Melbourne Places » CBD

The sealed capsule in Women’s Pioneer Garden, Royal Domain Gardens

Melbourne — Mon, 16 May 2011 06:16:09 +0000

The nice thing about doing this blog is that I keep learning more interesting information about Melbourne from the comments people leave on my posts. I have written about this beautiful and tranquil garden before in the The Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden Post. Julie has left a comment asking about the capsule that is underneath the sundial.

This is the result of a fund raiser for the establishment of the garden. In the 1930s women paid one shilling to put their name or the name of a pioneer woman ancestor on a list. I have read that thousands of names – the exact number doesn’t appear to be recorded anywhere- were collected and the capsule was buried under the sun dial with the supervision of the Unemployment Relief Programme. Thinking on that it suggests that one shilling was a lot of money for people to pay. There is a plaque.

Julie asks if there was a copy taken of the names and a record kept of them. From what I can understand that wasn’t done. I imagine that in the 1930s it wasn’t easy to copy documents.

Does anyone else have any further information? It is good to remember the women who helped to make this country great.

Getting there:-
The Pioneer Women’s Memorial Garden

Any tram from Federation Square that runs along St Kilda Road as far as the Domain Road Intersection, or if you want to get off in Domain Road and walk across the park lands from there catch the No 8.

There is metered parking along Birdwood Avenue and Linlithgow Avenue.

Melbourne Botanical Gardens and the Terrace Cafe on a wet day

Melbourne — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 09:30:20 +0000

I joined friends for lunch at the Terrace Cafe in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens on a wet weekday morning. It was a long standing date and we went despite the rain.

The easiest way to reach the Terrace Cafe that overlooks the ornamental lake is to enter the gardens from the corner of Anderson Street and Alexandra Parade. The paths are lined with trees which shelter them from too much rain.

The entrance on the corner of Anderson Street and Alexandra Parade

The gardens are different in the wet. The first sound we noticed was the pure ringing note from the bell birds. They appear to like warm, wet, still days.

As we walked moorhens scooted around us giving their high pitched squawk, the earth smelt of vegetation and the noise from cars in Anderson Street was deadened.

Friendly Moor Hens

We passed this notice.

I always look for turtles but I have never seen one even on a wet day like this one. I wonder if they are real and if any one has ever seen one.

It is quiet expect for the birds, the sound of rain on the leaves and the voices of visitors. Even voices seem to quieten on this moist day. It was peaceful and relaxing wandering along to the Terrace Cafe.

The cafe was restful too. We sat outside at the back completely protected from the rain and with glimpses of the lake. For a wet day the Terrace Cafe was busy, couples chatted over coffee, singles read, someone wrote and a group of mothers met there with very young and quiet babies. The voices came from the mothers in animated conversation.

The ornamental lake in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens as seen from the Terrace Cafe
The cafe is known for its scones, cream and jam. It is the one of the best places to have a Devonshire tea. The scones are so good you want to go home and try making them so you can keep indulging.

Scones cream and jam at the Terrace Cafe

Lunch is fairly simple.

Baguettes with a variety of fillings. These ones are smoked salmon and avocado.

Thai chicken pie.

The chips were excellent. If you like chips order a serve to have with your coffee if you just want a snack.

Presentation is tops. One of our group brings her own bread to have sandwiches made to order. This is what they created.

To cleanse your palate the fruit salad not only looks good but is refreshing. I like the way they write on their white plates

Rain or shine the Terrace Cafe is a relaxing place to be with good simple food. There is a garden shop next door with some interesting items including a very beautiful umbrella covered in pansies. Too beautiful to use – a beautiful present, perhaps.

Getting there:-
Tram No 8 get off at the corner of Domain Road and Park Street.
Enter the gardens from there and follow the signs.

Parking:-
There is 3 hour parking in Anderson Street and 2 hours on Domain Road.

Opening Hours:-
The Royal Botanical Gardens:-
Every day of the year from 7.30 to sunset.

The Terrace Cafe:-
9.45am to 4.00pm, May to September
9.00am to 5.00pm, October to April

The Melba Room at the Langham hotel-a return visit and another great eating experience.

