Why Melbourne really is the events capital of Australia

As we wrap up Melbourne Fashion Week and (hopefully) head in to some warmer spring weather, it’s timely to reflect on how fortunate we are to have such an incredible events calendar: one that would rival any city in the world.

When I first became lord mayor, one of the first tasks I set myself was to improve the events that Melbourne knows and loves.

Look at the success we’ve just had with Melbourne Fashion Week when fashionistas turned out in their droves (what is the collective of fashionistas? A drama? A Lagerfield?), even though the weather was miserable, to more than 150 events; most of them free.

Melbourne Fashion Week is so important to our local industry because 85 per cent of the content, whether that’s designers, models, students, retailers, volunteers and talent, is from Melbourne or Victoria. The thing I love most about it is that you can see it on the runway, you can try it on in one of our stores and you can buy it and wear it that night.

Another example is Moomba: it’s gone from something quite pathetic and daggy to a blockbuster that attracts 1.3 million people.

We have just had our first Yirramboi: a celebration of Indigenous culture which has really made people around the world sit up and pay attention to it. We also have Melbourne Music Week which deliberately showcases the smaller, more interesting musicians and is enjoyed by around 50,000 people.

The City of Melbourne’s investment of $10 million in premier events attracts hordes of people to Melbourne for the Australian Open, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Melbourne Comedy Festival, the Formula One Australian Grand Prix and the famous Melbourne Cup Carnival to name just a few more.

We are only weeks away from the AFL grand final parade (Go Cats!) when we expect 160,000 people in the street to cheer on their heroes as footy fever hits town. It’s great for our retailers and hospitality industry as we welcome visitors from all over the nation. More than $62 million was spent in our municipality during the 2016 finals.

• Related: Robert Doyle’s idea of a great night out
• Related: What world’s most liveable city means
• Related: Why Queen Victoria Market must develop or die

Before we know it, we will be dusting off the tinsel for our Christmas festivities and we try to make Christmas as family-friendly and accessible as we can. The Gingerbread Village has become a must see and raised $28,606 for charity last year.

In the Bourke Street mall, there will be the Christmas bells and of course the Myer windows and watch out for something special this year around the Christmas tree because we can no longer use City Square due to Melbourne Metro works. But we are Melbourne: we will find a way to celebrate!

Then we prepare for New Year’s Eve where the fireworks display is as spectacular as any you will see around the world. Anywhere you can see the skyline you will see the fireworks and we get around 400,000 people into the city every year to delight in it.

The City of Melbourne’s support for premier and community events enables them to include free or low-cost elements, which means everyone can enjoy them and our city businesses are stimulated with additional patronage.

So please enjoy all the city has to offer as the weather warms up (hopefully).

Robert Doyle is a regular Domain columnist. His fee this month will be donated to Salvation Army Major Brendan Nottle’s Walk for the Homeless.