Westfield Doncaster: Shopping centre marks 50th anniversary milestone
Shoppers are sharing their memories of Westfield Doncaster as the centre gears up to celebrate its 50th birthday. And we’ve pulled decades of photos from our archives — take a look at “Shoppo” through the years.
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Plenty has changed across the decades since Westfield opened its flagship Doncaster store in 1969 but Shoppingtown as it was once known remains as popular as ever.
Shoppers are sharing their memories of Westfield Doncaster as centre management gets ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its opening.
Plans include the unveiling of a timeline installation celebrating the history of the centre and a memory wall where people are encouraged to share their recollections of days spent at Westfield.
The centre has already been calling out memories on Facebook and have had some great ones, including a woman going into labour on the escalators, first kisses, people meeting their husbands and plenty more.
Isabella Relva wrote: “My mum went into labour with me on the escalators back in ‘99”.
Sally-Ann Bentley remembered: “My Nan used to take me my six siblings and three cousins there in the late 60s and 70s during school holidays to watch the pantomimes. I remember as a 4, 5, 6-year-old being so excited to spend that time all together”.
While Sharyn Lanham recounted meeting her now husband at the High Society Nightclub in 1989: “Thirty years later and two gorgeous kids, we all visit Westfield regularly”.
The centre has constantly evolved with the latest $500 million renovation plans to include a new level two dining precinct, expanded commercial and retail floor space, and a possible 14-storey gateway tower.
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A $90 million extension to Westfield Doncaster was controversial when it was announced in 1992.
Celebrities to visit the centre while in Melbourne include famously foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay and fashion queen Paris Hilton.
The 50th anniversary celebration will take place on October 5 and 6.
Across the weekend a pop-up dessert bar will be available, with customers who spend $50 receiving a choice of a white chocolate crackle, pavlova or a mini doughnut.
They can then choose their golden topping of caramel popcorn with gold dust, chocolate soil with gold rocks or gold chocolate sauce.
Myer is also celebrating the milestone, with an installation of five decades of fashion starting with the 1970s through to today.
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