Melbourne's Olympic Legacy Part 1

 Melbourne's Olympic Legacy Part 1

1965 Aerial view of District

The Olympics is nearly on us again, even though it wasn’t that long ago we experienced the crowd free Co-vid effected Tokyo Games, this years Paris Olympics are greatly anticipated by even those who don’t really follow sport that much

 With the build-up to the Paris Games, I decided to have a look back on the legacy of the 1956 Melbourne Games. Growing up in the 1960s & '70s, I visited a lot of the venues, watched them be repurposed, and in some cases, demolished.

Melbourne won hosting rights in 1949, beating Buenos Aries by a single vote. The Melbourne Cricket Ground was to be the main venue and centrepiece. By the time Melbourne was chosen, it had already existed for close to a century and was already a major landmark. Situated in a central position close to public transport, it was also adjacent to one of our city’s founding fathers’ fortunate decisions.

Across the railyards where most of the city’s Olympic legacy lies.

Nearly seventy years ago, Melbourne already had a dedicated sports precinct where many of the events were held, Having already existed since 1896 and well placed, These venues just needed some attention, slap a ring logo on them and our city had its own Olympic Park next to the city centre, one whose location still exists today. Throw in a ready-made workforce returned from the war. Melbourne was set to build.

A dedicated sport and recreation area since the 1860s, the realignment of the Yarra River in 1896 created the park as it is today.

1966 Map of district

Originally an area of multipurpose activity. The fields were used for all types of sports at one stage a  motordome was built which hosted motorbikes on the track and Aussie rules, wrestling, rugby union, and dirt bikes on the in-field. The motordome was torn down in the 30s and replaced by a boarded cycling track and was renamed ‘Olympic Park’, predicting its eventual use by 20 years

Once, Olympic Park was modified again, with two arenas (Conveniently called Ground 1 & 2) and an improved velodrome installed plus hockey and soccer fields. The one major structural addition was the Olympic swimming pool, erected on the riverbank at the park’s western edge.

So, as you can imagine Olympic Park was by far busier than the main stadium (MCG) hosting all swimming, diving, water polo, hockey, soccer, and nonroad cycling events

This is how I remember the area as I used to catch the train into the city. All the buildings were on full display as you passed through the Jolimont railyards. The Swimming Centre still displays the Olympic Rings. By then though Ground 2 had been transformed into a Greyhound track, with Ground  1 becoming our premier track and field and Soccer venue. The Velodrome fared less well, becoming a car park.

2024 Map of district

These days, of course, it is a world-famous sports precinct including the Tennis stadiums, AAMI Park (velodrome/Ground No.1), and Collingwood headquarters main training track (Swimming centre/ Ground No.1). All venues all doubling as entertainment venues from Rock shows to Opera and Monster trucks to Circus’ as well as major sporting codes.

Other venues for the 1956 Games were the Exhibition Buildings, which due to heritage protection still remains as it did in 1956, almost the same as it did in 1888 for that matter. However, for the Olympics, a stadium annex was built, which along with some temporary seating, was all that was needed to prepare the venue for hosting the basketball, wrestling, and weightlifting.

Another unspoiled venue is the St. Kilda Town Hall which hosted the Fencing.

Festival Hall in West Melbourne, was the host of the Boxing and Gymnastics.

When I was growing up Festival Hall was the major events venue for bands, housing shows from the Beatles, Rolling Stones to Frank Sinatra and Liberace. It nearly wasn’t an Olympic venue as it burned down in 1955 but was quickly rebuilt in time for the Games. It has been upgraded to a more modern facility and it still operates today.

The Sailing was held in Port Phillip Bay, which is obviously still with us today and all the rowing was held in Ballarat on Lake Wendouree, though it had its problems getting ready and complying with international regulations it was a hugely successful event for Ballarat, even though Australia won no medals. I first visited it in the drought years of the mid-2000s when it was virtually a field, but going back recently and seeing it full made me realize how wonderful and idyllic a venue it must have been.

The Shooting was held at the Williamstown Rifle Range, it is now a housing estate.

