Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.
Standing on the corner of Bourke Street and Elizbeth Street in the heart of Melbourne's CBD is the Melbourne General Post Office - or the GPO as we say. John Batman was appointed as the first Postmaster in 1836. In 1842 the first government building for postal services in Melbourne was opened.
In 1859, the foundation stone was laid on its present site and built in the Renaissance Revival style designed by A.E.Johnson.
Below: 1887 Clocktower
The building was extended in 1887 - a third storey was added along with the famous clock tower which quickly became a city landmark.
Cessation of the GPO
In 1992, Australia Post announced plans to end Melbourne’s GPO’s major postal role. The GPO ceased to function as an office of Australia Post in 2001 and plans for an upmarket shopping mall were approved.
The sorting hall
The hall was almost gutted by fire in 2001, but the building was restored. This photo shows the inside of the sorting hall after restoration and conversion into a shopping mall. The modern design retains many of the important heritage aspects of the site
The former GPO opened for business as a new upmarket retail centre in 2005 and now forms a major arcade running from Bourke Street through to Little Bourke Street. Melbourne’s GPO makes for a totally unique retail and leisure experience.
The calming and irresistible draw of the CBD’s premier boutique shopping destination provides an escape from the hectic Bourke Street Mall, and with over 50 stores across three floors, Melbourne’s GPO houses a diverse mix of dining options, the biggest names in Australian and international designer fashion, alongside exceptional event spaces which have been designed to impress.
Distances from the centre of Melbourne are still measured from the (former) GPO.
Melbourne GPO pre 1880
Lithograph of the first General Post Office before extension and remodelling in the 1880's. (Victorian State Library)
The heritage-listed GPO is considered one of Australia's most important public buildings. Heritage Victoria recognises its social significance as a public landmark and meeting place.
Today's Quote: And none will hear the postman's knock without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten? - W.H. Auden.
I shall lift mine eyes to the heavens
The dark shadows of night slowly creep
Their lengthening lines do fade
The clouds ring out with colour
As the dawn brings on its hue
Through pinks and blues
And rays that shimmer
In the early morn
The crispness of the air
The song of birds to welcome the new dawn.
Today's Quote: Whether I retire to bed early or late, I rise with the sun -
Thomas Jefferson.
Boop-Oop-A-Doop
The companion to yesterday's Caddy - she's called Betty Boop and was parked behind "Lady Luck" - you can see the same building (Hargreaves Hill Brewing Co) in both photos.
This one was the lady's and there's a fur stole hanging out the window.
If you want to see
Just a perfect little she,
Wait 'til you, get a view of Sweet Betty!
There's the moon, 'way up high,
Here are you and here am I,
Oh, do, do, do, something!
Boop-oop-a-doop!
Today's Quote: Driving is a spectacular form of amnesia. Everything is to be discovered, everything to be obliterated - Jean Baudrillard.
Your Limousine Awaits
Imagine tootling along country roads in this beautiful old Caddy, and stopping at some shady spot near a lake and sipping champagne...Ah this is the stuff dreams are made off!
Called "Lady Luck", and one of a pair, she was the envy of many an eye.
The first car I drove (after obtaining my licence) was a red car - but my car was not a "she". It was a genteman car which I called Rufus. A Datsun 1000 - 4 on the floor, no air con, 2 door, and it only cost $2 a week to fill the petrol tank. Petrol was only 20 cents a gallon. How times - and prices - have changed. If you buy a car, get a red one. Red always goes faster!
Today's Quote: It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scatter it all over the road.
Princes Bridge, one of the central bridges in Melbourne links Swanston Street to St Kilda Road and because of its position, is often a focal point for celebratory events in Melbourne such as New Years Eve, Moomba and many other events taking place on the Yarra.
Built in 1886 - 1888, and in the best Melbourne tradition, the bridge is built on solid bluestone bulwarks - none of your flimsy sandstone - with plenty of cast iron.
The circular building is Hamer hall, part of the Melbourne Arts Complex where you can enjoy a variety of performances such as the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, comedy and gala film events. The brown(ish) building is the Herald Sun and the blue one is the Eureka Tower.
Princes Bridge Melbourne 1855
Above is a sketch showing the earlier Princes Bridge built of sandstone in 1850 and which stood for 35 years. Melbourne has come a long way in a mere 160 years.
