigenous artworks. The suburb also has a rich history of street art, with murals brightening up the streetscape.

With its eclectic mix of communities and vibrant cultural offerings, Brunswick's arts and live music scene thrives as a beloved aspect of the suburb's identity.

Brunswick is known for its bohemian culture

Brunswick, an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is known for its bohemian culture, strong arts scene, and vibrant live music. The suburb has a rich history dating back to the 1830s when it was first settled by Europeans. Today, it is a thriving hub of creativity and diversity, attracting artists, writers, musicians, and free-spirited individuals seeking an alternative lifestyle.

The bohemian culture in Brunswick is characterised by a departure from societal norms and conventions. The suburb has a large student population due to its proximity to universities, and a diverse range of residents with various ethnic backgrounds, including Italian, Greek, Maltese, Lebanese, Turkish, and others. This cultural melting pot fosters a vibrant and eclectic arts scene, with many musicians, writers, and artists calling Brunswick home.

The suburb's major thoroughfare, Sydney Road, is one of Melbourne's most prominent commercial and nightlife strips. It is home to a variety of restaurants, bars, and music venues, providing a platform for local artists and a gathering place for like-minded individuals. The Sydney Road Street Party, held annually in late February, is a testament to the area's vibrant energy, with a large portion of the road closed to traffic for the festival.

In addition to its thriving arts and music scenes, Brunswick also has a strong political undercurrent, with a history of left-wing activism and a stronghold of radical left-wing parties, socialists, and anarchists. The area has a reputation for social service agencies and organisations that support asylum seekers and refugees, reflecting the community's progressive values.

Brunswick's bohemian culture extends beyond the arts, embracing a range of unconventional lifestyles. The suburb has a rich history of brickworks and textile industries, and while these have declined, the spirit of creativity and innovation remains. The area is also known for its environmental initiatives, such as the community solar battery project, reflecting a commitment to sustainable practices.

Brunswick's bohemian character is further reflected in its diverse range of recreational activities. From soccer and cricket clubs to cycling paths and hockey grounds, the suburb offers a variety of unique experiences. The annual Sydney Road Street Party is a prelude to the Brunswick Music Festival, celebrating blues, roots, and world music.

In conclusion, Brunswick is known for its bohemian culture, embracing artistic expression, alternative lifestyles, and a departure from societal norms. The suburb's rich history, diverse community, and vibrant arts scene make it a unique and captivating place, attracting free-spirited individuals from all walks of life.

It was the site of an underworld war in 2004

Brunswick, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, was once the epicentre of the city's criminal underworld. In 2004, it was the site of an underworld war when crime patriarch Lewis Moran was gunned down by two men wearing balaclavas while having a drink at The Brunswick Club. The suburb has witnessed horrific murders, attempted underworld hits, mafia meetings, and major drug deals.

The crime epicentre has since moved from Brunswick to the north and west of Melbourne, with key players in the city's underworld seeking sanctuary in high-rise apartments in the inner city. However, Brunswick remains a significant location in the history of Melbourne's criminal underworld.

The suburb has a long history of criminal activity, with gangsters, bikies, and other heavies frequenting the pubs and bars. One retired police officer recalled having to do a walk-through at the old Bombay Rock in Sydney Road when The Angels were playing, describing the pub as "just crawling with crooks."

Today, Brunswick is undergoing gentrification, with an influx of hipsters, trendy cafes and wine bars, and families seeking more affordable housing close to the CBD. While the suburb may no longer be the ground zero of criminal activity, its past as the centre of Melbourne's underworld remains a part of its history.

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