Southgate Footbridge

Built in 1989 the Southgate pedestrian bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne provides the main pedestrian link for thousands of workers and tourists between Flinders Street Station and the Southgate business and entertainment precinct.

The Curved Arch

 

Originally finished with traditional Merbau timber decking and painted with “anti slip” paints, City Wide services in 2006 removed the existing timber deck and replaced it with prefabricated “OmniTreads”. Constructed from dressed Merbau timbers OmniTread decking panels are prefabricated to include the unique OMNIGRIP Deco surfacing to provide a durable, slip resistant and aesthetically pleasing decking finish.


The footbridge from Princes Bridge

 

The bridge was designed by Melbourne architects Cocks and Carmichael. The curve of the arch is a parabola and is 45.7 metres in length.

Artwork on the bridge

 

As you walk over the bridge from Southgate, the large metal sculpture is on the lower level on the left hand side before the start of the arch.

Today's Quote: Let every man praise the bridge that carries him over - English Proverb.

Federation Square - ACMI

Federation Square, known locally as Fed Square, is a cultural precinct in Melbourne and comprises a series of buildings containing a museum, art galleries, a public broadcaster, exhibition spaces, auditoria, cinemas, restaurants, bars and shops.

ACMI - Australian Centre for the Moving Image

 

ACMI is a world-leading centre for experiencing the moving image in all its forms - film, television, and internet. All year round you can discover the riches of over a century of cinema, through film festivals, curated seasons and regular themed programs.

View from Flinders Street

 

Notice the unique sandstone building façade.

Alfred Deakin Building

 

The Alfred Deakin Building is home to the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Victorian State Governments film and screen culture organisation, and the Melbourne operations of SBS, Australia's multi cultural radio and television broadcaster.

The various facilities and services provided at the Alfred Deakin Building are assigned into the two different buildings. One is more enclosed, an almost windowless structure hosting the two cinemas, with a function space, digital lounge, retail space and cafe, while the other is more open containing the management offices, recording and broadcasting studios for SBS, as well as the corporate offices of ACMI, with theatrette, web-casting studio, electronic classroom, video production lab and numerous screen exhibition spaces.

Two different arcades have been used to provide public circulation within the building, as well as linkage and connection to the rest of Fed Square. The central arcade joins the two main buildings, providing both a Flinders Street and main Square level entry. The central arcade also forms the main foyer and circulation space that vertically connects all the functional components. The east arcade serves as a public connection to the Square, as well as providing an animation of the building through the temporal ebb and flow of people leaving the cinemas after each session.

Fed Square's Tiled Courtyard

Did you know there are almost half a million sandstone blocks in the main square and they were all hand laid? One cobble stone in the main square contains a prehistoric oyster shell.

Paved with 470,000 ochre-coloured sandstone blocks, these blocks are from the Kimberley in Western Australia and invoke images of the Outback. The paving is designed as a huge urban artwork called 'Nearamnew', by Paul Carter and gently rises above street level, containing a number of textual pieces inlaid in its undulating surface.

Inlaid Artwork

Flinders Street Entrance

 

This view was taken from the corner of Russell Street and Flinders Street looking west towards Flinders Street Station.

360º view of Fed Square

Federation Square is huge and is bordered by Flinders, Swanston, and Russell Streets and the Yarra River. The open public squares are directly opposite Flinders Street Station to the west with St Paul's Cathedral to the north. The layout of the precinct connects the historical central district of the city with the Yarra River and Birrarung Marr. This refocusing of the city on the Yarra River reinforces links with the Southbank district, which is on the west side of Swanston Street and south of Flinders Street. (The above panaromic view is from Wiki)

Today's Quote: I never called my work an 'art' It's part of show business, the business of building entertainment - Walt Disney.

Painted Poles

Painted Poles

Another display of Melbourne's beautiful public art.
Standing outside the State Library of Victoria in Swanston Street, these elaborately painted metal poles are the work of Jennifer McCarthy and were painted in 1992. Her work involves three poles painted in a colourful, highly decorative style. This work is not considered permanent. The City of Melbourne commissioned this work as part of the Swanston Street Walk Public Art Project.

You can see one of Melbourne's trams in the background. A city with trees in almost every street.