(Sketch of the Paddlesteamer Gondola to Cremorne Gardens in 1855. State Library of Victoria)
Today's Quote: The great thing in the world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving - Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Ten green bottles hanging on the wall (Remember that song?) Well, actually 5,000 brown bottles went into building this Dutch windmill which is adjacent to the House of Bottles - pretty neat eh?
Today's Quote: There isn't a single windmill owner in Holland who doesn't have a second job, for when there is no wind - Johnny Ball.
Care for a picnic?
One of the lovliest spots for a picnic is up at Sugarloaf Reservoir Park which is located in the beautiful Christmas Hills - even the name sounds wonderful! There's a couple of beaut spots for a nice picinc, Ironbark Ridge and Saddle Dam. We went to Saddle Dam and the views were spectacular. It was a balmy 29ยบ when we were here and you get a lovely fresh breeze at the top. There are no rubbish bins so you must take all yours with you and leave no footprint.
You can also bush walk, do a spot of fishing (rainbow trout, brown trout, redfin, roach or European carp) and even go sailing. If your lucky, you'll see the eastern grey kangaroos or black-tailed wallabies which live throughout the park. There was a family of overseas visitors from Vietnam and the lady asked me "Where are the kangaroo?" I had to explain there was no particular spot set aside for "viewing" - they are in a natural habitat.
Qoute for Today: I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it. - Steve Irwin.
The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn. Following on from yesterday's post, the trees may be dead, but the ferns are growing back.
Today's Quote: The best friend of earth of man is the tree, when we use the tree respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on the earth.- Frank Lloyd Wright
LAKE MOUNTAIN is, or rather was, beautifully forested with tall Mountain Ash - the tallest trees in Australia, and the closest alpine resort to Melbourne - only a 2 hour drive.
In summer, day trippers come for the scenic views and fresh mountain air - over 30 kms of walks, hikes and mountain bike riding. I did the hike up to the Lake Mountain summit (1433 metres above sea level) and was rewarded with magnificant views of the Victorian Alps. The summit loop walk is 2.4 km, and the Alps Lookout is 300 metres from the summit.
I'd been camping at the Black Spur near Narbethong, just outside of Marysville, (the car you see here is mine), and as it was raining I made the mistake of wearing gumboots. I don't recommend wearing gumboots hiking up a mountain - all that slipping and sliding! Nearly did my ankles in! But I made it. Coming back down - I slipped and slid on my rear end - not a very comfortable method of descending I must say.☺
And the wildflowers - absolutely beautiful. Alpine Mint Bush Prostanthera cuneata was everywhere. And the smell of Eucalyptus was gorgeous as you hear the sound of birds as they twittered and trilled and called.
But all this was to change.
Fire is, and can be, our friend. Fire helps us keep warm during winter - snuggling up in front of an open fire, warming your toes. Fire can cook our food for dinner, and fire can also boil the water for cups of tea and coffee.
But when fire rages through the bush and ravages everything in its wake, it is no longer our friend - it becomes a destroyer. Instead of falling snow, it rained fire on 7th February, 2009. The temperature was 46.4ยบ C (115.52ยบ F) with winds up to 150 kmph.
An eerie silence surrounded us as we drove up the mountain on Tuesday. The higher you ascend, the more sombre it becomes. We stood in a barren, desolate wasteland - the silence was deafening. There is no birdsong because there are no birds. Most of the trails and hikes are closed. I looked to where I judged the start of my hike to be and everywhere is blackened, burnt out lifeless trees. The ground a littered mess of black and twisted tree limbs. And I felt saddened and somewhat depressed at this destruction - what makes it worse, is these fires were deliberately lit.
The photo to the left is a close up of where the shelter block was. There were lovely cottages, green if I remember correctly - all gone. The only building left is the Lake Mountain Information Centre/ Bistro/Cafe you see in the top right-hand photo. The only place you can walk is around the concreted parking area, or to the right and slightly behind the Cafe.
The photo on the right-hand side is that which is in the upper photo to the right of the Bistro/Cafe.
Ninety-five per cent of Lake Mountain was burnt at high fire intensity. It was said the tempereature of these bushfires was between 1400 - 1600 degrees. Mountain Ash and Alpine Ash are killed by fire - they have no fire defence other than the seed, so they must regenerate from the ground up.
Quote for today: And where two raging fires meet together, they do consume the thing that feeds their fury. - William Shakespeare
For all my friends around the world may the coming year bring prosperity, peace and happiness.
