The White Hat Melbourne Newsletter

Archived Newsletter No.149 - 4 November 2005

Contents

Music
The Yartz
Fairs, fetes and shows
From the White Hat Inbox
Green building open day
Some Melbourne/Victorian History
Awards
Backdrops
Reader feedback
Children's & family activities
Melbourne's Hidden Gems
Country Victoria
Advance notice
The White Hat Quiz

Music

This weekend there is a Music & Sound Expo in the city. (Aspiring instant idols can skip this one because it may involve learning to play an instrument.) There is an afternoon at the Proms at Monash Uni and a multi-faith Concert at the Town Hall. Then, Jenny (one of our subscribers and a member of the Diamond Valley & Eltham Orchestra) informs us:

“On Sunday November 6th we are travelling overseas to Phillip Island to entertain the penguins at 2.30 pm and anyone else who cares to join us at the Cowes Cultural Centre with a rousing light classical concert including Schubert's 9th symphony, the William Tell Overture and a selection of tunes from South Pacific and the Sound of Music. Day trippers from Melbourne might enjoy fitting this concert in with a beach walk and fish and chips at the Penguin Parade.”

You can find information on these events (and see members of the orchestra wearing their white hats) by going to our home page and selecting this weekend under the drop-down menu of events.

The Yartz

This Saturday numbers of arts venues are open until late. As far as we know, normal entry charges apply but most are free or very cheap anyway. They include the major galleries in St Kilda Road and Fed Square, the Museum, the Immigration Museum, ACMI, the Arts Centre and the State Library.

When in the 1880s the Melbourne Gallery (then part of the State Library building) first opened on a Sunday it drew a flood of letters to The Age – both for and against the idea. One letter said:

“Sir, I highly approve of the determination of the trustees of our picture gallery to open it to the public on Sunday, and would suggest that the indecent picture of a naked woman called by a classical name, which hangs in the north-east corner of the gallery, should at once be removed. . .
Signed John Russell, Emerald Hill”

Can any of our readers tell us the name of that painting and the location of Emerald Hill?

For the details of this weekend’s Open House go to our home page and select this weekend under the drop-down menu of events.

The following two Monday evenings there is an opportunity to be part of the audience for the new ABC arts program called Vulture.

We must admit we find it unwatchable (and I imagine they would find this newsletter unreadable) and judging from our reader feedback so do many of you. (Interpret that sentence as you see fit.) For instance FM wrote:

“The only compelling thing about watching the infamous "Vulture" on the ABC is, that old chestnut - it's like watching a car crash...or like watching animals in the zoo...or, as I like to say, it's like watching cars crashing INTO animals at the zoo...I'm just not sure what planet they're from... I have to say - if you look at it a certain way, it's so bloody funny... but it ain't doing the arts no favours...”

and even the feedback on the ABC website doesn't is pretty uncomplimentary.

Well, if that has whet your appetite to be part of the studio audience, send us an email at: vulture@whitehat.com.au and we will send you the details.

Fairs, fetes & shows

Fairs and fetes this weekend include a pottery expo at Fed Square, a fete at North Fitzroy Primary School (next to the Edinburgh Gardens) and a market at Oakleigh Primary School. Details at Fairs & Fetes in Melbourne. For a traditional country show, probably the closest one to Melbourne you will get is at Whittlesea. Details at Agricultural and Animal Shows.

From the White Hat inbox

Because our website lists many significant Australian people, venues and events we receive many unexpected emails in any one week. Here is a brief sample:

“Would you be able to help locate Clive James publicisit/agent? We are running a major event in Kogarah his home town and we would like him to join us if he is in the Country.
Regards Jacinta”

“Hello, I'm Deise from brazil, i play saxophone and i'd like to konw if have some possibility i praticipate the Melbourne Women's Jazz Festival, if yes, how doing it. Thank you to all you.
Deise.”

“I recently purchased an old reed organ and the inscription on it I think says Wertheim. It has 7 stops (I think that's what they're called) located just over the keys. It has two foot pedals. I believe it was made in 1895. Do you have any info or know anyone who can assist me with any info please. I'm trying to restore it. The Labels on the stops are missing also.
Regards...Phil”

“Dear Sir/ Madam,
I am French, twenty three of age. I spent two months in Queensland, a few weeks ago, and my life was definitely changed. Before coming I wouldn’t have imagined I could have met such warm and friendly people. From then on, my decision was made : I wanted to stay for a longer time in this amazing country. Melbourne appeared to be the main subject in tourists’ conversations. It would have been a pity not to take time in one of the most liveable city, notably with its theatre festival. That is the word : theatre. My motivation to give my best in life. I have studied theatre in an acting school in Paris and I am working as an actress. That is the reason why I am applying for a work in [your theatres]. I would be extremely grateful for any kind of job there may be available. I hope you will give me a favourable response. My CV and my photos are attached. With many thanks.
Yours sincerely, Helene.”