Today's Quote: I'm painting an idea not an ideal. Basically I'm trying to paint a structured painting full of controlled, and therefore potent, emotion - Euan Uglow

Charles La Trobe

 

Charles La Trobe

Peter Corlett sculpted this 3 metre high bronze statue of Charles Joseph La Trobe which was unveiled 21st November 2006. It shows La Trobe reading the Proclamation of Separation looking rowards the city and dressed in full uniform.

 

Reading the Proclomation
The statue stands outside the Victorian State Library near La Trobe Street in the CBD.

 

Portrait of Charles Joseph La Trobe (1801 - 1875) by W. A. Hirschmann, 1851. State Library of Victoria.

About La Trobe
Charles Joseph Latrobe was born on 20th March 1801 and was the first lieutenant-governor of Victoria. On 30th September 1839, he arrived in Melbourne with his wife and daughter, a couple of servants and a prefabricated house.

The population of Port Phillip in 1839 was less than 2,000 - when he resigned in 1854 Melbourne was the then richest city in the world with a population of over 76,000. From a small settlement of wattle and daub houses, Melbourne now had a telegraph line, a railway line, gas lighting and the foundation stones had been laid for a public library as well as a university.

Unlike mmany colonial governors, La Trobe had no army or naval training and little or no administrative experience. He was a talented and cultured gentleman with high principles. Melbourne owes a great deal to Charles La Trobe, most of our gardens, national parks and societies we have are the result of his vision.

La Trobe's Cottage

La Trobe's cottage originally stood in Jolimont, but with the passing of time fell into disrepair. It was purchased in 1960 and relocated to King's Domain near the southern entrance to the Royal Botanic Gardens and restored by the National Trust. Many of the original furnishings were found and are on display in the restored cottage.

To get to the cottage, catch the No.8 tram heading south in Swanston Street and get off at stop 21 or 22.

Today's Quote: I am convinced that we shall get more than one strange animal before we have finished - Charles La Trobe 1847.

Room With A View

 

Let there be light
At the Southgate complex in Southbank, you get a fabulous view of the Yarra from this upper arched area. The "round the world" globe is decorative with stained glass underneath. Through the arch you can see Flinders Street Station, with the trees below forming part of the City Walk along the northern riverbank.


Below is a shot of the glass roof and metal lighting.

 

Today's Quote: Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror - Byrd Baggett.

The Waiting Game

 

Platform nine and three quarters?
Some of these people might very well have looked less bored if they really were waiting for the Hogwart's Special. As it is, they're stuck with platform five. The lady in the pink top is decidely tired of waiting, the fellow in the blue check top thought he may as well take the opportunity to eat, and the chap in the white t shirt resorted to reading a newspaper.

Do you realise we spent most of our lives waiting? Waiting for the train, waiting for it to stop raining, waiting for a taxi to come, waiting for the dinner to cook and - waiting for the train.

Today's Quote: But the important thing about learning to wait, I feel sure, is to know what you are waiting for - Anna Neagle

Melbourne Central Clock

 

What's The Time Mister Wolf?
This gleaming, ginormous fob watch is in Melbourne Central, a large shopping complex in the CBD. Designed by Seiko, this masterpice of imagination enthralls many. Every hour, on the hour, people stop and stare in wonder to watch the marionette display which drops down from the bottom of the watch.

See Aussie birds and animals - galahs, cockatoos (cockies) a couple of minstrels and koalas moving around as the strains of Waltzing Matilda are heard. The whole show goes for around 3 or 4 minutes. And while the music plays, you hear the sounds of birds twittering away. You'd almost think you were in the Australian bush - the birdsong is so real.

Next time I'm in the city, I'll try to be here as the clock strikes and get a photo of the display.

Today's Quote: Tempus fugit (time flies)- Ovid.

Scenic Sunday - TarraWarra Lake

 

TarraWarra Lake
In the Yarra Valley on the Healesville-Yarra Glen Road is TarraWarra Estate, one of a number of fantastic wineries. Established over 20 years ago, TarraWarra has lovely gardens and sitting outside enjoying a drink or coffee, this is just one of the enchanting views.

We were here one Sunday afternoon and after tasting at the cellar door just wandered around drinking in the scenery.

Today's Quote: Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books - John Lubbock.


To see other Scenic Sundays click here.