Melbourne — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:22:25 +0000

Last week I had lunch at the buffet in the Melba Room at the Langham Hotel, Southbank, for the second time. It proved to be as good as my first visit about nine months ago.

The grand staircase leading to the Melba Room.

On this cold, bleak, winter Friday the dining room was almost full. Proving what I have always thought; a cold bleak day is an ideal day to spend eating.

This trip empathized just how great and varied the food is at the Melba Room buffet.

The Melba Room opens at noon and steadily fills up.

To me the lunch time buffet in the Melba Room is all about eating. The light, bright and elegant dining area is heavy with food and it needs to be eaten.

As we had been before and knew what was available we decided to plan our meal. That is, put some order into our eating and treat it like traditional feast with numerous courses.

I decided to pass on the soup – it was vichyssoise (leek and potato) which I make myself.

I began with hors d’oeuvres and headed for the cold meats and salads – delicious.

Then on to the fish course – prawns and crab and I added sushi to this course as a sort of sub course.

The sushi is made to your own personal order. The more knowledgeable about sushi you are the more you can vary what ends up on your plate.

I liked the idea of a stir fry for the next course, it was light with rice noodles available and scallops. The scallops were for use only by the stir-fry cook, not to be confused with the fish course– again we chose the ingredients.

You may think by now enough food has been consumed but think on those long Italian Lunches; course after course comes from the kitchen to the table and into continually munching and talking mouths.

It was now time for roast beef and the wonderful roasted vegetables – a sort of heavy main course. It lacked Yorkshire pudding. I wonder if the cooks can cook Yorkshire pudding. Has it gone out fashion? My mother always cooked it with roast beef.

By this time a good two hours had gone by and it was time for deserts.

Each desert is a perfect miniature

This slice was a work of art – as nice to look at as it was to eat.

Finally coffee and cheese.

We will be back and then I’ll try the curries. What course in a great English feast would include curry? And I missed the Chinese dumplings on this visit…………there is still more food to sample.

Times:
The Melba Room starts serving luncheon at noon, the hot food is removed at 2.30 and the restaurant closes at 4.00 to prepare for dinner.
Costs:
Monday to Friday $49.00.
Prices in the weekend are higher
Saturday $75.00
Sunday $84.00
It is suggested you book especially on Saturday and Sunday when it can be very busy.

Getting there:
The Melba Room, The Langham Hotel, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southgate 8696 8888.
You can enter from The Southbank Promenade along the river or it is just off St Kilda Road, in Southgate Avenue

Trams:
Any tram that goes to Federation Square or Flinders Street Station will get you there.

Cars:-
There is parking underneath – remember to get your parking ticket validated when you pay for your meal.

Camellia time at the Royal Melbourne Botanical Gardens is July and August

Melbourne — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:46:04 +0000

The camellia collection at the Royal Botanical Gardens Melbourne is planted in an imaginative way. The area is a sort of square with a twisting path that wanders between the plantings giving a touch of magic – almost as if you were in a private room of camellias.

Turn right after this beautiful tree and you are in the camellia garden

The magic is more pronounce at the moment with plantings of daphne amongst the camellia trees. The perfume from the daphne wafts around as you stroll along the path. It’s a heady sort of perfume.

There are early and late camellias so you are never there when every tree is in flower but the Royal Botanical Gardens say August is The camellia month. There is plenty to see at the moment and many of the species are identified by name.

Some beautiful white blooms.

Clumps of snowdrops tucked between the camellias give a touch of early spring.

Getting There:-
Any tram that goes down St Kilda Road.
Tram 8 runs alongside the gardens and into Domain Road which also borders the gardens.

Opening Hours:-
7.30am to sunset

Australian Made: 100 years of Fashion at the Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square

Melbourne — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 23:02:09 +0000

This is an exhibition of frocks from 1855 to 1960. It is interesting to see how design and fashion has changed over those 100 years. Especially when you think it reflects enormous social and lifestyle changes for women.

Day dress 1865-1870 sold in Geelong

The exhibition focused on where the dress was made and sold – that is what department store retailed it.
What I missed was how they were made especially those from the 1850s. Very elaborate garments with tucks, ribbons, bows, flounces, puffs etc. Who cut the patterns and what sort of sewing machine sewed with such intricacy? How much was done by hand?