Green Building Open Day

The ‘environmentally friendly’ NAB headquarters at Docklands is open and functioning, Melbourne City Council’s ‘Green Building’ is nearing completion while a major corporate ‘green building’ is soon to start construction in King Street. Many of our local official measures of energy efficiency are quirky to say the least. You score big points for insulation even if you never use a heater or a cooler but just dress for the temperature, but score no points for having outside clothes drying or composting facilities – it is assumed you will use a clothes dryer and throw your compostable waste out with the garbage. People like David Bellamy have argued that it takes more energy to create and build a wind turbine than the energy it will generate in its usable life. If this correct and if we are importing wind turbines from Europe where nuclear energy is the main energy used for their production, are we are really just importing nuclear energy in order to appear 'green'? Are our energy and sustainability measures useful or just simplistic dogma that needs replacing with something more scientific and systematic? Can intelligent home automation save much more energy than passive design? This weekend you have a chance to ask such questions and find out what has been done at the ‘green building’ in Carlton which is the home of the Australian Conservation Foundation. For details go to our home page and select this weekend under the drop-down menu of events.

Some Melbourne/Victorian History

“Dear Mr White Hat,
Just uncovered the story behind those concrete horse and dog troughs infrequently seen about melb and country towns, thought other subscribers might be interested in learning about this couple who cared. Apologies if this is already mentioned on your site.
Cheers, Her Indoors."

Thank you Her Indoors. The story is already included on our website but is always worth retelling for the sake of our subscribers.

This section of the newsletter has been omitted becaues the information can be found on our pages of Significant Melbourne People under George & Anna Bills.

Awards

Suggestions for the White Hat Awards have been flowing in. For instance, here is a suggestion for categories:

“Best free past time that enables you to kill at least half and hour in the city of Melbourne
Maha”

And here are a selection of nominations:

“Found an amazing Thai restaurant - the Chang Thai, at 1166 Glenhuntly Rd, Glenhuntly. An unlikely looking, very small venue, but the food is magnificent. Very fresh, lots of colourful vegies and delicious spicy flavours without burning the mouth. The coconut rice and roti were exceptional. Three of us ate sumptuously for $62. BYO wine.
Marie”

“Observatory Cottages at the top of Mt Dandenong. Absolutely divine - even the toilet paper smells beautiful. We have stayed in Ironbark and The Barn and have booked Owls Croft for the week after Christmas. Breakfast ingredients are provided - and lots of them. It is the most romantic setting, you don't want to leave the cottages.
Regards Justene & Flavio”

“Nikos Greek Tavern on Mt Dandenong Road, Croydon Eating in is great (mmmmm their goats cheese is delish) But there is take away also, grab some dip (eggplant is the best) and flatbreads (already warmed for you), and a tub of your selection of meats. Dash home to a candlelit table with a pre prepared salad and opened bottle of merlot! I think this may come under a few categories: Best Takeaway (about $15 for 2 people) Best Romantic Outing (we do go "out" to get the takeaway!)
Kerrie”

So keep the suggestions for categories and nominations coming and within a few weeks we will start to formalize the process.

Backdrops

Last week’s backdrops were fairly easy to spot or guess. James was the first to recognise St Kilda Beach and Kellie was the first to recognise the 90 Mile Beach at the pointy end of Victoria. This week we have a dawn sky over the city and a trestle bridge somewhere in country Victoria – can anyone tell us where? To make it slightly easier, we have also included a photograph of an outdoor church service just along the river from the trestle bridge.

Reader feedback

“Can you please advise if the Melbourne Waterfront Seafood Festival is going to be held in November this year. We attended last year and enjoyed it so much we'd like to come again but as yet no date has been posted on your website.
Kaye”

We have had no communication from the organisers and their web site no longer exists, so we assume at this stage it will not be going ahead or has been subsumed into the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival which is centred on the Docklands next year. See Food & Wine in Victoria. If and when we receive any information we will put it on our website and announce it in the newsletter.

In response to our “by invitation only” Melbourne Gems, Justene wrote:

"The Australian Club if you can get an invite, a beautiful building."

Children's & family activities

This Saturday is story time for kids at the City Library (not to be confused with the State Library) or you can also take the family mut to ‘Paws for a Cause’ where there are lots of doggy activities and where you can teach it to understand commands like “sit”, “eat”, and “tidy your room”.

