A Salute To Our Medical Staff

Doctors and Nurses
View facing the Royal Womens Hospital Melbourne.

This bronze sculpture was created by noted Melbourne sculptor Michael Meszaros and commissioned by the Harold Mitchell Foundation for the opening of the new hospital in June 2008. It represents the old days of medicine and the change that has taken place in the medical field over the years.


View facing Grattan Street.

It expresses the busy comings and goings of women to and from the hospital. It shows, on the side approaching the hospital, a very pregnant woman ready to give birth, a doctor with a stethoscope and a woman with an identity badge who could be a nurse or official. On the side away from the hospital there is a woman holding a newborn baby, another with a developing tummy who has been in for a checkup and another woman who could be a visitor or a gynaecology patient.

The work is curved in plan so that those approaching are focussing on a point at the entrance and those departing are radiating out into the community. Altogether it expresses the hospital as centre point for women and women's health serving the wider community. It is a single continuous sheet of material suggesting that women are connected to each other through the work of the hospital .

Be Proud Be Seen - Go Green

These two bags definitely make a fashion statement - look trendy while knowing
you've done your bit for Mother Earth.




WOZWASTE - their product range is custom made from waste reclaimed from
landfill, commercial waste and general waste materials.

WOZWASTE is a division of Sparkle Imports. Catherine Curmi founded Sparkle Imports
back in 2000, wholesaling a unique range of goods handcrafted from natural or
recycled materials to the nursery industry.

Marital Dispute in Art?

While taking a short cut to avoid traffic on the way to work, this piece of public art caught my eye. It definitely wasn't there last week and makes an otherwise dull laneway bright and cheerful.



Wonder what the "tag" means and how the roving artist managed to get enough paint supply. Spray can anyone?

The Depot

Entrance to the Council Depot - where all the hard yakka gets done.

The city of Moonee Valley is in "Bomber" territory - Essendon - and council's colours used to be red and black - the Essendon Footy colours...until one CEO who was from Dunedin NZ changed them to reflect his 'beloved' hometown.........

This is where the parking officers have their office. Along with those who work in parks and gardens.

Birthdays and Celebrations

"Let them eat cake" said Marie Antoinette. By the look of things, these people are happy to do just that.

An Indian Gent

The colours of the traditional Indian clothes were quite eye-catching and caused much fascination as this gent strolled around the city.

Stained Glass Window

Stained glass window at church front
Arch and sculpture over front doors
St. Monica's Roman Catholic Church Moonee Ponds was designed and built in 1934 to replace the smaller church which had stood on the same site since 1884.

St. Ignatius RC Church

St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church was designed by architect, William W. Wardell. Built 1867 and 1894, the spire was added 1927-8 by architect, Gerald W. Vanheems.

Thai Lamb

Slow-cooked Thai Lamb Shanks with chum soy and baked pumpkin

This culinary masterpiece was on the menu at William Angliss Institute of TAFE. Located in Melbourne CBD at 555 La Trobe Street Melbourne, William Angliss specialise in hospitality and food science. They offer 3 course lunches and dinners Monday to Friday during the school term at very inexpensive prices.

Letterboxes

The "Basket"

This pink flowering Diosma (Coleonema pulchellum) creates "The Basket" effect - a nice change for the postie. Much better than those "Finger Crunchers".
"Finger Crunchers" btw are when you go to put a letter in, the flap snaps down and crunches your fingers.

Fine French Fare - Crêpe Suzette

One of a number of food stalls at Federation Square during Viva Victoria.

Crêpe Suzette is a traditional French dessert. A mouth-watering crêpe with a hot sauce of orange juice, caramelized sugar, lightly grated orange peel and Grand Marnier. It is said that Henri Charpentier who at the time was an assistant waiter at the Maitre at Monte Carlo's Café de Paris, made an error of judgement whilst preparing a dessert for the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) and his companion whose first name was Suzette.

The cordials caught fire, and poor Henri thought it was ruined. After tasting it he realised the flames gave it just that extra something which melded the flavours together in a unique way. He was initially going to call it "Crêpe Princesse", but the Prince of Wales asked "Will you change Crêpe Princesse to Crêpe Suzette?"

Thus this now famous dessert came into the history books. Although this is disputed in Larousse Gastronomique as to being doubtful that Charpentier who was then fourteen, would have been serving His Royal Highness instead of the head waiter.

But, whatever the truth to its origins, there is no getting away from the fact that Crêpe Suzette is one of the truly delectable, mouth-watering, gastronomical delights - guaranteed to add two inches to the hips just by looking at it! And the people at Crepes and Shakes make a very good Crêpe Suzette indeed.

Winter

The Leafless Tree
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Proudly stands the leafless tree
Its twigs and branches bare
While waiting for its leaves to grow
And Spring to fill the air

Then slowly shall its leaves unfurl
And blossoms forth shall bring
A heady perfume, shady boughs
Sweet sound of birds that sing.

Totem Poles

These painted totem poles are a delight for children of all ages and test the climbing skills. Situated at Riverside Park on the Maribyrnong River, with BBQ's and rotundas, they provide for a family fun day.

A Flower Blooms

This plant in my backyard bloomed
only twice - once on the day my
Dad died, and once on the day of
Dad's funeral.