Apologies for not posting every day and visiting - I am going overseas in four days and have been busy organising the last minute details - as the time draws ever nearer I find there are many things still undone. I will try my best to visit your blogs before Thursday.

The Spiral Staircase

 

Round and round and round she goes
Spiral staircases have been around long, long ago. You may think they were invented in the Middle Ages, but they've been around a lot longer than that. In the Bible, there were "winding" stairs in Solomon's Temple, and the oldest archaeological remains are thought to be the remnants of a 2,500 year old spiral staircase at a Greek temple in Selinunte, Sicily.

This wonderful example is at Southbank and covers three levels - climbing it is not as easy as it looks.


Today's Quote: Never look backwards or you'll fall down the stairs - Rudyard Kipling.

Theme Day - Passageway

Up The Ramp
This is one of the underground ramps of Flinders Street Station to the platform. Initially I had cropped it for a later post, but I think it looks more fitting in its unaltered state.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Today's Quote: A valet, of stealthy step, thence conducted me, in silence, through many dark and intricate passages in my progress to the studio of his master - Edgar Allan Poe.

Southbank & Southgate

 

Southbank from Princes Bridge
Southbank is the area that stretches along the southern bank of the Yarra River. It starts the moment you cross Princes Bridge, turn right and walk down the steps to the river. Southbank was once an old and neglected area, mostly industrial, which has been rejuvenated as the heartbeat of the central city area.

 

The Yarra River
This has been done by using the Yarra River as a central feature and by introducing entertainment facilities along the river bank. The main focal point is the Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, which is Melbourne's main entertainment precinct. This photo is facing north and was taken from Southgate. The green dome you see is Flinders Street Station and the Church spire is that of St. Paul's which is on the opposite corner diagonally to the station.

 

Trendy Cafes
There are upmarket shops and restaurants, trendy cafes, food courts and a five-star hotel. I took this photo from one of the upstairs levels.

 

Hamer Hall
This area also is the home of the Arts Centre and its theatres, as well as the Hamer Hall (previously Melbourne Concert Hall). At Southgate, a huge emphasis is placed on outdoor eating and sidewalk entertainment. A market is held along the footways at the eastern end of the river bank on Sunday mornings.

 

Relaxing at Southgate
It is not only tourists who love Southbank and Southgate - many Melbournians when visiting the city come for a snack and a drink, and city workers can be seen on their lunchbreak relaxing under the many shady trees along the Promenade. The trees are deciduous so the area still gets plenty of light even on the darkest winter day. It is also a great area for families - at weekends and during school holidays especially - mums and dads and babies in prams.

 

Cruising the Yarra
You can catch a steamboat opposite the Southgate complex for a trip up the Yarra.

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.

Skywatch Friday - At The Dawning Of The Day

At the Dawning of the Day

"Every Sunrise"
Every sunrise is a present, A gift from God above,
Gift-wrapped with scarlet ribbons, Tied with bows of love.

Each day's a new beginning, A time to start anew,
While all the stars are sleeping, The rose is fresh with dew.

Each day's a new creation, Too lovely to ignore,
We may find a blessing, Just outside our door.

We cannot keep the past, Like fireflies in a jar;
Nor journey to the future, By wishing on a star.

Every sunrise is a blessing, A gift for just today,
Rejoice my friend, Embrace it before it fades away!

Author Unknown


To see other skies around the world click here.


Today's Quote: Morning glory is the best name, it always refreshes me to see it - Henry David Thoreau.

Melbourne's Western Skyline Over The Yarra

 

Both sides of the Yarra
I took this photo last Thursday from Princes Bridge. You can see Melbourne's western skyline. On the right hand side along the river bank is the start of the CBD, while "across the Yarra" to your left is the Southbank precinct which I'll be posting about later.

Did you know that in 1835 John Pascoe Fawkner’s ‘Enterprize’ sailed up the Yarra from Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania)? A feat of navigational skill back then crossing Bass Strait. (Bass Strait is the stretch of water between Victoria and Tasmania)

In the distance are two bridges - a foot bridge and further down Sandridge Bridge built in 1888. As you can see, there are a number of riverboats, ferries and water taxis which offer river cruises - you can cruise up east to Hawthorn, or perhaps you might like to head out west to the Docklands and Flemington Racecourse, or maybe further on down to Williamstown and enjoy a day at the beach.

