The Occupy Wall Street Movement went global over the weekend with hundreds of protesters descending on Melbourne and Sydney to rail against corporate greed and the growing wealth divide in western economies.

Similar rallies were held in 82 countries and more than 500 cities throughout Europe, North American and Asia, inspired by the actions of protesters in New York and Spain, where the movement was born.

As the protests in Rome turned violent, with upwards of 1000 demonstrators rioting through the city, the event in Melbourne took on a more festive feel, with free food and entertainment offered to participants.

Michael Nolan captured some of the sights and sounds of what seemed more like a party than a protest for upstart.