Arts & Culture » History
Telephone exchanges in South Melbourne
Newspapers in 1920 stated their opinion that the day was not far distant when the telephone would be installed in every home, just as the water, mains and sewers are connected in the cities.
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On the ropewalk!
Ropemaking can be traced back to early days of seafaring, and became more necessary with the rigging and lashings of sailing ships, which required large quantities of strong, large diameter ropes for shipping together with ropes for haulage, rope drives, lifting cranes, etc.
Read MoreA history of fire in Southbank
“Fire! Fire!” was a cry that was feared during the 19th century in South Melbourne, much of which is now known as Southbank.
Read MoreTrouble at the mill!
In the pre-WWII years, the area now known as Southbank contained a number of knitting mills that fuelled the growing Australian domestic market for textiles.
Read MoreMid-century modern on St Kilda Rd
The firm of Bates Smart McCutcheon (BSM) has been a major contributor to architecture in Victoria for more than 150 years.
Read MoreNew church in Southbank
In the early twentieth century, traditional church denominations in Melbourne were joined by two new churches - the Latter-day Saints (generally referred to as the Mormons) and the Christian Science Church.
Read MoreSpencer Street Bridge
At the western end of Southbank lies the Spencer Street Bridge, a major interwar crossing that carried traffic to and from the city over the Yarra River.
Read MoreWhen the circus came to Southbank
It sits on the wall outside Hamer Hall – a mural dedicated to Wirth’s Circus, which occupied part of the St Kilda Rd site from 1907. The circus was touted as the “Greatest Show on Earth” and caused great excitement when it came to Melbourne.
Read MoreGovernment House and its golden-yellow flag
On the eastern horizon of Southbank and on the outer edge of the Botanic Gardens, Government House (the official residence of the Governor of Victoria) sits proudly and can be seen by residents of Southbank.
Read MoreUnder the spire at the Arts Centre
The Arts Centre spire is an icon of Melbourne and Southbank. The white lacework spire rises graciously over the Arts Centre on St Kilda Rd and provides a visual highlight for Southbank.
Read MoreCable trams, Rolls Royces and a luxury hotel
Heading south from Southbank along St Kilda Rd takes you past the Royce Hotel, a distinctive boutique hotel – and one with a fascinating history.
Read MoreWhen the MCG was in Southbank!
Many residents of Southbank have a good view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from their windows and balconies.
Read More“Chevalier Blondin” – from Niagara Falls to Southbank
It’s a long way from Niagara Falls in the USA to Southbank, via numerous other spots in the world. Yet that was the journey taken by “Chevalier Blondin”, born Jean Francois Gravelet in 1824, an adventurer who specialised in walking on tightropes, a skill developed in his native France.
Read MoreRowing sheds in Southbank
President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society The sport of rowing has always been prominent in Victoria, particularly in Melbourne, located as it is on two rivers.
Read MoreWhen Southbank was a canvas town!
President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society Television news regularly confronts us with images of large refugee camps around the world
Read MoreThe NGV entrance and Coat of Arms
Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society After many years of planning, deliberating, and negotiating, the new National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) opened in 1968 in St Kilda Rd, Southbank on the former Wirth’s circus site
Read MoreSouthbank and Sennitt’s Ice Cream
President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society One of the enduring memories for older residents of Southbank was the milk bars that were located on many corners in the streets of Melbourne
Read MoreASPRO in Southbank
President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society The headache remedy called ASPRO has probably been used by all Australians at some stage and it has a strong link to Southbank
Read MoreTimber yards in Southbank
President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society One of the major industries in 19th century South Melbourne (in what is now Southbank) was timber yards
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