Brookvale has seen a massive change over the last 10 years, and the change doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon. The old industrial bones stand strong for sure, but there’s something new brewing between the factories and roundabouts – the rise of a community as rare as the place itself: gritty, creative, and just a stone’s throw from the sea.
Humble Productions has called Brookie home for the last five years, and after a chat (or two) over a beer (or two) at a local brewery (or two), the team recently set out to create a visual time capsule of the people shaping Brookvale’s future with their brilliant ideas, businesses, and more often than not, their own bare hands.
People of Brookvale is a video portrait series that does exactly that. Each episode celebrates a local legend by exploring what they do and why they do it in Brookie. The project shines a spotlight on the individual contributions that create the unique energy of the area in a stripped-back and honest format. Shot in Humble’s Brookvale studio, the stories form an open record of this once-in-a-lifetime period of innovation and change for the area, told by the people at the very heart of it.
With new attention from government and local councils focused on the suburb’s future, from rezoning plans to cultural precinct discussions, there’s a growing sense that Brookvale is on the brink of something big. People of Brookvale captures what’s already happening on the ground: innovation, identity, and a strong creative pulse. It’s a reminder that meaningful change doesn’t always start in boardrooms, sometimes it starts in warehouses, over a craft brew (or two).
Season 1 launches today with three exciting episodes from the drop, and who better to kick things off than our very own Liam Carroll, with a spotlight on this very publication!? Rounding out the ‘inaugural 3’ are Dave Dumas from Dad and Dave’s Brewery and Wendy Kasprowicz from the world-renowned Okanui, each with their own unique take on what makes this suburb so special. With four more episodes dropping over the next few weeks, there’s plenty more Brookie brilliance to come.
Early responses have been incredible, and the stories have struck a chord with locals and out-of-towners alike – shining a light on just how much heart lives behind the roller doors and café counters of this fast-evolving neighbourhood.
And while Season 1 may be wrapped, planning for Season 2 is well underway. Humble is currently on the lookout for more locals doing interesting, creative, or quietly brilliant things in Brookvale. All it takes is a passion for what you do and a couple of hours in the studio, so if that sounds like you or someone you know, now’s the time to get in touch.
Watch now
You can catch People of Brookvale Season 1 at peopleofbrookvale.com.au or via the POB Instagram account @peopleofbrookvale