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Arts & Culture » History

Telephone exchanges in South Melbourne

Telephone exchanges in South Melbourne

March 8th, 2023 - Robin Grow

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!

February 8th, 2023 - Robin Grow

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.

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A history of fire in Southbank 

December 7th, 2022 - Robin Grow

“Fire! Fire!” was a cry that was feared during the 19th century in South Melbourne, much of which is now known as Southbank. 

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Trouble at the mill!

November 9th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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. 

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Mid-century modern on St Kilda Rd

October 5th, 2022 - Robin Grow

The firm of Bates Smart McCutcheon (BSM) has been a major contributor to architecture in Victoria for more than 150 years.

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New church in Southbank

September 7th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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Spencer Street Bridge

August 10th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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When the circus came to Southbank

July 6th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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Government House and its golden-yellow flag

June 8th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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Under the spire at the Arts Centre

May 11th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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Cable trams, Rolls Royces and a luxury hotel

April 7th, 2022 - Robin Grow

Heading south from Southbank along St Kilda Rd takes you past the Royce Hotel, a distinctive boutique hotel – and one with a fascinating history.

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When the MCG was in Southbank!

March 9th, 2022 - Robin Grow

Many residents of Southbank have a good view of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from their windows and balconies.

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“Chevalier Blondin” – from Niagara Falls to Southbank

February 10th, 2022 - Robin Grow

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.

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TAXI!

December 10th, 2021 - Robin Grow

President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society A major change arrived on Melbourne’s streets in the 1920s with the arrival of the taxicab

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Rowing sheds in Southbank

November 10th, 2021 - Southbank News

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.

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When Southbank was a canvas town!

October 6th, 2021 - Southbank News

President, Australian Art Deco & Modernism Society Television news regularly confronts us with images of large refugee camps around the world

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The NGV entrance and Coat of Arms

September 9th, 2021 - Southbank News

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

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Southbank and Sennitt’s Ice Cream

August 5th, 2021 - Southbank News

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

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ASPRO in Southbank

July 8th, 2021 - Southbank News

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

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Timber yards in Southbank

June 9th, 2021 - Southbank News

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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High-rise not told of COVID cases

High-rise not told of COVID cases

September 9th, 2020 - David Schout
Sustainability wins again!

Sustainability wins again!

December 10th, 2020 - Sean Car
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