The East Melbourne precinct has a long and celebrated history as a destination for sporting greatness, and entertainment. Ancestors of the Kulin Nations gathered, met and inhabited these unceded lands long before Melbourne was founded in 1835. Over time the precinct has thrived as home to numerous accommodation providers, Melbourne Olympic Park, Yarra Park and its beating heart – the Melbourne Cricket Ground.  

The East Melbourne precinct has a long and celebrated history as a destination for sporting greatness, and entertainment. Ancestors of the Kulin Nations gathered, met and inhabited these unceded lands long before Melbourne was founded in 1835. Over time the precinct has thrived as home to numerous accommodation providers, Melbourne Olympic Park, Yarra Park and its beating heart – the Melbourne Cricket Ground.  

With the launch of MCG Events, we are poised, along with our new and emerging neighbours, to reconnect the business event market, to the East Melbourne precinct.  With the launch of MCG Events, we are poised, along with our new and emerging neighbours, to reconnect the business event market, to the East Melbourne precinct.  

Welcoming our new neighbour – Centrepiece – at Melbourne Park

Into its first year of operations, Centrepiece – at Melbourne Park is a purpose-built conference and exhibition space at the doorstep to the MCG. Flooded with natural light, the pillarless Grand Hall has 2,000 square metres of flexible event space.

With what is fast becoming a winning combination, Centrepiece often plays host to the daytime business activity before delegates walk across the footbridge, and into the MCG for their Gala Dinners, Networking events, and VIP experiences.  

In February 2022 renowned event producer Peter Jones Special Events used this venue combination to produce the first Destination Australia conference for Tourism Australia after a long hiatus of two years due to COVID.

To the beat of the colourful band, guests were escorted the short journey, from Centrepiece, into the Ponsford Stand at the MCG, and straight down on to the hallowed turf. The event was a celebration of Australian sport, showcasing an impressive collection of trophies on full display for guests to take photos with – including the AFL & AFLW Premiership Cup, Melbourne Cup, Australian Grand Prix Sir Jack Brabham Trophy, and the Australian Open’s Norman Brooks Challenge Cup & Daphne Akhurst Memorial Trophy.

Guests were mesmerised as they watched the sunset behind the majestic grandstands as they feasted on Australian seafood, and a native inspired lamington bar that included white chocolate & native strawberry gum; finger lime meringue & coconut; rhubarb & sun-baked banana; roof top honey & macadamia.  

Home to Association Events

The East Melbourne precinct is fast becoming the favoured choice for Association events. The combination of Centrepiece at Melbourne Park, the MCG and the surrounding array of accommodation offers a mix of 4 – 5-star accommodation options, that include suites and twin rooms, through to serviced apartments.  

All within walking distance, there is no need for coaches, making this precinct a convenient location for a delegate to access everything they need.

Distance:

• Pullman on the Park – 400 meters,
• Mantra Jolimont – 350 meters,
• Quest Jolimont – 450 meters, and
• Park Hyatt – 1100 meters

Quintessential Melbourne

A Melbourne rotation also demands a ‘quintessential Melbourne’ experience, and there is nothing more quintessentially Melbourne than a visit to the G’. Attendees can experience a guided tour of stadium, visit the inner sanctum changerooms, and take photos on the boundary line. There is also the ability to hold events in the recently renovated Australian Sports Museum or set up a ‘friendly’ game of cricket in Yarra Park. Additionally experience in the G in its’ match day glory with a ‘Premium Experience’ inside one of the Corporate Boxes.  

In April 2022, MCG Events, in conjunction with the Melbourne Convention Bureau, hosted the Association Forum Gala Dinner, a gathering over 200 associations decision makers.

Guests enjoyed a delicious Italian inspired feast that Chef Partner Guy Grossi, designed especially for the occasion and spoke to the guest of the importance food plays to the Melbourne visitor experience.

MCG Events have also partnered with Alejandro Saravia of Farmer’s Daughters, whose food philosophy elevates Gippsland’s artisan farmers, producers and growers, in a celebration of local produce, that epitomises our food philosophy of always local first.  

Thinking outside the ‘bowl’

As one of the main public parklands in Melbourne, located within the city’s most vibrant sports and entertainment Precinct, Yarra Park is noted for not just for its’ landscape and sporting heritage that dates back to 1850s, but also its significant indigenous history.

In recognition of the sacred and ancient ceremonial land, we stand on, MCG Events has developed an indigenous inspired menu, with ingredients that were foraged by the traditional owners.

Menu features include Paperbark smoked Huon salmon blini, sunrise lime, sea parsley aioli; Bunya nut and shitake, chawanmushi, black barley, on rye; Pepper leaf Gnocchi, garlic wild mushrooms, fried enoki, and sage beurre noisette.  

The MCG acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi- wurrung people as the Traditional Owners on whose Country we are situated. We recognise and respect the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who also visit the MCG.