Handmade dress 1850s

We know that one garment was made completely by hand. When you look at the frock and think about that, it is awe inspiring to consider the skill and time needed. You would also need good eye sight – although I’m sure people wore glass in the 1850s.

We know that in the 1950s dressmakers used tissue paper patterns – they can still be seen in op shops and at markets but how did they cut the design in 1850s – the same way?

The bodice of a wedding dress 1907

It is interesting to note that the 1950s fashion was more restrictive and formal that that of the 1920s. The 1920s garments are free and fun whereas the 1950s are designed to a ‘female figure’ with emphasis on the waist and full skirts with stiff petticoats.

1950’s day dress with stiffened petticoat

A disturbing item in the exhibition is the cape made of platypus fur. I worked it out that several of those charming beings gave up their life to make this cape.

Cape of platypus fur 1890

There is also a glass cabinet of accessories with descriptions of each one.

Perhaps the success of an exhibition is that when you leave you want to know more – your interest has been roused. I want to know more about the early frocks and how they were designed and how they were made. I want to know what the very early sewing machines looked like and easy they were to use.

What:-Australian Made 100 Years of Fashion.

Where:- The Ian Potter Centre: NGV, Federation Square

Opening Hours:- 10.00am to 5.00pm daily, until 23 Jan 2011

Admission:- Free

Sticky Institute for zines, creativity and the rumble of trains

Melbourne — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 22:21:35 +0000

The Sticky Institute was a great Melbourne Place to find. I came across it one day when I was hurrying through the underpass from Degraves Street to Flinders Street Station. I ducked into the subway under Flinders Street to speed up the journey and came face to face with the sign. I pulled up short, stared and trotted in and was so absorbed I missed my train.

I hadn’t heard of a zine before. It is pronounced ‘zeen’ and is a small, self published magazine with a small circulation and is usually reproduced by photocopier.

You can make your zine at the Sticky Institute. I haven’t made a zine yet but I enjoy browsing though the dozens on display and always buy one or two. For a couple of dollars, and that is all they are, you can share someone thoughts and get a peep into their world. The zines come in all shapes and sizes and they are a personal publication straight from the author’s mouth as it were – there is no editorial input. The ideas, the style of presentation, the layout and illustrations are the authors. Zines give complete freedom of expression and allow anyone to express themselves.

This is called ‘Mixed up Files of an Unusual Teenager’s Brain’ and made at the Sticky Institute. It comes with a badge which was also made at the Institute.

This is an American zine ‘Love Letters to Monsters #2′ and sold here in Melbourne.

Zines can be any size or shape you like. This is locally made zine is called ‘ The Day of the School Bag.’

Anyone can use the The Sticky Institute’s shop/workshop to make their zine or badge. You can also spend as long as you like browsing and reading and when you feel the creative urge talk to the staff. They are mostly volunteers and of course love the world of zines.

The most you pay for a zine is $5.00 but many are just $1 or $2.

The Sticky institute is alive with creative energy and music. This is often intensified by the rumble of a passing train, just to let you know you are underground.

The shop/work space has been around since 2001 so it definitely works as a creative space . On the shelves you can find zines from all around Australia and the world.

Getting there:-
Shop 10 Campbell Arcade
Degraves Street
Melbourne Phone 9654 9559

If you are getting off the train use the center stairs and find the exit to Flinders Street.

If you are on Flinders Street duck down the subway, opposite the side entrance to the Flinders Street station, at the end of Degraves Lane – there are two entrances.

Opening Hours:-
Monday to Friday
12.00 (noon) to 6.00pm
Saturday 12.00(noon) to 5.00pm
Sunday closed
CAMPBELL ARCADE IS CLOSED ON SUNDAY.

Find out more about the Sticky Institute from their web site here

Rupert Bunny Exhibition – The Ian Potter Centre – Federation Square – CBD

Melbourne — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:24:25 +0000

Rupert Bunny is an Australian Artist who having been born here in Melbourne left for the cosmopolitan world of London and Paris. You can imagine how different life in Europe was at the beginning of the 20th century to life in Melbourne or any Australian city. His paintings depict it.