Venues used for 1956 events

The modern Pentathlon was held in three venues, shooting at the above-mentioned Rifle range, fencing at St Kilda, and two other disciplines, swimming and running at Olympic Park, whilst the show jumping was held at Broadmeadows at the Oakland Hunt Club, which still exists today as a riding school. It was the only sport where horses were used in the Melbourne Games as local horses were supplied for the athletes. All other Equestrian events were held in Stockholm Sweden due to Australia’s strict quarantine laws. Something that doesn’t seem as much a problem these days, judging by the amount of foreign horses in the Melbourne Cup.

Originally published in BBCN Issue 334 July 2024

VBirds

 VBirds

VBirds were a British virtual girl group, created in 2002 by a team of designers, producers and musicians. An animated television series of the same name, consisting of six one-minute episodes, aired on Cartoon Network between long-form programming. The band's only single, "Virtuality", was released on Liberty Records and reached No. 21 in the UK Singles Chart in early 2003. 

A spin-off series of dance tutorials, VBirds: Perfect,] aired in 2003. Despite its success as a promotional tool to keep young viewers watching during ad breaks, no further singles were released. One could almost claim they were created to capitalize on the success of Gorillaz. 

The band's backstory revolved around them being exiled from their home planet of Planet V by its ruler, King He:Lin, for refusing to participate in the dance farms on their planet. They were shrunk down in size and put into a dance machine which was launched from the planet down to Earth, so the humans could play with them as long as they wanted. The story concluded with He:Lin's echoing words "Enjoy yourselves while you can, VBirds. For you will never escape your dance machine prison!" The VBirds were interviewed on SMTV Live. In the interview, Bling and Wow compare their music to that of fellow girl groups Destiny's Child, Mis-Teeq and the Sugababes. 

 Members

 • Boom is perhaps the most witty and energetic member of the group, although she can also be very bad tempered. Boom is able to create and throw pulsating balls of colour by blowing a kiss into her hand. This gives her a knack for decoration. 

• Wow is the most mature VBird. Her powers calm those around her, allowing her to keep most arguments under control. 

• Bling is the most fashionable of the girls and can easily show it by using her powers to create new costumes for the group in an instant. Although this ability comes in handy for the group during performances, she prefers to use it in her free time to annoy the other girls.

 

• D:Lin is the youngest in the group, and with green skin she stands out more than the other VBirds. D:Lin loves nothing more than DJing whenever the group is not performing, and she also uses records as throwing weapons whenever the situation calls for it.

Music

"Virtuality" is the group's only single. It includes the B-side "Dance With Me", which samples the Woo! Yeah! portion of "Think (About It)" by Lyn Collins and vocals from "Virtuality". A music video for "Virtuality" was also released and included in select versions of the CD single.

VIRTUALITY

An episode.

Source: Wikipedia & youtube

Emerald Lake Experience.

 

As I keep writing, one of the perks of retirement is being able to visit popular places and events during the weekday when crowds are at a minimum. And let’s face it. Nothing is better than a stroll in the park on a warm late Summer day. Originally part of the Gembrook Nursery, Emerald Lake park still carries traces of its beginnings through the huge amount of mature deciduous and other non-native trees. This is a legacy of the nursery's ornamental garden that dates back to the beginning of the last century.

 It is truly amazing how the area incorporating the road from the main entrance passed the lake is still strikingly similar to what it was in a Rose series photograph taken in the 1940s.

Taking paths that lead west from the car park leads you through shady groves that follow the small creek with trees that have matured over the hundred-plus years they’ve been left to thrive with the tall ferns and gums. This eventually will lead you to the Emerald Museum & Nobelius Heritage Park. The museum is an immaculately kept building and is a treasure trove of historical artifacts from the area and its past. The surrounding garden, which also teems with history includes a 120-year-old Kiwi fruit that was introduced by the nursery's founder Carl Nobelius and still bears fruit today. Just above that is the original packing-shed siding for the nursery that Puffing Billy still passes by today.