Whichever you choose you can be guaranteed a wonderful day of seeing Marvelous Melbourne.

Today's Quote: In rivers, the water that you touch is the last of what has passed and the first of that which comes; so with present time - Leonardo da Vinci.

Graffiti Triptych

 

Strolling through Melbourne Central last Thursday, as I was making my way along to get to Russell Street, this glorious riot of colour met my eyes.

 

The artwork was longer than a Chinese dragon! Melbourne has some very talented artists who adorn our laneways and alleys with terrific paintings.

 

I have been to all states and territories but Melbourne stands out as the Graffiti capital - so much originality - much more interesting than looking at plain walls.

 

The three shots joined together to give you some idea of what I saw.


Today's quote: I paint because I love it, and it adds character to any inanimate object. Whether it is a wall or a footpath. It brings the streets to life - Rone.

Scenic Sunday - Stopover

A wagon ride?

Gotta dream boy
Gotta song
Paint your wagon
And come along

I spotted this wagon standing forlorn in the grounds of Lovegrove Winery Estate and was reminded of the film "Paint Your Wagon" and thought of the many hundreds of emigrants of an earlier age where horse and wagon was the only means of transport. Looking at these times from the comfort of the 21st century, they bring visions of romance and excitement, of being on the road facing new adventures with new landscapes to see each day.

In reality however, it would have been a long, tiring, often dangerous journey, not knowing when you might meet dangers and pitfalls along the way. Those early emigrants must have been a sturdy lot. I wonder how many of us today would have the strength and stamina to make such a journey?

Click here to see other Scenic Sundays around the world.

Today's quote: Hitch your wagon to a star - Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Melbourne Central - Coops Shot Tower

The Melbourne Central shot tower and iconic glass cone.

Located at Knox Place Melbourne, Coop’s Shot Tower and Flanking Building were erected in 1889-90 and consist of a two storey, three bay brick structure dominated by a fifty metre high castellated tower. The Tower was used for the manufacture of lead shot until closing in 1960. It remained unoccupied until being incorporated into the Melbourne Central shopping centre in the late 1980s-early 1990s.

Coops Shot Tower is classified by the Victorian Heritage Register and is protected by state law.

Today's Quote: Where is the Princess? In the Tower waiting for us to rescue her - Shrek.

Black Saturday - One Year On

The road to Marysville before the bushfires

Today, 7th February 2010, is exactly one year since the horrific bushfires known as Black Saturday swept across my state in which 173 people died, and devastated Kinglake, Flowerdale and wiped out Marysville. Of the 700 or so homes and businesses in Marysville, only 5 were left standing. The temperature on that day reached 46.4º, today a year later the expected temperature is 29º - that's 17º cooler.

Marysville - The old water wheel

Marysville - The petrol station
I have been back several times in those areas and on my first trip back to Marysville, I almost got lost - I didn't recognise anything - all the "landmarks" were gone.

Marysville - Remembrance

 

Kinglake NP
Re-generation has begun although Lake Mountain is still an eerie, leafless wilderness as is most of Kinglake NP.

 

Kinglake - Rebuilding

 

Kinglake Farmers Market
Kinglake restarted their farmers market (2nd Sunday of the month) in October and building has begun.

 

Marysville - Just before New Year's Day
On my last trip it was just before New Year and there was a feeling of festivity in the air - trees were decorated with Christmas decorations, and the supermarket had re-opened on the site of the former car museum on Saturday 5th December - five months after the bushfires.

 

Marysville - Christmas Gate

 

Marysville - Christmas Tree
This once glorious tree stands at the corner of Pack Road and Murchison Street

 

Marysville - Decorated handrail
The steps and handrail leading to the footpath is between Fraga's and the Bakery Cafe in Murchison Street.

Marysville - Ye Olde Style Lolly Shoppe
Uncle Fred and Aunty Val's Olde Style Lolly Shop was a wonderful world of goody-num-nums at 8 Murchison Street. Julia Harris re-opened on the 10 July 2009 in a tin shed on the same site.

Today's Quote: Our passion are the true phoenixes; when the old one is burnt out, a new one rises from its ashes - Goethe.

Apologies for not visiting and commenting, I have been heavily involved in a case over the past few weeks and have had very little spare time and will endeavour to rememdy this.☺