Rupert had grown up in an affluent household and learned to speak French and German fluently. He became much better known in Paris for his art than in the country of his childhood. He made a good living in France.

The exhibition at the Ian Potter Gallery at Federation Square is a very comprehensive look at his work, covering the different styles that evolved over the years

Rupert Bunny has become a news item over the last few weeks. His exhibition opened at the Ian Potter Centre in Federation Square and a painting of Rupert Bunny’s that was stolen 19 years ago was found in a house in East Malvern and was seized by the police during an early morning raid. The painting is called Girl in Sunlight and it belongs to my favourite era of his paintings – the Belle Epoque - meaning beautiful era

He excelled at painting beautiful women in beautiful frothy clothes showing a graceful and languid life style with a background of colour, texture, light and warmth from the Belle Epoque period.

These are the paintings I enjoyed. These are the paintings I bought post cards of. The NVG shop on the ground floor has a French inspired display in their window and you can buy a rose or poppy parasol/umbrella.

Those of us with a touch of the Francophile in us can’t resist.

A bag decorated with poppies is just another beautiful reminder of that time and place in history.

Here is an example of a completely different style that he painted. It reminds me of some of the Indian miniatures I have seen.

Rupert Bunny Exhibition:-
The Ian Potter Centre
Federation Square
CBD Melbourne

Opening Times:-
10.00am to 5.00pm Daily
The Exhibition lasts until July 4th

Admission:-
Adult $15.00
Concession $12.00
Child (ages 5-15) $7.50
Family $42.00
NGV Member $7.50
NGV Family $21

Opulence and Food, the Melba Room at The Langham Hotel,CBD

Melbourne — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:49:55 +0000

It’s a weekday and you have time on your hands and you’re hungry? One way to spend part of the day is eating in the Melba Room at The Langham Hotel, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southgate.

The Langham Hotel overlooking the Yarra River catching the last rays of the day’s sun.

This hotel used to be called the Sheraton Towers. It retains the sophistication, service, stunning entrance foyer and has an easy welcoming ambiance.

The Melba Room hosts a buffet luncheon every day. It is at the top of the Grand curving staircase that has a centre fountain which takes your breath. The feast is an extravaganza and it is well worth missing breakfast for.

I was there to celebrate a birthday. We had booked a table by a window that looks onto the Yarra River.

At one stage clouds came over and the skies darkened, “How cosy! How wonderful,“ We exclaimed. We gazed onto the river with the rain spotting it and watched people along the Promenade scuttling for cover. We relaxed in our comfortable chairs and wondered what to eat next.

I am the first to admit that there is something rather uncouth about a buffet. My group behaved as if we hadn’t eaten for a week. Other groups did likewise. There was a group celebrating the end of a year twelve commitment. They were very dressed up and sophisticated but they couldn’t resist the temptation to pile their plates and then go back for more and more.

This can be a leisurely feast. Start with soup, three choices, then move to the seafood and fill your plate with oysters, prawns, crab and a choice of mayonnaise. That just gets you started. A couple of year twelves had several seafood courses before they progressed. They mentioned this to me as I was wondering about more prawns.

That is the beauty of it. You can make your whole meal of prawns and oysters. But why would you when there is every variety and mixture of food possible including Japanese? A Japanese chef is there to help you make choices.

The desserts are interesting and the chef knows you are going to want to try everything. Mini, individual servings are produced of dozens of items. Rather like mini works of art.

There was coffee and cheese and biscuits to finish.

The quality of the food? It did vary a little but I loved the Japanese, the seafood and the curries and also the breads.
We plan to return for another celebration.

A very different light fitting hangs over the Japanese food.

Times:
The Melba Room starts serving luncheon at noon, the hot food is removed at 2.30 and the restaurant closes at 4.00 to prepare for dinner.
Costs:
Monday to Friday is $47.00 with a reduction for senior card holder of $4.00 and on Monday $8.00
Prices in the weekend are higher with no concessions:-
Saturday $69.00
Sunday $75.00
I understand that the prices will go up nearer Christmas when they provide a special Christmas menu.
It is suggested you book especially on Saturday and Sunday when it can be very busy.

