Movies, Milkshakes and Mallrats | Powerhouse

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Country Always

Country Always

Caring for Country

A Corner of the Empire

A Corner of the Empire

The Garden Palace

The Holding Pen

The Holding Pen

The Agricultural Hall

Regional Networks

Regional Networks

Across New South Wales

A Museum of Doing

A Museum of Doing

Technological Museum

Expanding Stories

Expanding Stories

Evolution of the Castle Hill site from botanical research station to Museum Discovery Centre

Transforming the Tramsheds

Transforming the Tramsheds

Powerhouse Stage 1 and the Harwood Building

A Symbol in Time

A Symbol in Time

Sydney Observatory

Ongoing Transformations

Ongoing Transformations

Powerhouse Ultimo

Applied Arts and Sciences

Applied Arts and Sciences

Defining the terms in the 21st century

Powerhouse Renewal

Powerhouse Renewal

A transformative renewal program across four sites

We Rise

We Rise

Blak Powerhouse

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

Powerhouse-1 Mission Launch to the ISS

An initiative of the Powerhouse: Future Space program

2024

2024

Exoskeleton

Exoskeleton

Powerhouse Parramatta

Share your Western Sydney Mall stories

Share your Western Sydney Mall stories

Movies, Milkshakes and Mallrats

Parramatta

Parramatta

2025

Stories

Share your Western Sydney Mall stories

Movies, Milkshakes and Mallrats

A photograph of the busy Food court at Penrith Plaza, cafe tables filled with guests surround the centre fountain, with a two-way staircase in the background.

Share your Western Sydney Mall stories

Did you spend your youth in Westfield Parramatta, Bankstown Square, Stockland Merrylands, Westpoint Blacktown, or Roselands?

We are looking for photographs, personal stories and ephemera, that capture the spirit of shopping malls in Western Sydney for inclusion in a opening exhibition at Powerhouse Parramatta.

We would love to hear first-hand accounts of time spent in shopping malls across Western Sydney from the 1970s to early 2000s.

Key Dates

Call-out opens 17 July 2025
Submissions due 22 August 2025

If you have further questions, contact mallmoments@powerhouse.com.au.

Public Call-Out

Applications Reopen 2026

Share your stories of Western Sydney shopping malls for an opening exhibition at Powerhouse Parramatta.

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What we are looking for

A photograph of a crowded Parramatta Westfield mall, audiences crowding around the floor and balcony looking towards the centre stage.

CONCERTS AND CELEBRITY APPEARANCES

Did you wait for hours to see Kim K or Craig David at Parramatta Westfield? Stevie Wonder at Roselands? Elton John at Macquarie Centre? Salt-N-Peppa at Eastgardens? We’d love to hear your story — and see your photos, autographs, promotional flyers or video footage.

A photograph of women posing in black and orange clothes in a retail store, standing on a runway for the Hurstville Centenary Display.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Do you remember marching in a local parade out the front of Liverpool Westfield? Performing in a cultural celebration on a makeshift stage? Competing in a mall-sponsored fun run, talent show or spelling bee? We’re looking for photos, certificates, medals, banners — anything that captures how malls served as the stage for community pride, neighbourhood talent and collective celebration.

A photograph of the Hoyts entrance in Penrith Plaza, with red lights, guests and a cinema staff standing at the front.

CINEMAS AND AMUSEMENT ARCADES

Did you spend your holidays devouring the latest summer blockbuster? Was the arcade your second home? Did you have your first date with your future spouse at your local mall? Maybe you kept movie stubs, arcade wristbands or those Timezone tickets you never traded in. We want to hear your stories of mall-based movie marathons, game tournaments and friendships forged over Space Invaders.

A black and white photograph of a man riding a skateboard mid-air.

ALTERNATIVE USES OF MALLS

Did you ever use the mall for something it wasn’t designed for? Maybe it was a place to rehearse dance routines, a makeshift studio for a video project — or you turned the car park into your own skate park. We want to hear from the people who claimed the mall as their territory. Whether you were filming tricks on a Handycam, head spinning in the food court or just hanging with your crew at the food court, share your photos, footage and stories. We’re also keen to see zines, mixtapes or DIY ephemera that documented culture in and around the mall.

A photograph of kids at a McDonald's birthday party, wearing red hats and looking down to an adult cutting a cake.

BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Did you or your friends celebrate a birthday at the mall? Maybe you had a memorable party, a private screening or got matching makeovers at a beauty counter. We want to see your invitations, party hats, photos, receipts and goodie bags. Help us remember what it meant to grow up at the mall.

FAQs