If you are at a loose end with the kids tonight there is free camping at selected camping grounds around Australia. Throw the tent in the boot; head off up the country and around the campfire remember to tell them about the bunyips in the area. Next day teach the kids some survival skills in the bush by abandoning them in a National Park (outside mobile phone range) and letting them find their way to the nearest country town. If they do that, see if they are able to communicate with the locals who don’t understand American teen-talk.

If you live in the country, then there are also participating camping grounds in the city, such as at Braybrook. Throw the kids and the tent in the car, camp out under the smog then next day teach them some city survival skills. Abandon them in the middle of Spotlight at Braybrook – on sale day this is one of the scariest places in Victoria - and see if they can find their way out. If they do that see if they can communicate with the locals in the carpark. Off to Footscray for a fabulous cheap Vietnamese meal and a wander through little Saigon – the family has had an overseas trip for next to nothing. Them back to the car to drive home to the country. Just as well you chose Braybrook – had you left the car in a rough suburb it would be up on blocks by now.

Details of these activities at Family Activities in Melbourne.

Melbourne's Hidden Gems

We continue our section on some of Melbourne's hidden gems which are 'by invitation only'.

Decorative Towers of Melbourne

A number of city buildings contain towers which are not open to the general public. Apart from offering unique views from their windows and openings, their interiors are often magical time capsules of the period when they were first built. Here are some of our favourites.

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.

Country Victoria

This weekend is the Castlemaine Festival of Gardens, the Earthbeat Festival in Mildura (renamed from the Sunraysia Music Festival) and the Halls Gap Film Festival. For details, go to our home page and select this weekend under the drop-down menu of events in Victoria.

Advance notice

Next weekend the first performance of Messiah for the season appears. If you wait until Boxing Day I’m sure will find Messiah performances at heavily reduced prices. Traviata opens at the Comedy, there is the Melbourne Marathon, there are orchids at Stawell, wine trains at Mornington, gardens at Churchill Island and Budburst Festival in the Macedon Ranges. To find them, go to our home p . . – well if you don’t know how to do it by know it’s possibly easier to go and watch one of those travel advertorial programs on television where they just give you the phone numbers of those who paid the most for their slot – and they didn’t even have to wear a white hat.

The White Hat Quiz

How well do you know Melbourne?

First to last week's quiz.

Melbourne and horses.

1. A prominent statue in Melbourne depicts a man in riding boots with a saddle underneath the chair on which he is seated. Who is that man?
2. In the inner suburbs is the remains of a veterinary hospital with the symbol of a horse’s head on the façade. Where is this?
3. Various statues in The Domain and connected gardens show people on horseback. How can you tell the status of a person from a 19th century equestrian statue?
4. There is a memorial to war horses in Melbourne. Where and what is it?
5. A bar in Melbourne has a large wooden honour board showing every winner of the Melbourne Cup since Archer? Which bar?
6. What was remarkable about Archer’s journey to the Melbourne Cup?
7. When watching the television, how can you tell if the race you are watching is in Melbourne or Sydney?

Again, plenty of correct answers from our readers. Here are some of them.

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.

That still leaves the question about equestrian statues unanswered. Who is allowed to be shown seated on a horse, can the hoof be raised, etc? I know we have some art students out there so we will give you one more week on that one.

Now to this week’s quiz

Melbourne and the mail

1. Around Melbourne there are familiar red boxes where you post your mail. Occasionally you will see green ones with no slot. What are they for?
2. In Victoria, distances from Melbourne are measured from which building?
3. In the earlier part of the 20th century, a letter posted in the city in the morning to a city address would be delivered that afternoon. The building height limit was 132 feet (and you know why this height from a previous newsletter). In some buildings you could go to the glass mail chute on, say, the eighth floor, post your letter which would fall down the glass chute to the outgoing mail box on the ground floor. Name a city building (or two) where this system is clearly visible.
4. The carriage of mail to and from Sydney, like much of Melbourne’s 19th century infrastructure and services, was supplied by the private sector. Our first mailman (a stockman) carried the mail between Melbourne and Howlong. Why Howlong?
5. The grid of Melbourne as laid out by Mr Hoddle is one mile in the east-west direction (from Spring to Spencer Streets) and half a mile in the north-south direction (from Flinders to Latrobe Streets). There are 5 major streets which run east-west and 9 major streets which run north-south. Thus the centre of the Melbourne grid is the intersection of Elizabeth and Bourke Streets (named by the governor after himself and his wife). Using the most efficient route to cover all the main streets in the Melbourne grid and starting and finishing at the post office, how far will a postman (or woman) travel on the daily round?

That’s all for this week because I have to audition a French actress at 2 o’clock and a Brazilian saxophone player at 4 o’clock.