Melinda Dimitriades

Melinda Dimitriades was raised in Earlwood to Greek-born migrants, and has continued to work and live in the Inner West over much of the past two decades. It is time for her to give back to a community that has provided her great opportunities, connection, challenge and joy.

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Melinda has developed a long and successful career in the food and hospitality industry. Trained in cookery, she went on to work for high end provedores where she learnt about artisan cheese, charcuterie and extra virgin olive oil as well as many other hand-made specialty food products. Over the past 12 years, Melinda has been the proprietor of CHOP SHOP omnivorium, based in Marrickville, a specialty provedore supplying many of the Inner West’s specialty and organic retailers. Developing relationships is key to her business success, in which she represents other people’s hard work and labour of love.

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Melinda recently consulted as chef at the The Great Club in Marrickville – formerly Alexander the Great, Greek Macedonian club, where as a child, she and her family would often spend a Saturday evening. Alongside her passion for food and cookery, Melinda developed a life-long interest in the Law and Politics, and as a mature-aged student this year graduated from the University of Sydney, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political, Economic and Social Sciences (major Government and International Relations). Melinda has always felt a keen sense for justice and fairness with an eye to her community. 

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Melinda is a passionate advocate for older people and is keen to be part of creating relationships and community activities that engage all generations and cultural backgrounds. The Great Club also continues to support community events including the recent Newtown neighbourhood senior’s event that she helped co-ordinate. Future plans include ongoing engagement with more of the local seniors’ groups and inviting them to the club for bespoke events being planning. 

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She is interested in all levels of government leading the charge to create good policies and work with business to address climate change, environmental impacts and smart building design. She believes that everyone should have access to green space and sky, and that you can’t just buy your way into everything. 

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Melinda is staunchly socially and economically progressive. She is inspired by Deputy Mayor Vic Macri, who is a true champion for his community and a politician for all the right reasons: a genuine care for outcomes that affect people’s lives, spending immeasurable time helping people with their concerns, and seeking best-practice when producing policies and ideas that the council could implement for the benefit of the many and not the few.

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Melinda lives with her partner Julie in the Inner West on Wangal Country, and they are planning their wedding for later this year. Melinda is excited to put her years of vast experience and education into practice by helping to nurture and celebrate the diverse cultural and ethnic communities that create the unique flavours of the Marrickville precinct. Plate up!