Heading back to the eastern side of the car park below the main sloping lawns with its three amphitheatres is the main body of water Lake Treganowen, surrounded by walking paths with its paddleboats and protected wading area it all gives off the feel of a British period television show. You know you’re walking around the Dandenongs when you encounter stone pillar shelters with wooden picnic trestle tables. Another thing I found fascinating, while I’ll admit others will not, is the toilet block architecture which is like a history lesson of park amenity construction through the century. From the original block between the lake and the main road used as a toilet/ changing room for swimmers when the park officially opened in 1941, to the more besser brick building and patterned brick supported by round wooden poles construction in the Café and Bandstand area respectively that date between the 1950s and 1970s which also double as changing rooms. Though these days for the wading pool only, as swimming in the main lake is forbidden. And last, the more modern Nobelius block which is newer but made to look more in sync with the environment with its wooden structure and grey colours.

While the park has its mid-century charm, it’s the new area that has been built to enhance the Puffing Billy experience that really surprises. The Lakeside Visitors centre has been built to blend in with its surroundings. Next to the lakeside station and below the model railway shed (which, sadly, was closed the day of my visit), It is a vast area that services the multitude of visitors who disembark off the train waiting for the return journey. The building is open and airy, giving the impression of a large railway goods shed, which I’m pretty sure was their full intention. Walking from the station, the expansive opening invites you in and the design of the building promotes a natural traffic flow that takes you passed the ticket /information box and gift shop toward the huge café that is more than capable of dealing with the massive weekend Puffing Billy crowds. All along the way are quirky artworks by local artists.

However, what I found the most fascinating was  Lakeside Hall. A museum dedicated to the history of Puffing Billy and its multitude of volunteers.

Like most retired gents my age, I’m a sucker for old trains, but this even held my wife’s attention. The main feature, to me, besides the wonderful set pieces of train artifacts was the interactive display featuring a video narrated by Shane Jacobson and featured the partially restored but animated remains of one of the original trains used on the line the famous “3A”. A truly fun experience.

I have made a mental note to come back later in Autumn to catch the changing of the colour when the trees are shedding their leaves. I’d come for that even if there wasn’t a model railway exhibition to catch up on.

Originally published BBCN March 2024 Issue 330

Far North Queensland Tales - Crocs, coconuts, boats, and bears.

 Far North Queensland Tales - Crocs, coconuts, boats, and bears.

Last May we were on our yearly trip to Port Douglas, well, when I say yearly, I went there last year, and since we went again that qualifies as an annual event. I guess?

Anyway, on this visit the wife and I decided to take a river cruise to see if we could scope some infamous North end crocodiles. Fun fact: It has been estimated that worldwide about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year,

Australia has a large population of crocodiles, but the research has shown, there are only an average of less than two attacks a year.   Coincidently while we were there, the local newspaper’s front page headline revealed human remains were found inside two crocodiles and was believed to be those of a missing fisherman. So technically, our chances of not becoming reptilian munchies had vastly improved.

This was great supplementary information for our captain/guide who while taking us out on his little boat dressed up as an old paddle steamer told some interesting and wonderfully funny stories on our trip.

We took off from Port Douglas Marina under a noonday sun and a strong breeze that had finally sprung up to take the bite out of the humidity.

The boat took us down Packers Creek an estuary that doubles as a parking area for passing yachts, it is also the designated area for all small and larger sea vessels during a cyclone. It is said when that does happen the whole waterway can turn into a game of tetras. This time of year, cyclones aren’t much of a problem and many yachts come here not just to moor but to hang out for months at a time. It’s kind of like a homeless shelter for yachts. Considering some of these crafts can cost over $50,000 it’s quite a shock to see them looking like something from the streets of Los Angeles. Apparently, they are also illegally overstaying, but since the water police don’t come here often, they just hang around until they want to leave. It was in stark contrast to the multimillion-dollar super yachts all lined up and sparkling in the sun in the Marina proper.

