True West means different things to different people. For Woodlea, True West is all about being real. Woodlea is made up of real people, with real experiences who make real connections within a diverse but close-knit community.

The notion of True West extends beyond Woodlea, so we teamed up with film production company Wildebeest to find out what it means to the West.

We all connect with people by sharing stories. We reached out to people from different backgrounds and walks of life to learn about their stories and what the west means to them.

As part of a larger True West content series, we’re exhibiting the four stories with you in the coming weeks. We hope you enjoy these stories as much as we have. Learn more about their stories below.

Real people, real experiences, real connections - We are True West

Anu Patel - Artist

Anu was born in India, and before finding herself in Australia had lived in Africa, Uganda and The UK. She lives in Bacchus Marsh and loves it as a base for everything she needs out of a home.

Anu’s journey is the hook – her life story is rich, and that personifies the people you can find in the West.

Read more about Anu and watch her story below.

Hamed Allahyari - Refugee, Owner - Cafe Sunshine

Hamed’s story is an incredible personal journey. A heartfelt story of fleeing Iran as a refugee, and ending up with a restaurant in Sunshine. There is no shortage of twists and turns along the way, and ultimately where he is now is truly inspiring.

Hamed is now the proud owner of a cafe specialising in Persian delicacies, operating as Cafe Sunshine during the daytime trading hours, and as Salama Tea Restaurant during the evenings. Hamed has a focus on sustainability and actively limits his impact on the environment, while having a goal to help and support other asylum seekers and refugees for a chance to begin their new lives in Australia.

Read more about Hamed and his journey below.

Mineiro - Former World Cup Footballer

Carlos Luciano da Silva, nicknamed Mineiro, is a Brazilian former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Mineiro made his international debut in April 2001 against Peru. He won the Campeonato Paulista in 2004 and 2005, playing for São Caetano and São Paulo, respectively, and also won, playing for São Paulo, the Copa Libertadores de América and the FIFA Club World Championship in 2005.

In 2019, Mineiro relocated to Australia with his wife Daiane, and three beautiful children, Juan Pablo, Giovanna & Jonathan. They are local residents of the Woodlea estate in Aintree, where they plan to live indefinitely.

Mineiro’s passion and love of soccer, puts him at the forefront of helping others to build skills through sport, creating opportunity and confidence to learn and grow. He plans to help forge local soccer groups for the community, and greater Western corridor.

Will & Jack - Bean Smuggler Cafe

Jack was born in Korea, and moved to Australia on his own when he was about 20.

He started his cafe Bean Smuggler in Point Cook, and are expanding to have multiple cafes in the West. He runs the cafe with Will (front/coffee) and Tom (cook) who have also grown up in the West and are passionate about Melbourne’s West.

Beansmuggler is a small cafe that’s simple – exceptional speciality coffee, and tasty, left-of-field food that set them apart and places them a cut above many of the othersame old same old brunch offerings in Melbourne.

Read more about their story below.

Do you have a story to tell?

Do you have a story to tell?

If you, or someone you know that has a connection to the West – have a story to share – we’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch