My favourite memories of Galleria will always be the ones I shared with my nana, who has just turned 100 years old. About ten years ago, we’d regularly head to Galleria together and make a whole day of it. There was never any agenda or rush. We’d wander through the shops, stop to look at things that caught our eye, and somehow always end up with more bags than we planned! Nana loved a bargain and was convinced she could spot a sale from a mile away.

The best part was never really the shopping. It was sitting down together afterwards for a cup of tea and a treat, chatting away for hours. She’d tell stories from her younger days, I’d fill her in on life, and we’d laugh over the little things. Looking back now, those ordinary afternoons became some of the most extraordinary memories. Galleria was where we bought birthday presents, Christmas gifts and little surprises for family. Nana always put so much thought into everyone else and took such joy in choosing the perfect gift. She made even the simplest outings feel special. At the time, I didn’t realise just how precious those days were.

Now, with Nana celebrating the incredible milestone of 100 years, I find myself thinking back to those trips often. I can still picture us strolling through the centre together, arm in arm, chatting and enjoying each other’s company. To most people, Galleria might just be a shopping centre. To me, it’s a place filled with love, laughter and memories with one of the most important people in my life. Ten years on, those moments with my nana are worth more than anything we ever bought, and they’re memories I’ll treasure forever.

Moving to Australia was a life-changing experience, and Galleria played a bigger part in that journey than I ever could have imagined. Not long after arriving, I was at Galleria pushing my young son in his stroller when I stopped at the Clinique Service Centre for a foundation colour match. What started as a simple shopping trip turned into a conversation that changed the course of my career. The consultant asked if I would be interested in working as a casual team member for 15 hours a week, and I said yes.

That opportunity became my first step into retail in Australia. More importantly, it was where I began building my Australian network, forming friendships and creating a sense of belonging in a new country. When the Clinique Service Centre eventually closed, I moved on to work at Myer, and many of the colleagues I met during those early years remain dear friends today. Some of my favourite memories are the simple ones. Every Thursday night, my colleague Leanne and I would order a Jamaica Blue hot chocolate - with marshmallows, of course. It became our little late night trade ritual and to this day, no hot chocolate quite tastes the same!

Since then, I have continued to grow my career, progressing through the retail ranks and taking on leadership roles across other businesses. Looking back, it is incredible to think that it all started with a chance conversation at Galleria. For many people, Galleria is a place to shop. For me, it is where my Australian journey began - a place filled with memories, opportunities, friendships, and the start of a career that has shaped my life.

If you grew up around Morley Galleria in the late 90s/early 2000s, you’ll understand… the Galleria wasn’t just a shopping centre. It was basically our teenage headquarters. I spent a ridiculous amount of time there after school — first as a customer with absolutely no money, then as an employee at Boost Juice from age 16, and later working at Jay Jays. I basically lived there.

I knew every shop, every corner, and probably every person who worked there. I remember walking past Tutti Frutti wishing I had enough money to actually buy something instead of just staring at all the things I wanted. Teenage me thought a $20 shopping trip would change my life. There were the classic hangs at Leisure Island with my best friend and our boyfriends, movie marathons, and going to see 10 Things I Hate About You like it was a cultural event (because honestly… it was). My cousin’s cousin worked at Kebab Co and we had the ultimate teenage economy — swapping a kebab for a Boost Juice. Forget cryptocurrency… this was the real trading system.

Any money I did earn quickly disappeared at Brothers Neilson and Waves, buying clothes that I was convinced were essential to my identity. The Galleria was where we hung out, flirted, ate questionable amounts of food, spent money we didn’t have, and made memories that somehow feel like yesterday. Peak teenage life: no social media, no Uber Eats, no idea what we were doing… just wandering around the Galleria with our friends and thinking we were absolutely living.

One of my favourite memories at Galleria was when I was about six or seven years old, during the 2005 school holidays. There was a giant trampoline with bungee harnesses set up where the Coffee Club used to be, just outside Myer.

I desperately wanted to have a turn, and after plenty of convincing, my dad finally agreed, but only on the condition that we kept it a secret from Mum, who was shopping somewhere else in the centre and would have been far too worried to let me go. After a few bounces, I found myself high enough to see the second level of the shopping centre. Looking across, I locked eyes with Mum, who was staring back at me with a mixture of shock, surprise, and disbelief.

Needless to say, our little secret didn’t last very long! More than 20 years later, it’s still a story that makes my family laugh whenever it comes up. It’s a simple memory, but one that perfectly captures the family moments that we have been having at the Galleria for years and making it such a special place.

My favourite memory of Galleria is spending weekends there with my family. It was never just a shopping centre — it was a place where we could spend quality time together. We would browse the stores, enjoy a coffee or a meal, and take our time exploring everything Galleria had to offer. One memory that stands out is during the holiday season.

The centre was beautifully decorated, creating a festive atmosphere that made every visit feel special. Seeing the Christmas displays, shopping for gifts, and watching the excitement on children’s faces made the experience memorable. It became a family tradition to visit Galleria each year and enjoy the holiday spirit together. I also have fond memories of meeting friends there. Galleria was always a convenient and welcoming place to catch up, whether it was over lunch, a movie, or simply wandering through the shops. It was a place where everyday moments turned into lasting memories.

What I love most about Galleria is the sense of community it creates. It brings people together — families, friends, and locals — and provides a space where people can relax, connect, and enjoy themselves. Even a simple shopping trip often became an enjoyable outing. For me, Galleria represents more than shopping. It represents family time, friendships, celebrations, and the many small moments that make life special. That’s why my visits there remain some of my happiest memories.

When the Galleria first opened, I was 15 years old, and it quickly became the place to be. Growing up in the area, I got to experience what felt like a true teenage rite of passage — spending Saturdays at the shopping centre with my friends. After carefully saving my hard-earned pocket money, my girlfriends and I would meet up and spend hours wandering through the stores. We’d check out the latest fashions, try on outfits we couldn’t always afford, and sometimes treat ourselves to a new top for the next weekend’s party. It wasn’t just shopping; it was where memories were made.

A trip to the movies at Greater Union was always a highlight. Walking across that famous star-patterned carpet made every visit feel special, and seeing the latest releases with friends was something we looked forward to. My fondest Galleria memory, though, was buying my very first CD from Sanity. For music-loving teenagers in the 1990s, Sanity was the ultimate destination, packed with the latest albums at prices we could actually afford. The CD I chose was Triple J’s Hottest 100, a double CD and I still have it today. Every time I hear those songs, I’m instantly transported back to those carefree teenage years.

The Galleria wasn’t just a shopping centre, it was our social hub. Long before smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity, it was where we met, laughed, shopped, and created memories together. It represented freedom, independence, and the excitement of growing up. More than 30 years later, the Galleria remains a treasured part of my teenage years, and the memories I made there are ones I’ll always cherish.