On Sunday 15 October I went to the 47th annual memorial of the West Gate Bridge collapse. What makes that memorial so moving? It was a reunion, though a sombre one, of the extended network of people impacted by that fateful day on 15 October 1970 - survivors, families of the victims, and …
Gasworks and the Angel
The Angel artwork was made for this wall. Or so I thought until attending an exhibition of Sione Francis’ latest work at Gasworks. As Gasworks made its transition from dereliction to Arts Park in the '90s, a sculpture exhibition was held in the Park. Francis entered his work, Angel. The …
It’s Historical
The last Toyota made in Australia rolled down the line at 12pm on Tuesday 3 October 2017. This real and symbolic moment in our local and national history was overshadowed by mass murder in Las Vegas. Toyota had given notice of its intention to cease manufacturing in Australia in 2014. Even …
Equinox
About overshadowing mixed with a little local history Saturday 23 September, that hot and gusty day, was the equinox when day and night lengths are even. The equinox and the solstice are the reference points for assessing overshadowing in planning applications. The more stringent winter …
Talking about the Yarra again
This is (a slightly edited version of) my contribution to the Imagine the Yarra Conversations Public Event held at the Arts Centre on 19 September. It was prepared to be spoken rather than as a written piece. Good evening My subject is the River entrance. I pay my respects to the people and …
Talking about the Yarra
In March 1928, Port Melbourne's Norman Barry competed in the annual three mile Yarra River Swim. He received this Percy Lindsay designed certificate. Sixty five women were among the more than 400 entrants. Barry trained with other Port 'boys' between the piers. The tradition of the Yarra River …