Altona Gate — Attraction in Melbourne

For a 3 level shopping centre, it covers the essentials and a little more. However, when you walk in and realise there is 3 levels, one tends to think I could get more than 30mins shopping - about an hour if I was doing groceries. My immediate thought when I finished my walk through of the centre was, "even though there is a couple more shops (barely), it really felt not much more different to 'Sunshine Marketplace'. When I think of 'Altona Gate', I imagined a bit more class and and a busier centre. Unfortunately, when you do look around, my immediate thoughts was:- Old, needs a Reno. It seems to me that the centre management have worked hard at keeping the place running, as opposed to making improvements, just to keep it at the current (stale) level; Not enough natural light or needs more lighting (just seems a bit dull and lacking of life). This is where Sunshine Marketplace "outshines" Altona Gate(excuse the pun). Oddly, the more lighting the centre has, the fresher and "newer" the perception is; The basement floor feels lacking. I personally feel that there is a lot of wasted space, and plenty of potential to be had. I'm not sure of the reason, maybe there is not enough retail stores applying, or whether the Centre Management prefer the layout, but to me it seems like more could be done with this space; and lastly The stores in the centre feel 'out of place'. It feels as though there was no thought process to the layout of the placement of retail stores. It feels (to me anyway) like when an empty space becomes available, whomever pays for the space first, gets to set up shop at that location. Personally, I would have some of the basement level shops on the ground level - The level most people enter the Centre.

Wow! I was going to write a simple 3 sentence review, but it turns out, I am a little more passionate about this Centre than I thought. Lol If Centre management does read this, please don't think of this review as an attack, but rather a critique on the possible potential that could or may be missed out on. However, if this centre is like that by design, then congratulations, and I apologise - obviously not designed to my...

A Day at the Medical Clinic.

 RRecently, I had a frustrating experience at the Altona Shopping Centre, where I faced discrimination that took a toll on my mental health. Feeling overwhelmed, I decided to visit the medical centre at the shopping centre to see my regular doctor, who has known me for several assessments and reports.

I arrived early with my guide dog, Zeeba, and we waited in the clinic. When my name was called, the doctor inquired about my support worker, expecting someone to hold Zeeba in the waiting room.

I politely explained that I needed help, emphasizing that as a GP, she should be aware that some patients rely on guide dogs for support.

In response, the doctor recounted her own childhood experience with dogs, sharing how she had been bitten and how she instinctively pressed her hands against the wall to distance herself from the perceived threat. Her demeanor felt far from welcoming.

I reminded her that as a healthcare professional, she had sworn an oath to “do no harm” and to support her patients through their struggles, including navigating discrimination. I was invited in her room.

She then asked me why I was there that day. I explained that I was dealing with the stress of discrimination and that I often felt excluded from community spaces. Despite the tense interaction, at the end of the consult, she acknowledged how wonderful and well-behaved Zeeba was, noting that she hadn’t bitten or barked during our time in the room.

As I left, I couldn’t help but reflect on how, in 2024, I find myself as both an educator and a victim of discrimination. It’s disheartening to navigate a world that often feels unwelcoming, but I remain committed to advocating for myself and others facing...

Well, some info or signage to let arriving customers be aware of an unexpected closer of most of the ground floor, would have been a help... Arriving to do the weekly shop at Coles was a disappointment. To find the majority of stores had closed there doors.??! Why?! For how long?! Please explain!! I was turned away from Coles. No explanation, or Information of when it may reopen again?! To witness two fire trucks at the main front entrance was the best and only info that anyone received... Your guess is as good as mine!!! Defiantly no fire coz no smoke or smell of it...?? maybe the air conditioner went on the blink...putting all at risk of contracting the legionnaires illness.??. I know nothing about this except you get it from air conditioning ducts....?? Sorry if I'm wrong but I am just guessing (coz of no info released but what you could see yourself) so you just guess and assume...... But this all means that Ive gotta go home empty handed and come back tomorrow to attempt to do my shopping again!! Via public transport. How inconvenient for an elderly citizen... NOT HAPPY JAN.... Put it over the speakers rather than the radio. OR put up a sign or two with a brief of what's going on and for how...