Ring out the old
Ring in the new
Ring out the false
Ring in the true
Love and joy come to you
And to our wassail too
And God send you a Happy New Year
Traditionally on New Year's Eve, just as the clock strikes midnight, Mum and Dad and us kiddies all gathered 'round the piano and sang "Auld Lang Syne" - written by the great Scottish bard, Robbie Burns. (25 January 1759 - 21 July 1796)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne.
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pou'd the gowans fine.
We've wandered mony a weary foot,
Sin' auld lang syne.
And ther's a hand, my trusty friend,
And gie's a hand o' thine;
We'll tak' a right good willie-waught,
For auld lang syne.
Robbie Burns has his back to the church and his face to the pub. Which is the way he would have wanted it. (Photo taken in Dunedin, 2007)
At the stroke of midnight, when the old year departs and the new year begins, "Auld Lang Syne" is traditionally sung around the world, especially in English speaking countries, and everyone joins hands with the person next to them to form a circle.
New Years Customs
Apart from getting giddily tipsy and kissing everybody in sight at the stroke of midnight, there are other customs as well -
like First Footing - The first person to cross your threshold and enter your home should be dark haired, tall and good looking. Preferably bearing a gift. If that person is a red head or blonde, then I'm afraid you're in for a run of bad luck for the coming year. Oh, and the "First Footer" must, I repeat, must be a male - no females please. That'd bring disaster on everyone's head!
Pay Your Bills - Tis bad luck if you've any unpaid bills on the 1st January.
Have food in the house - Having an empty pantry or food cupboard is also bad luck.
Make A Big Noise - Loud noise scares away the evil spirits so make a big racket even if it does annoy your staid, 80 year old neighbours next door!
Of course, if you have bad luck on New Year's Day, then that bodes ill for the next 364 days!
I wish all of you, everyone, prosperity and good luck for the New Year.
Cheers.
Note: I selected the "Waterloo Bridge" version of Auld Lang Syne as it was the best I could find and the most poignant.
Quote of the Day: Friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies!
The Face of Tomorrow
As today is the last day of the year, I'd like to share with you the last family member born. Aged 7 months and a few days, she and her contemporaries are the leaders of tomorrow.
As we begin the countdown, let us hope that the new year will bring better, and happier times - that people everywhere can learn to live in peace and harmony.
Three Coins in the Fountain?
Maybe not a fountain, but even better - a Wishing Well.
Driving along the beautiful Black Spur, on the side of the road is Saint Ronans Wishing Well. If you enlarge the picture, you can see the water trickling in the lower right-hand side.
Saint Ronans Well is a natural mountain spring and when you stand here you can hear (and see) the sound of trickling water as it gently flows over the small rock wall and down a gully, under the road to the other side. Listening to the twitter of birds trilling their merry song make this an enchanting place. There is a space for two (or maybe three) cars to pull over and park.
The Public Purse
A Calca red granite and stainless-steel sculpture, this wonderful piece of artwork was created by Simon Perry in 1994 and is one of the city’s most unique and distinctive forms of street seating. Appearing as if it is nothing more than an oversized dropped purse, the sculpture perfectly reflects its bustling retail district surrounds.
Located in Bourke Street near the intersection of Elizabeth Street, it sits outside the GPO - you can see the steps of the GPO in the first photo.
In creating The Public Purse, Perry was interested in making an object that would work both conceptually and poetically, while still addressing the context of the site. The Public Purse engages with its environment through its clear reference to the commercial nature of the area.
Bourke Street Mall - No cars here thanks
Bourke Street is the hub of Melbourne's CBD and shopping precinct. Department stores Myer, David Jones and Target are all here. Always bustling with buskers, shoppers and city workers, the section between Elizabeth and Swanston Streets became a mall in 1983, and is the "heart" of Melbourne. So no cars, but the trams run through - well, what would Melbourne be without her trams? And how else would you get from the top of Spring Street up to Spencer Street?
Every year, Myer has the "Christmas Windows". (Photos taken Christmas Day 7.45pm.)
One of the Myer Christmas Windows
Indulge in some Retail Therapy
Not for nothing is Melbourne known as the shopping capital of Australia!
Myer occupies two buildings - the Bourke Street store and the Lonsdale Street store and is joined by an overhead walkway. You can find just about everything - the latest fashions and streetwear, designer label clothing and shoes, a huge variety of top label aftershaves, cosmetics and perfumes. Plus electronics, homewares and children's toys.
David Jones occupies three buildings - one which features menswear, children's wear and a food hall, another dedicated to women's fashions, cosmetics, shoes and accessories, and the Home Store which is all about homewares and bedding.
