The South London bar that has become a ‘home away from home’ for Australians celebrating the World Cup

South West London has become the Australian people’s chosen area but one bar in particular feels like a little slice of Down Under

“It’s crazy hearing our accent so much – it’s like wow, there we are again.” Leaving your home and travelling halfway across the world is a big deal, but it’s made easier when you find a place that feels like home.

With the chants of ‘Aussie, Aussie, Aussie; Oi, Oi, Oi’, ringing out from The Garden, Vauxhall, it’s not Federation Square in Melbourne, but the Australians in South West London certainly try their hardest to bring that same kind of fire and passion.

Even Australians know that when they move over, Clapham and Vauxhall, for a lot of them, will be their first port of call. Of course, Margot Robbie’s exploits at Infernos are legendary, but now many more Australians have basically made South West their home, and The Garden Vauxhall is a favourite watering hole.

As Australians gathered for their second game against the USA at the World Cup, the gold-and-yellow shirts were out in force. MyLondon spoke to fans about why The Garden has become so popular.

30-year-old Bec Dumesny has been in London for three years and says that a beer garden and sunshine are typical Australian experiences. She told MyLondon: “It’s nice to come together in a place and it’s something special, when you know and see Aussies around, it’s that camaraderie you can’t get anywhere else. Having a shared goal that supports the team and that true team spirit is really nice.

“With any national sport, any time they are representing the green and gold, we will get behind them. I live in the South West, and I think it’s because it’s a mixture of plenty of parks, next to the river and not super busy, and when you know people in the South West, you all end up in the same place. It’s great to see everyone around and hearing the Aussie accent so much, and to have a nice place to watch the game here.”

Chants rang out loud throughout the 90 minutes and the rendition of the national anthem was beautiful to hear. Residents in the neighbouring buildings peered out their windows, while even the people on the top floor of the vast high rises in Vauxhall were sure to have heard the noise from below.

Fraser Cooks now lives in Surrey but he knew he had to come down to support. He said: “This feels like a home away from home. I first came here four years ago [for the last World Cup] and it’s always sold out. Everyone enjoys it, it’s a great event.”

Aussies in London, a Facebook page, organised the event in partnership with The Garden. The event sold out. The venue provides multiple screens to watch the games, both inside and outside.

‘It’s good to be back around your countryfolk’

Even for Australians who no longer live in the South West, being surrounded by their fellow countrymen brings a sense of warmth.

Bianca Harrington, 34, moved to London nine years ago. Now, she lives in North London with her partner Josh McGuinness (who is from Essex). Bianca said: “My plan initially was to come for a year or two, and nine years later, here we are. I live in North London, not Clapham, so I don’t usually come down here much, but it’s nice to be around your fellow countrymen.

“Hearing all the Australian-isms and lingo that you haven’t heard in ages – it feels good to be back around my countryfolk.”

Josh added that he thinks it’s simple for Australians when they come: “You go to where your people are.”

Three friends, Danny, Damo, and Jarrod, knew it was a no-brainer coming to Vauxhall and South London. Jarrod said that The Garden has always ‘been good’ for Australians and South West London has been a place to ‘build a community’.

Danny said: “I came down for the last World Cup and it’s always good vibes. It’s nice to have all the Aussies in the right place.” Damo was more boisterous about Australia’s chances of winning, even using England’s slogan “It’s coming home – but to Australia”. Sadly, the USA didn’t get the memo.

Even if the result didn’t go the way many hoped, the pride and togetherness of the Australians were on full display.

The Garden Vauxhall is showing every game of the World Cup, but you can definitely tell that this is where Australians feel most at home.

Robert ‘Bobby’ Caldwell put it simply. He said: “People like their communities. Making that jump to the other side of the world. London is tough, especially from October to March as we are all suffering through winter because it’s summer back home. But when that first sunny day comes, everyone knows they’re going straight to the park and to the pub, and suddenly everyone’s smiling; that feeling you don’t get in Australia because you don’t go through that suffering.

“As Aussies, we love the outdoors. The proximity of this place to Clapham is perfect and we love days like this because we’ve missed it over the last six months.”

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