Westfield Southland: Cheltenham shopping centre meet and greets

Some of the world’s biggest names, including Katy Perry, Ricky Martin and Hanson have visited Southland. Were you there?

Ricky Martin, Katy Perry and Gillian Anderson were some of the stars fans flocked to see at Southland.

These days the only thing people queue for at Southland is a Covid test.

But before the pandemic shuttered shopping centres across the country the Cheltenham Westfield was a popular stop for visiting stars promoting their latest project.

Southland has hosted some of the biggest names from the international pop scene, including Ricky Martin and Katy Perry.

Home grown talents such as The Veronicas, Bardot and Neighbours stars including Jason Donovan set hearts racing during appearances.

If you screamed for US boy band Hanson, fainted during X-Files star Gillian Anderson’s meet and greet or struck a pose for the Girlfriend model search you could be in our nostalgic photo gallery.

Neighbours fans waiting at Southland Shopping Centre to see actor and singer Jason Donovan 09 June 1989.

Almost a decade later the soap was still a hit and a new breed of young stars Brooke Satchwell and Dan Paris drew crowds to an autograph signing session at in July, 1998.

Hanson hysteria gripped the shopping centre when the band visited on August 2, 1997.

A meet and greet by X-Files star US actor Gillian Anderson was all too much for this fan, who had to be treated by paramedics after fainting.

Crowds packed the centre to wait for actor Gillian Anderson who visited while her TV show X-Files was trending.

Singer Marcia Hines popped in to help celebrate the opening of a music shop at the centre in April 1999.

Superstar Ricky Martin caused chaos when he met with adoring fans at the centre in 2013.

Fans queued for hours with their kids for a moment with Ricky Martin.

Ricky Martin at Southland shopping centre.

Southland was also a popular stop for Aussie acts on promotional tours. Bardot – featuring (L-R) Katie Underwood, Sally Polihronas, Belinda Chapple, Sophie Monk and Tiffany Wood visited on April 14, 2000. Picture: Craig Wood

Lisa and Jess from The Veronicas popped in to launch their new clothing range for Target.

Possibly the biggest star to appear at Southland was Katy Perry. Myer in partnership with Westfield presented Perry as part of her 2018 tour Witness. Fans Myrah Bijelic (left) and Kiona Maro were there to meet her. Picture: Josie Hayden

Katy Perry gathers some of her supporters, including Pypah Webber, Myrah Bijelic and Kiona Maro, for a quick snap. Picture: Josie Hayden

In 2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins walked the runway at Southland.

British fashion advisers Trinny and Susannah shared style tips at Southland for fans including Bronwyn Ling from the Latrobe Valley.

Trinny had plenty of women to make over during her appearance with Susannah at Southland.

Southland hosted the Girlfriend Rimmel Model Search in July, 2014. Seven girls were chosen to represent Victoria including (from left) Dechen Grenfell, Tay Rogers, Madison Abel, Isabelle hart, Meg thurston, Annelie Dejong and Olivia Coleman. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Girlfriend Model Search at Westfield Southland. Some of the hopefuls.

Georgia Wyllie, 14 from Tasmania and Melissa Wong, 15 from Ballarat were also among the runway rookies at Southland.

2008 winner of the Girlfriend model search Alanna Deutrom met some fans at Southland.

Footballer Ben Cousins met fans, including Dylan Lyons of Patterson Lakes, while promoting his Such is Life DVD.

Mentone’s Kane Bisogni showed off his Ben Cousins’s inspired ‘tattoo’ while meeting his idol at Southland

Tony ‘Plugger’ Lockett held a book signing at Southland and gave some little fans a special reading.