Getting there:
The Melba Room, The Langham Hotel, 1 Southgate Avenue, Southgate 8696 8888.

You can enter from The Southbank Promenade along the river or it is just off St Kilda Road, in Southgate Avenue
Trams:
Any tram that goes to Federation Square or Flinders Street Station will get you there.
If you take your car there is valet parking.

Beautiful glass at the Kirra Galleries Federation Square CBD

Melbourne — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:10:51 +0000

Every month or so I drop into the Kirra Galleries in the Atrium of Federation Square to catch their latest exhibition.

This gallery is full of wonderful and magical glass. It specializes in Australian Glass and we’re not talking wine bottles and chunky water glasses, we’re talking delicate and whimsical designs made from hot glass by glass artists. When you look at these works of art it is hard to believe that these artists use the same material that makes that empty vodka or wine bottle you chuck into the bin.

The exhibition at the Kira Gallery at the moment is the work of Nick Mount one of Australia’s leading glass artists. It runs until the 16th of August when it will be replaced with another exhibition of amazing glass sculptures. The Kirra Galleries are all about glass.

These photos were taken from the Atrium looking into the gallery. They give an idea but you need to see each piece individually. There is a ‘no photographs’ sign at the entrance to the gallery and felt I should respect that.

Since I found this gallery I have come to love their exhibitions. The glass can be so mesmerizing. Its beauty and fragility feeds my senses. I need to keep getting the fix.

Nick Mount’s work is an example of what I’m talking about. It is breathtaking with clear vivid colours. But there’s no magic in the titles. They’re named rather prosaically. The big red one in the front window is called ‘Scent Bottle Combination Piece’ and it has a number because there are many pieces with the same name.

This one, my favourite, is called ‘Bob in the Landscape’. Such a dull name for something so beautiful. I have gone back to look at this piece a couple of times and I would love to know who buys it and where it is going to hang. I thought of a large vestibule but it would need to be high up or you would have people wanting to touch it and fiddle with it……I thought of my place, there is no harm dreaming but there isn’t a spot that comes to mind that would show it off. Where do you hang these beauties other than a gallery?

The gallery has a shop next door selling smaller glass items. Creations that you would find a place for in the home. I have bought several presents here. You don’t have to spend a lot to get something unique. For example there are some charming glass earrings.

Getting there:

The Atrium in Federation Square opens off Flinders Street. This is the easiest way to access it but you can enter from the main square.

Kirra Galleries opens from 10am to 6pm every day. Check out their web site here

Explore the Books @ the Fed Square Book Market CBD

Melbourne — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 01:10:05 +0000

A regular Saturday Book Market is held in the Atrium of Federation Square from 11am to 5pm. There are over 5,000 books displayed at a variety of stalls that command the entire floor area of the atrium.

It is a great place for a market – warm on a cold winter’s day and cool in the height of summer and it has got atmosphere. The books create a welcoming and relaxing vibe – ideal for browsing. You can browse. No one pressures you to buy.

There are books on Oriental art, poetry classical literature, music. One stall specialized in Russian literature while another has Australian books. There are stalls for children’s books. I saw an elderly lady buying a very vintage copy of ‘Anne of Green Gables’ by L.M. Montgomery. I got an instant head picture of her going home reading it and reliving a period of her childhood. The book was first published in 1908.

It is a good place for a trip down memory lane. It’s the place I find books that I had always intended to read and then forgot about and books I’ve read and loved and want to dip into again. I found ‘Justine’ by Laurence Durrell. A book that gripped and fascinated me as a teenager.

Then there are those books that grab your attention. How can you resist a book titled ‘Espresso with the Headhunters’ by John Wasser. This unlikely title is about a trip through the jungles of Borneo. With an espresso machine? The blurb doesn’t say

If you want your own espresso or latte without the Headhunters the market is surrounded by cafes.

It is a friendly market, the books easily accessible for browsing and the stall holders knowledgeable. Most of the novels are priced about $8 to $10 and all books are in good condition.

The market will be held on every on every third Sunday of the month for a trial period. This is happening at the moment and will go on for an indefinite time. The same time as Saturday – the Atrium Federation Square, 11am to 5pm.