Along the banks are signs warning visitors of the dangers of crocodiles in the area, but on all signs just below the big red warning is a dark  ACHTUNG! The reason was - so our captain told us- that it was due to 40% of those involved in croc attacks being German tourists, and the local authorities thought they better take some kind of action to lower that number. He also recalled how recently another tourist with a broad accent stuck his head in the cabin and said: ” It’s the same back home in  Canada, of all bear attacks, 45% of them are also German tourists”

Something to ponder.

Crocodiles were thin in the water this trip as it was perfect weather for them not to sun themselves on the mud flats. But luck was on our side when our eagle-eyed guide saw a three metre specimen resting on the bank a hundred metres or so up the waterway. He cut the engines and we drifted up and got nice and close, and we got lots of photos. 

On our return trip about fifteen minutes later he was gone. I made a mental note not to dangle my hands or feet in the water. I do have to stress however as we moved down the river, the grey of the mud flats, the bright green of the mangroves, and the brilliant blue sky made the tropics experience complete. All I needed now was a winged-backed cane chair and a daiquiri.

Before we knew it, we were back at the marina and as we disembarked the captain asked what we were doing for the rest of the day. I said we were going for a walk down on the beach, it’s so peaceful with all the palm trees lining the sand. He told us to be careful because the wind was picking up, and that can be a concern as falling coconuts take out more people than Sharks and Crocs combined. I assured him we would. As I left, I couldn’t help but start thinking. What percentage of those knocked on the head by coconuts were German tourists?

originally in the BBCN issue 326 Oct 2023

Sightseeing in Middle Earth

 Sightseeing in Middle Earth

I thought I'd bring this one out again for old times sake.

A Day at the Zoo

 A Day at the Zoo

2020

Usually visiting the Melbourne Zoo Royal Park mid-week is one of the best times, uncrowded and except for the odd school tour, relatively quiet. But we picked a day that was cold wet and windy, you know? Melbourne winter.

The animals were on a wet day timetable and weren’t in the mood to be seen that day. We were the ones walking around in the rain. Proof was in the offering that we kid ourselves that we are Mother Nature’s smartest species.

1922

The list of animals I partially saw or just didn’t see included the Lions, Orangutangs, Lemurs, Tasmanian Devils, Great Tortoise, pigmy hippos, wild dogs, and surprisingly, the penguins and seals who really don’t seem affected by bad weather because they’re always wet. 

1950s

The Elephants were staying put, they were having pedicures in their big steel barn. I knew it wasn’t our day when we grabbed a hot tea at the aptly named Giraffe Lookout café which sat high and directly opposite the Giraffe enclosure to have them immediately herded into another paddock while the curators cleaned their living quarters. I wasn’t going to let this little trip go to waste. Especially when I realized that the zoo had been operating here for over 160 years. There had to be a lot of history in this place.

1956

I needed to know how much was still here or even hidden away.

The Elliot Ave. entrance is like an old friend and with the brick outer walls extending each side, it has barely changed since I was a preschooler. My earliest memories were of the seal pool, which my dad told me used to be a monkey enclosure until the monkeys realised, they could jump over the moat and escape. I looked it up later, it was true and the enclosure was an art deco masterpiece, though not necessarily the most comfortable enclosure. It has now been replaced by the spectacular Wild Sea exhibit where the seals swim around you.

Just a short walk from Wild Sea, a massive Moreton Bay Fig that has survived many zoo reinventions and has been in the same spot for 110 years and is used as a scientific barometer for environmental studies such as CO2 emission data. Also, nearby which made childhood memories come flooding back, the fun fair which seemed huge when I was younger has been removed, the only thing remaining now is the original carrousel which is now over 140 years old and still operates. 