Two Little Boys

These two little boys were having fun down at St. Kilda beach one Sunday afternoon. With their socks and sneakers off and their pants rolled up to their knees, the cold wintry day didn't affect their fun. I watched as they gaily splashed in the water, track pants sodden their feet and legs covered in sand.

I am reminded of the song "Two Little Boys"

Graffiti On Wheels

This Holden is often seen on our local streets and I've always been rather fascinated by the "Artwork". When taking these photos last week, two gentlemen sitting on a seat informed I was the second person that day taking photos.

One of the old gentlemen added the owner was an "eccentric."

Pakistani Handcrafts

An intricate wall hanging from Nazia and Wasif Art Studio showcasing hand painted silk scarves, journals and brooches from Pakistan.

Traditional Pakistan costume with delicate hand beading and embroidery.

Traditional Indonesian Masked Dancer

Roving artist Jayadi Paembonan gave improvised performances and was happy to pose for photographs.

Pick-Up Sticks - Red Centre

Located in Federation Square, this collection of "sticks" is one of the permanent art sculptures and provides a brilliant hue near Federation Wharf.

The title of this public artwork is Red Centre, nicknamed Gay Hay. It was created by Konstantin Dimopoulos in 2006. Fire is an essential part of the Australian landscape. It both destroys and regenerates.
The flame also provides warmth and a place for communities to gather. A meeting place.

A bright red 7m x 2.5m x 2.3m sculpture made from resin, steel mesh and concrete. The artist focuses great detail to colour, line and movement. At night the Red Centre lights up.

Come Fly With Me

A close-up of a Virgin Blue plane - don't you just wish you had a figure like the beauty on the side?

The Cockpit

The Captain was kind enough to allow me into the cockpit after landing, after all the other passengers had alighted. Visions of saying, "What does THIS button do?" and pressing it at the same time were in the forefront of my meandering thinking at the time.
Of course I resisted.
Naturally.

The Flying Kangaroo

When Melbourne's International Airport Tullamarine first opened in 1970, Melbournians would go for a "Sunday drive" to marvel at this new and exciting venture which replaced the old Essendon airport. Melbourne now had its very own International airport where aircraft from all around the globe could take off and land, instead of having to first fly to Sydney as there were no difect flights previously.

Here we have one of our Qantas aircraft - which stood for Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services. It is nicknamed the Flying Kangaroo and the white kangroo on a red background is their logo.

The Exford Hotel

On the corner of Russell Street and Little Bourke Street Melbourne stands the Exford Hotel which was built in 1914 to replace an earlier hotel known as the Sportsman's Arms and built in 1854. This three story brick hotel stands in the midst of "Chinatown" and has the traditional splay-corner plan and is a perfect example of Edwardian architecture.

You won't find fancy fittings, in fact the floorboards are bare. Neither can you get a yuppie latte or chai tea - but what you will find is a great atmosphere where the emphasis is on the casual and warm where get togethers and serious drinking is done. Popular with the suited business man as well as the man on the street, the Exford serves as a reminder of what a true pub is all about.

And should you go there on a Friday after work, the staff put on a free BBQ in the upstairs courtyard. Accommodation is also available and I can testify to the comfort of their beds.

"Kafe Kulture"

Melbourne is known for it's "Kafe Kulture" - that great pastime of dining al fresco. Whether it be under a striped awning in Degraves Street, or at a Parisian table at the Paris end of Collins, or at any of the myriad outdoor seating arrangements, you're sure to find something that suits all tastes and budgets.

Here we have outdoor dining at Federation Square during Viva Victoria. The day was hot, the umbrellas cool and surrounding greenery provided just the right amount of atmosphere that made you want to linger over your drinks and enjoy your surroundings.

Melbourne - Young and Jackson

Young and Jackson's is Australia's, and Melbourne's most famous pub. Opening on 1st July 1861, it was originally named the Princes Bridge Hotel and was renamed Young and Jackson's when it was taken over in 1875 by two Irish diggers - Henry Young and Thomas Jackson. The Y & J as it is sometimes colloquially called is on the corner of Melbourne's busiest intersection, Flinders Street and Swanston Street and is listed on the Victoria Heritage Register.

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Young and Jacksons Pub
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Chloe

Young and Jacksons is famous for its most famous painting - "Chloé" - a naked nymphette painted in 1875 by Frenchman, Joseph Lefebvre and is a life-size oil on canvas measuring 260 x 139 cm. The artist's model who posed for the painting was a young French lass named Marie who was around the age of 19 years. The painting was purchased for 800 pounds in 1908 for Young and Jacksons, and has hung there ever since.

Melbourne - Princes Bridge Street Lamp

Princes Bridge first built in 1845 was a timber toll bridge. It was rebuilt in 1888 by the Government and was free.

Street lamps adorned the bridge from the early 1850's and are set on bluestone half columns. Beneath these columns are piers which support the three iron girder arches.

The early lamps ran on gas and were later replaced with electricity.

Melbourne - Arts Centre Spire

The Spire of the Melbourne Arts Centre is a landmark standing proudly at over 160 metres in height and is lit at night casting dappled lighting over the waters of the Yarra.