Melbourne Day - 175 Years

It was on this day 30th August, 1835 that the city of Melbourne was founded - the day the first European settlers landed on the north bank of the Yarra River from the schooner Enterprize in 1835.

This pioneering group was led by Captain John Lancey with Launceston builder George Evans and his servant Evan Evans, carpenters William Jackson and Robert Hay Marr, ploughman Charles Wise and blacksmith James Gilbert and his wife Mary making up the party.

It was on 30 August 1835 that these first settlers landed and commenced with the building of a thatched storage hut and the clearing of land along the north bank of the Yarra River. This location today is known as Enterprize Park where Williams Street and Flinders Street meet near the old Customs House.

And so we say Happy Birthday Melbourne - 175 Years.
The City of Melbourne had several events and attractions to mark this auspicious occasion.


Traditional Owners
The people of the Kulin nation are the traditional owners of the land that became Melbourne, including the Boonwurrung, Woiwurrung, Taungurung and Djadjawurrung people, who gathered in this place for ceremonies and cultural activities.

At City Square on the corner of Swantson and Collins Streets, was the birthday cake and entertainment.
Below is a photo of Wurundjeri dancers preparing to perform a traditional dance -

The Story of Creation - Bunjil the Creator


I took this with my camera yesterday - it is the story of creation and tells of Bunjil. This is part of the Dreamtime.

Melbourne Day celebrates more than just the day the city was founded. It represents the point at which the proud community of Melbourne began.
And it is a day to celebrate all that makes Melbourne one of the world's most liveable cities.

Melbourne Day Song 30 August 2010
A special song was written to mark 175 years. This is the first public performance and is sung by Melbourne school children from various primary schools.


When I made this video yesterday, I tried to get all the children in the choir on here. Steven Spielberg I am not, but hopefully I will get better with practice.☺

Lyrics
Under blue skies
Southern Blue Skies
Melburnians always meet together
Under grey skies,
Southern Grey skies,
Melburnians meet in any weather.
The Wurundjeri
And the Boonerwrung
People of the Kulin Nation
We've had settlers here,
Welcomed migrants here,
People from all destinations.
More people who care!
More people who come
To share this day!


Melbourne then and now

The city has changed a great deal in the last 100 years or so. Today, Melbourne is a great city with a passion for life, a zest for living and the best place in Australia for fashion, dining, cultural and theatre events, sport and recreation. So come on down to Melbourne and enjoy a day in one of the most convivial of cities.

Today's Quote: When you look at a city, it's like reading the hopes, aspirations and pride of everyone who built it ~ Hugh Newell Jacobsen

Election 2010

Heads or Tails?
It has been a very nail-biting weekend here in not just Melbourne, but all over Australia. The Federal election took place on Saturday the results being what looks like a hung Parliament with the two major parties (Labor and the Coalition) each having 70 seats.

The results so far are Labor - 70, Coalition - 70, Greens - 1, Independants - 3, undecided - 6. Whoever governs Australia will do so with a minority government. Both leaders, Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott will be courting the Independant candidates.

Melbourne Daily Photo is a non-political blog so I will not be taking political "sides", however, if I was Prime Minister, here's what I think -

If I was Prime MInister
Of all the Aussie states,
I'd live on chocolate truffles
And swing on all the gates.

I'd have lots of money
What I wanted I would get
I'd buy me a brand new car
And then a Lear jet.

I wouldn't have to worry
When the water bill fell due,
Or phone, or gas, or SEC
They'd all be paid by you. (The tax-payer)

I'd be living like a king
Rub shoulders with the best
And then I could look down my nose
At all the poor in jest.

And so you see dear people
As dear old Malcolm said,
"Life wasn't meant to be easy"
You elected me instead.

Note: Malcolm Fraser was a former PM from 1975 - 1983.
SEC - State Electricity Commission


Today's Quote: The best argument against democracy was a five minute conversation with the average voter ~ Winston Churchill.

Skywatch Friday - Backyard Sunrise

 

This was taken in my backyard.

Today's quote: There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope ~ Bern Williams


To see more skies around the world, click here.

Flinders Street Station

 

The old and the new
This was taken at Flinders Street Station from Platform 5 and is facing south west. The tall modern buildings in the backdrop and the warm red brick of the old - there's a big difference in building styles.

The buildings are from L to R - Eureka Tower, PWC tower (Price Waterhouse Coopers), Freshwater Place and part of Crown Towers. The building on the far left of which only part is visible is the Langham Hotel.

The view of the platform is of the "other" end - the ramp leads down to the Elizabeth Street exit which is on your right. If however you should decide to turn left you will find yourself going along a walkway which will lead you to Southbank and the Yarra - see photo below.

 

Today's quote: Railway termini are our gates to the glorious and the unknown. Through them we pass out into adventure and sunshine, to them, alas! we return ~ E. M. Forster

Telstra Corporate Centre

In the city of Melbourne is the Telstra Corporate Centre. Built in 1992 and standing at 219m high with 47 floors, it's in our top ten tallest list. It was designed by Perrot Lyon Matheison, the architect of Rialto Towers and is the world headquarters for Telstra. It is also a Melbourne landmark.

Of interest is the lift core - it is exposed through the middle of the building and used as a tower feature.

The Telstra building is located at 242 Exhibition Street.

 

Above: Telstra Corporate Centre

Below is the building in front of this modern glass skyscraper.

 

Above: In front of the Telstra building
Note the difference in design, height, medium and architecture. I was facing east taking both photos.



Today's Quote: We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us ~ Winston Churchill

Sweet and Sour

 

Are they real?
Yes, indeed they are. These bright and colourful fruits and chillies are at the Queen Vic. (Queen Victoria market) I wouldn't mind eating some of them, although I think I might give the chillies a miss.☺

Today's Quote: Next to jazz music, there is nothing that lifts the spirit and strengthens the soul more than a good bowl of chili ~ Harry James.

Spend a Penny?

 

Tinkle Town
On the corner of Collins and Swanston Streets, these underground toilets are on the southern side of the Melbourne Town Hall. The female loos were installed in 1914, but the chaps had to wait a bit longer - male loos were installed in 1960. They are open 24 hours and an attendant is present from 7am - 7pm. Baby change facilities are available during these hours.

Note the impressive wrought iron gates and art deco lighting.

Did you know the City of Melbourne, which manages 54 public toilets, promises no person will have to walk more than 250 metres to find a "throne room" in the CBD? This photo was taken in Collins Street facing east.



Today's Quote: Psychiatry's chief contribution to philosophy is the discovery that the toilet is the seat of the soul ~ Alexander Chase

Scenic Sunday - Autumn Aurora

Autumn Leaves
Don't you just love walking down a street filled with glorious autumn colour?

To see other Scenic Sundays, click here.


Today's Quote: Autumn is a second spring when every leaf's a flower ~ Albert Camus

Southgate Bridge

 

Across the Yarra
Another view of our Southgate Footbridge across the Yarra which connects Southgate with Flinders Street. This shot was taken from the banks of Southbank and you can see the city buildings - our famous red brick of Flinders Street Station with it's iconic dome, the spire of St. Paul's Cathedral, and modern day sky scrapers with their mirrored windows.


Today's Quote: The bridges that you cross before you come to them are over rivers that aren't there - Gene Brown