The White Hat Melbourne Newsletter

Archived Newsletter No.52 - 20 June 2003

Contents

Parliament House Open Day
Sleepy Hollow
Homer’s Iliad
Melbourne 5,000 Years Ago
Melbourne’s Hidden Gems
Fed Square
Bicycle Paths
Chunky Move
Francis Ormond
Theatre Forum
Advance notice

Parliament House Open Day

This weekend  Parliament House is open to the public. Even though there are free tours of Parliament House during most weeks, this open day provides access to numbers of areas not normally seen by the public. For instance, the basement was originally stables in which was generated a large amount of horse manure. It has now been converted to members’ offices in which are generated large amounts of meaningful communications. The gardens will be open. See if you can spot the Federal Oak planted by Sir Henry Parkes in 1890, and the 150th Birthday Gum Tree planted by John Cain in 1986. The library is superb, and contains one of Melbourne’s historical gems – a copy of Johhny Fawkner’s first Melbourne newspaper – each copy was hand-written!

The chambers are recognised as some of the best-preserved Victorian era interiors in the world. You probably wont get a chance to see this much of the building for a long time, unless you’re planning on getting yourself elected. Details at Parliament House.

Sleepy Hollow

In a recent newsletter I made passing reference to Geelong as ‘Sleepy Hollow’. One of our readers was moved to write the following.

“Dear Mr White Hat,

Once I too was an ignorant inhabitant of the large smelly, crime-infested smog-ridden city whose distant buildings can - for those who are interested - be faintly seen from the top of the Newtown hill, poking through the grime across the bay. In 1991 I moved to that place which I had previously regarded as the last annoying obstacle on the way to the coast and became a resident of Geelong. Sadly I will never be a local (you have to either be born here, die here or do something famous) but I learned that those in Melbourne must never, under any circumstances become aware of our way of life down here lest they all move and spoil it. As I rise from bed and look across the bay toward the You Yangs, I note from my alarm clock that it is 8.00 am. After a leisurely breakfast I walk the 12 minutes to work, pausing only to chat to the large number of familiar inhabitants I pass on the way. At the Geelong Hospital where I work, surrounded by pleasant decor rather than the sickly green hospital linoleum 1960's look favoured by most Melbourne hospitals I receive the gratitude of the locals I treat who take great pride in the quality of the service offered. Often these people are neighbours and are only too willing to offer assistance in areas such as child-minding or house renovation (tiling, plumbing, rewiring all by tradesmen I met at the hospital) Of an evening I can take my pick of the 30 odd pubs in the central Geelong area (try the Gold Diggers or Sawyers Arms in Newtown) or experience the amateur theatre or music scene. On fine evenings, a stroll from Eastern beach around the bay (perhaps stopping for a drink at one of the brilliant waterfront restaurants) and then from the bay a short 10 minute walk up to home. Commuting to Melbourne takes less time than it did when I lived in Blackburn, and 20 minutes from home is Torquay and the Great Ocean Road. Sleepy Hollow? The only ones who aren't awake to it are the poor sods living in Melbourne.
Daniel”

I stand suitably admonished. For activities in the Geelong area, see Bellarine Peninsula.

Homer's Iliad

Traditional Australian pubs have some unexpected entertainments if you keep a lookout. One hotel features readings of local poetry of sometimes world-class awfulness. Another hosts the monthly meeting of the Sceptics Society (you don’t believe me, do you?). The Stork Hotel in Elizabeth Street opposite the Vic Market is holding a reading of the Iliad in two sessions. So why not join Achilles, Helen, Paris, and sundry Greeks, Trojans and travellers on the wine-dark sea over a glass of wine next to the open fire. Details at Theatre in Melbourne.

Melbourne 5,000 Years Ago

A walk through the Melbourne region as it was 5,000 years ago

Please note: This section of the newsletter has been removed as it forms part of a forthcoming publication or because it is forms part of our Questing activities. If you find yourself on a tour where the guide is White Hat Accredited they are likely to know the answer to many questions you may have in this area. All guides on White Hat Tours are White Hat Accredited.

Geelong's Hidden Gems

I suppose I had better do some penance for referring to Geelong as Sleepy Hollow so here are some of White Hat's favourite hidden gems of Geelong.

Please note: This section of the newsletter has been removed as it forms part of a forthcoming publication or because it is forms part of our Questing activities. If you find yourself on a tour where the guide is White Hat Accredited they are likely to know the answer to many questions you may have in this area. All guides on White Hat Tours are White Hat Accredited.

Fed Square

Congratulations to Fed Square for scooping the pool at the recent architecture awards. Next week I will tell you how to visit Central Australia without ever leaving Fed Square. Kimberley Dreamtime, Aboriginal Gallery, significant exhibitions of Albert Namatjira, Sidney Nolan, Fred Williams. Better take your sunscreen.

Build them and they will come

All around the inner suburbs we have newly painted bike lanes on the roads, in many cases reducing two lanes of cars to one. The principle seems to be “build them and they will come”. The trouble is they don’t seem to be coming - yet. From our office window you can stare at these bike lanes for hours and never see a bike. However, they certainly inconvenience the cars and maybe that’s the most important thing for some people. Melbourne has a fantastic complex of bike paths. Details can be found on our pages at Cycling in Melbourne.

Meanwhile this newsletter is late again because I’ve been staring at the bike lanes for hours. Still, it’s more intellectually stimulating than watching Big Brother.

Chunky Moves

The Chunky Moves Dance Company has a short season of performances called Three’s A Crowd at their new studios next to the Malthouse. Prices are very reasonable at $15. Details at Dance in Melbourne.

Francis Ormond

One of our readers last week pointed out an article in a local paper on local statues with uncomplimentary things to say about Francis Ormond. Having found the article. I notice that it also states that Nurse Edith Cavell (whose statue is near the shrine) was “executed by a Japanese firing squad”. The Japanese must have been using long range rifles because she was executed in Germany. Anyway, I said I’d tell you a little about Francis Ormond.

This information can now be found under Francis Ormond.

Theatre Forum with free drinks & nibbles

"Developing Australian theatre culture in a world dominated by American culture". I haven't been able to confirm the details of this, but I think it is at 4 pm at the Malthouse on Saturday 21st. You can go to this before heading off to attend Homer Simpson's Iliad. If I can confirm details, I will post them at Forums in Melbourne.

Advance notice

School holidays are approaching. If you live in the St Kilda area, you may wish to book the kids in for the school holiday activities run by the council. Warrnambool also has a kids festival. Details at Family Activities in Melbourne.
The weekend of 28-29 June sees the Big Red Book Fair. Great bargains to be had if you get there early. Details at Fairs & Fetes in Melbourne.