I thought I was doing a good job of finding the obvious, when I walked up a path that terminated abruptly by a low gate with a Staff Only sign on it. Standing at the gate I could see in between the trees the old Elephant sheds that once sat on a flat sandy area that had a deep concrete pit surrounding it. 

pre 1980

This prompted me to check out some material I have at home. The Zoo’s 150 Anniversary booklet and an old zoo map from the 1980s. Here I found proof of how much the landscape had changed in this relatively small area. I was complaining about the Giraffes earlier but it’s still one of two exhibits that seem unchanged from my childhood memories (which is true, it has been in the same spot for over one hundred years), that and the reptile house, which I will never look at the same way since I saw the first Harry Potter movie. The zoo to its credit doesn’t shy away from what it used to cage the animals in. Two well-preserved brick and steel bar enclosures still stand. 

One small loungeroom sized cage that once housed the big cats, the other a slightly larger and higher cage of similar build that housed the smaller primates and now holds the colourful Macaws which it is more suited to. The former actually held a Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger back in the 1920s, then it was referred to as a Tasmanian marsupial wolf.

2000s

The Zoo these days is known for its research, breeding, animal studies and education, and more importance is put on the comfort and welfare of the animals. Which shows how far we have come as a society. 100 years ago, the zoo had a museum featuring stuffed animals that had died there and held elephant rides as a supplementary income for the organization. I remember as a child seeing animals crammed into small concrete pits  and steel cages whereas in 2024 the elephants are leaving Royal Park and being transferred to Werribee free range zoo, where they will have an area to wander larger than the whole Melbourne Zoo area, as opposed to the current area equivalent to a small football oval. I may not have seen many animals on this horrible wintery day but at least I got to take a deep dive into exploring some history.

I also recommend a visit to the State Library website and check out the zoo’s maps over the years. Fascinating stuff. Just type Melbourne Zoo map into the search box and explore.

 

A DAY AT THE LIBRARY

 A DAY AT THE LIBRARY

Visiting the State Library on the corner of Latrobe and Swanston Streets in the city evoked memories of visits as a child to the museum. Memories of the marble staircases and large halls with mezzanine balconies. On the upper floor collections of coins, guns, medals, and machinery in glass boxes, and when you looked down below, arrays of stuffed animals also in glass cabinets, or canons, an FX Holden, and even a large dinosaur skull. Back in the day the library and the Museum were separate parts of the main building, these days the library takes up the whole area, or so I believe. Who knows what is still unattainable? On this visit, everything seemed so small from my memories even the lawns and entrance. The lawns are still full of those enjoying the lush grass, mainly young people, and students on a lunch break or just soaking up the sun, many from RMIT which is across the road.

Memories aside, the main reading area, The Latrobe, or as it is more commonly known: The Dome, is probably one of the most beautiful rooms in the city. With its hexagonal design and four balconies/floors surrounding it filled with ancient books. A quick elevator ride up to the top floor gives you an amazing view of the room and its surroundings and a beautiful light-filled ceiling. Actually, the view from all floors is just as spectacular just from a different height. The first floor above the reading room floor is full of displays of the library’s collection of rare and historical books. 

These displays range from biological and natural studies to Religious and popular works and it had me dreaming of just popping open one or two of the cases and turning some pages to see more. As mentioned earlier the old  Museum area has been transformed into more reading and research areas. The Redmond Barry room is the area I described at the start of this piece and I find it amusing that the patron of the library in its inception, who was also the judge that sentenced Ned Kelly to hang, has Ned Kelly’s armour proudly on permanent display outside the entrance of the hall.

Now that I have finally gotten around to coming back to the library (I have been a member for a decade, but do everything online) I plan to make more visits because the resources available are just so encompassing. Since the museum moved to its location at the Carlton Gardens in 2000 I must have made about ten visits but it was my last where I visited the permanent Melbourne exhibit which featured many old exhibits from the original site that I felt a real need to visit again, and I’m so glad I did. Knowing that it was just the revamped library something inside wanted to climb those marble staircases. What I found was so much more. I could get lost for months just in the newspaper archive, let alone the Australian reference section. I nearly forgot to mention the stunning art collection featuring large and local paintings from the colonial area. Lovers of design and architecture will have a wonderful time soaking up the inspiration and the atmosphere.

A trip I plan to make again soon for a much longer stay and one I recommend to anyone.

Previously published in BBCN April 2023 Issue 320