Transport: Getting There
There's a number of tram routes travelling along Bourke Street and the Mall - including Nos. 86, 95 and 96. At the west end is Southern Cross railway station (formerly Spencer Street) and Parliament railway station at the east end. Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations are a short walk from the Mall.
A pedestrian bridge at the western end provides access - Southern Cross Station, Telstra Dome (now known as Etihad Stadium) and the Melbourne Docklands.
Below: Bourke Street circa 1910
Below: Looking East
A far cry from today As these two photos show, Bourke Street has come a long way in the past 100 years. Obviously these weren't taken by me - they are from the Melbourne archives.
Scenic Lookout
In the forested mountains a few kms past Healesville on the way to the Black Spur is Selovers Lookout. You can see the Maroondah Reservoir. I was there last Sunday - ever stood on a mountain and sung at the top of your lungs? It's a great feeling. Christmas carols blaring from the CD, I stood here and belted out the "Gloria In Excelsis Deo" from Angels We Have Heard On High. (I've also danced on the side of a mountian while singing ABBA!)
"Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth."
— Mark Twain
Pass the Salad
Christmas 2009 - A great day was had by all. I hope your Christmas was wonderful too.
Cheers.
Friday, 25 December 2009
But the Angel said to them,
Do not be afraid, for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people,
For today in the city of David,there has been born for you a Saviour,
Who is Christ the Lord.
"Adeste Fideles" is the name of a hymn tune attributed to John Francis Wade and the first line of the Latin text for which the tune was written. The text itself has unclear beginnings, and may have been written in the 13th century.
I wish everybody a happy and holy Christmas, and for those who are unhappy or troubled, may you find peace, love and happiness. May the Spirit of Christmas fill your heart with hope and bring you joy.
'Angels' in Greek mean 'Messengers' The Angel Gabriel gave Mary the message that She was to bear a child. It is said we all have a Guardian Angel. We place an Angel on top of our Christmas tree. According to the New Testament, when people are sorry for their sins, the Angels rejoice. Angels voices filled the skies on the night of Jesus birth.
Angels We Have Heard On HighThe words of this song are based on a traditional French carol known as Les Anges dans nos campagnes (literally, "Angels in our countryside"). Its most common English version was translated in 1862 by James Chadwick.
This recording is from Carols by Candlelight. Every Christmas Eve since around 1955, in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl here in Melbourne, the carols have been performed and proceeds go to the RVIB. (Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind.) And every Christmas Eve, hundreds of people have their television stations tuned to channel 9 watching this wonderful performance.
Just to add, this recording has the best version of "Angels We Have Heard On High". The singer is Mariah Carey and this song has sort of become her "signature" piece at the carols. Thousands of people sit on chairs, and on the grass, holding a lighted candle, waving them around for two or three hours every Christmas Eve.
Christmas Blessings.
God bless.
The Christmas Stocking These are my family's stockings, and we have from left - Master 5, Master 4, Master nearly 2, Miss 8 months and Miss 7 months.
I want to tell you the story of an empty stocking
Once upon a midnight clear, there was a child's cry, a blazing star hung over a stable, and wise men came with birthday gifts. We haven't forgotten that night down the centuries. We celebrate it with stars on Christmas trees, with the sound of bells, and with gifts.
But especially with gifts. You give me a book, I give you a tie. Aunt Martha has always wanted an orange squeezer and Uncle Henry can do with a new pipe. For we forget nobody, adult or child. All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to hang it up. The stocking for the Child born in a manger. Its His birthday we're celebrating. Don't let us ever forget that.
Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most. And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.
Cantique de Noรซl (O Holy Night)
The first time I heard this carol it brought tears to my eyes, it is so beautiful. Composed by Adolphe Adam in 1847 to the French poem "Minuit, chrรฉtiens" by Placide Cappeau (1808-1877), a wine merchant and poet. Cappeau was asked to write a Christmas poem by a parish priest.
The great Enrico Caruso recorded this on 23rd February 1916.
From the ashes comes hope ~ Kinglake was one of the towns that was wiped out in the Black Saturday bushfires this year. The two blackened stumps are remnants of that fire. This photo was taken last week - outside the Kinglake police station. The adding of a Christmas tree and decorations brings a glimmer of hope not only to children but adults as well. Below the photo is the story of the Christmas Tree.
