The Age photos of the week from May 4, 2024, showcase a variety of events and issues captured by the newspaper’s staff photographers and regular contributors. Highlights include Jim and Maria’s Sunbury house burning down due to a lithium pool cleaner battery explosion, the need for more funding to expand the OPP’s court dog program, and the National Rally Against Violence calling for an end to violence against women. Other photos show the State Liquor Unit chasing illegal alcohol bootleggers, people protesting at the Palestine encampment at Melbourne University, and Premier Jacinta Allan appearing before the Yoorrook Justice Commission as the first leader in Australia’s history to do so.
Additionally, there are pictures of Braybrook resident and public housing advocate Lucy Cuzzupe highlighting the issue of vacant public housing units in the suburb, Andrew Eriksen, the CEO of the General Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, at Fawkner Memorial Park in Melbourne, and a homeless woman using drugs on Hosier Lane. The disappointment over the Allan government’s decision not to provide another safe injecting room in the city is also captured, as well as the owners of Umberto Espresso Bar opening Prova, a more refined dining experience for select customers. Pro-Palestinian protestors at the University of Melbourne, including Nabil Hassine, are shown inside their tent, and the Palestine camp is encircled by Jewish groups on campus.
Other images feature author Alexis Wright, Debra Sykes with her curbside charging station in St. Kilda, Premier Jacinta Allan attending the National Rally Against Violence in Melbourne, and Patricia Ilhan among the scaffolding of her new home in Brighton. Allison Sigmund and her granddaughter Elsie Harris are photographed at Melbourne Airport after Bonza Airlines flights were cancelled. Conservation and land officer Cody McCormack is shown at a treatment plant where an American golden plover has somehow found itself off-course, and friends and family leave Hannah McGuire’s funeral in Ballarat. Djiri Djiri dancers perform before Monday’s Yoorrook hearing, and an inquiry into road safety has called for a review of Victoria’s speed limits, which has been welcomed by Coburg locals like Cate Hall.
In conclusion, The Age’s photos of the week provide a snapshot of various events, issues, and moments from May 4, 2024. From personal tragedies like house fires to political statements like Premier Jacinta Allan’s appearance before the Yoorrook Justice Commission, these images capture a range of emotions and experiences. The ongoing struggles of public housing residents, the push for safer drug consumption spaces, and the advocacy for women’s safety are all depicted. With a mix of protests, cultural celebrations, and personal stories, these photos offer a glimpse into the diverse and dynamic city of Melbourne.
