How a shopping village revival helped spawn Scullin’s changing identity

When Sue White bought her ex-govie home in Scullin 11 years ago, the neat brick property was in need of some love – and so was the neighbourhood.

So, in between wordsmithing, the freelance journalist embarked on a mission to create a serene haven-at-home, while simultaneously rallying a band of dedicated residents to breathe new life into the neglected local shopping village.

What they created was beyond all expectation – a lasting legacy that has earnt Scullin a reputation as the ‘hidden gem’ of Belconnen.

As well rejuvenating the shopping precinct, the group forged a close-knit community and vibrant hub for locals to gather and connect. And, in doing so, prompted a new wave of homebuyers seeking out Scullin for its sense of community, leafy blocks and quality renovations.

“When I moved here 11 years ago, the local shops were not a highlight,” Sue recalls. “You couldn’t even buy a loaf of bread there.

“A bunch of residents volunteered and organised a co-op in one of the empty shops and we called it The Scullin Traders. Everyone pitched in to scrub it, clean and remodel it.

“We showcased all different artisans from across Canberra, we had veggie boxes, and we got people used to coming back to the shops to buy milk, bread and beautiful flowers. After a while new businesses started to come.”

Now the suburb is peppered with street libraries, a community garden, coffee and chat groups and the joyful cheers of kids playing soccer on the oval. There is street art, community events, and a convenient public water fountain for thirsty walkers and cyclists, initiated by the Scullin Community Group.

Cris O’Brien, from Home.By Holly, says Scullin has become a sought-after spot for families who are attracted to the community-minded vibe.

“I’ve sold quite a few homes in Scullin recently and what I’m seeing is a trend of young families wanting to come into the area,” Cris says. “The school catchment area is amazing but mostly, there’s a really strong sense of community that people want to be part of.

“Once overlooked in favour of nearby Page and Weetangera, the suburb is seeing a shift as more homeowners invest in creative upgrades while retaining its spacious, suburban feel – and prices are increasing to reflect this shift.”

Sue, a co-founder of Scullin Community Group, has made the bittersweet decision to sell her home at 3 Mollison Street as she and her young son embark on a new adventure living closer to the coast.

Set just 200m from the now thriving Scullin shops, the property has been reimagined to maximise space and sustainability. The beautiful yard is akin to a sanctuary with established trees, expanses of decking and several peaceful spots to sit and relax.

The 674sqm block flips the traditional backyard focus, with a private, year-round outdoor retreat in the front yard – featuring a dual-zone swim spa, an all-season entertaining space, and strategic landscaping for both openness and privacy.

“I put lots of love into where I live, generally, and it’s been beautiful living here,” Sue says. “I home-school my son and we’re home a lot so I wanted to make home a real haven.

“I grew up in Canberra in a house with beautiful gardens so I was lucky enough to replicate that in this home. One of the things I love about Canberra is you can have different seating areas that catch the sun at different times of the day and at different times of the year.”

Beyond individual properties, the suburb’s broader evolution is driven by an engaged local community which has played a key role in activating the area, while local shops like Sweet Bones café, Muku Japanese and Change Yoga have become big drawcards.

“I would say I’ll miss my friends, but I’m definitely going to keep in touch. Scullin will still be a big part of our lives,” Sue says.

“I’ll miss the Scullin Halloween Walk, because that is so much fun. I’ll miss all the street libraries, and I’ll miss the informal things like going for a walk and bumping into people and having a chat.

“We’ve really built the community and the changes to the shops from the ground up – and it all came from the people living in Scullin.

“But what’s really satisfying from my perspective is this is all self-sustaining now. People who have no idea of the history of what we did five years ago are moving in just because it’s a good place to be.”

3 Mollison Street, Scullin will go to auction on March 22 at 10am.