The Story of the Christmas Tree
Many hundreds of years ago, people thought evergreen trees were special and put candles on them to banish the dark of winter. Throughout 10th century Europe came a beautiful story, (said to have been told by an Arabian named Georg Jacob) that on the night that Christ was born, all the trees in all the forests - even those in frozen countries - blossomed for one night, and bore fruit.
In 13th century France, legend tells of a huge tree in the forest lit with candles - some were straight, some upside down, and at the top of the tree there was an infant with a halo around his head. The tree represented humanity, the candles were people, good and bad, and the child was Jesus.
It is said that Martin Luther returning home one dark night, saw stars twinkling through the evergreen trees, and brought indoors a small fir and lit it with candles to show his family. From there, indoor Christmas trees spread throughout Germany and across Europe - Prince Albert set up a Christmas tree in England when he married Queen Victoria in 1841.
From Germany comes today's beautiful old Christmas carol O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) sung by the Vienna Boy's Choir. A Tannenbaum is a fir tree and this version was written in 1824 by Ernst Anschรผtz. The melody is an old folk tune.
Music is what feelings sound like These three young girls started playing yesterday outside the Healesville shopping centre and brought smiles to all who passed.
Each day from now until Christmas Day I will be posting something Christmas related and will include a (Youtube) video of some of my favourite Christmas carols. I hope you enjoy them as much as I like listening to them.
Today it is Il est nรฉ le Divin Enfant, a traditional French Christmas carol, the original words written in Latin by a Franciscan Priest in the XIIIth century, and sung by the children's choir, the Petits Chanteurs ร la Croix de Bois.
The bend in the river reflects the turns we make in life - everchanging and alterable. I never tire of looking at the mighty Yarra - in all seasons there is beauty.
Ten miles down Reedy River
A pool of water lies,
And all the year it mirrors
The changes in the skies,
And in that pool's broad bosom
Is room for all the stars;
Its bed of sand has drifted
O'er countless rocky bars.
Chrome and Leather
You're the guy that'll be sneaking out of your bedroom at three o'clock in the morning to look at your bike. ~Paul Teutul, Sr., American Chopper, "Billy Joel"
These chaps were across the road from the two "bikies" in yesterday's photo, and rode off with all the pomp (and noise) that comes with it. And having ridden on the back of a Harley in the middle of the Australian desert with the wind in your hair, I can understand - there's nothing quite like it!
I'd love to be a fly on the wall!
I was in Strath Creek this afternoon and noticed these two "bikies" deep in conversation. Something about the stance of the gray camouflage pants one and the expression on the face of the red jacketed one had me wondering what the topic might be...
Spiderman eat your heart out!
You may not find Connery or Cage, but these youngsters might give them a run for their money. They were having the time of their life climbing this "rock" and swinging down and around.
The wheels of the bikes go round and round
Strolling along the Yarra some weeks ago, seeing this chap and his daughter riding their bikes brought to mind the song by Mireille Mathieu. I remember hearing this on the radio when I was a little girl and the melody always stuck in my mind.
I did my back in again. An old injury has flared up and at present it's lie flat on my back or find a comfortable position on the sofa with plenty of cushions! My time on the computer has been limited, not very comfortable sitting on a kitchen chair. I really must invest in a proper computer chair with back support - ergonomic I believe they're called. I've not been able to visit and see all the wonderful photos as much as I'd like just at the moment, but I'll do my best.
Cheers.
Continuum by Michael Snape (1951 - )
Created in 2005, this impressive artistic work measures 600 x 600 x 1200 cm and stands at the intersection of The Esplanade and Bourke Street along Waterview Walk. Essentially, Continuum is about the dance of life, reflecting the human condition of being alive.
The interconnected figures encircle each other and reach up to the sky, conveying a sense of community, co-operation and wellbeing. The artist was inspired by the Docklands coming to life again, impacting on the community's sense of self and causing "an internal shift: this is the continuum."
The Leaning Glass
Take a walk along Docklands, and in the grounds near Southern Cross Station is this leaning conglomerare of frosted glass and metal with etchings on each 'tier'. What it is nobody knows and try as I might I've not been able to find out from the Melbourne City Council - it isn't listed in their documents.
And so - I wonder about the artist who created it as I look at its smooth, clean lines.
Walking along busy Puckle Street, I noticed this chap with his leg bandaged and a pair of crutches. His name is Dominic and he tells me he works in the building industry. About 150 lbs of building material came down on him damaging his knee. He explained how he put his hands out when he saw the stuff coming down and had he not done so his knee would have been more severely damaged.
Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.
