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Jack's Reloaded

Renew Projects: Jack’s Reloaded

The Jack’s Reloaded project began in November 2016 with a view to activating a group of disused spaces within the Jack’s Magazine heritage precinct.

Hidden away on the banks of the Maribyrnong River and surrounded by leafy parks, the imposing bluestone walls, magazines and earth mounds of Jack’s Magazine have connections to turning points in Victoria’s history and industrial past. The Jack’s Reloaded project was the first step in bringing a new lease on life for this unique and challenging site.

Still very much an industrial site, Renew Australia and Working Heritage focused the Jack’s Reloaded project on the external buildings easily accessed, outside and bordering the imposing bluestone wall.

This initiative was an important first step in breathing new life into Jack’s Magazine, which has remained dormant since it was decommissioned in the early 1990s. The program activated the loading dock, shed and the ammunitions store, by incubating short-term uses with creative enterprises and independent local initiatives.

Jack’s Reloaded began as a Renew Australia managed project and then transitioned to an affiliate program managed by Working Heritage.

Jack’s Reloaded Alumni

Johnny Brixton

Shayne Hood aka ‘Johnny Brixton’, has been variously involved in the Melbourne creative arts scene since 2011 as a photographer, filmmaker and poet, but through his role as a youth ...

Timber Shack

The Timber Shack makes rustic furniture from recycled timber otherwise destined for landfill.

Sawdust Bureau

Sawdust Bureau is an award-winning furniture studio specialising in the design and making of contemporary, bespoke and limited edition furniture made from only 100% Australian native timbers.

Project Partners

Jack’s Reloaded Testimonials

Collaborating closely with Renew Australia to activate a disused former industrial facility has been an incredibly valuable experience. We’ve seen great outcomes for our organisation, the site and creative practitioners. On a sometimes challenging and unusual project their expertise and enthusiasm has been absolutely key.

- , Jack's Reloaded
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Securing a tenancy as part of the Renew programme has allowed my business to grow organically in an inspiring space surrounded by other like-minded creative enterprises.

- Sawdust Bureau, Jack's Reloaded
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The pogramme is awesome! Repurposing and activating these old buildings and providing small business with workshops and spaces to operate from is an excellent way of utilising these great buildings. The support is fantastic and hugely appreciated!

- Timber Shack, Jack's Reloaded
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Renew Australia/Jack’s Magazine have created a brilliant platform for emerging artists. I am forever grateful for what they have done for me as an artist. They have been extremely supportive from day one and I think I am very lucky to be apart of the Jack’s Magazine program.

- Johnny Brixton, Jack's Reloaded
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