I first visited Melbourne over 30 years ago. That was the city, not the suburbs.

My first impressions were of a dirty, graffiti-riddled city without environmental pride.

I remember that a great deal was being made of the relatively sophisticated suburban railway system connecting the city. I went into one of the stations and was amazed at the amount of graffiti and wanton damage plastered over nearly every carriage coming through the station.

That was then. I can but conjecture that these days, things both environmentally and possibly socially are far, far worse.

I will be the last person wanting to visit the Protest Capital.