"Hamer Hall" Wednesday 15th November 2006

On the left, Luna Park, on the right, Palais Theatre. This theatre has just been brought into the news again as the area it stands on is being labelled as the St Kilda triangle (as opposed to square), and is possibly to be redeveloped, although plans are still being discussed/argued. The trinagle lies opposite Luna Park and the beach and is prime land for the area. One view of the development can be found at the local council website here, ( No. 4 on the page).

Part of The Victorian Arts Centre, this is Hamer Hall, (formerley the Melbourne Concert Hall). Located alongside the Yarra river, just on the city outskirts leading up St Kilda Road. It is the home for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, but is also used for music of all types including classical concerts, modern pop concerts, singers, bands, in fact anything. It is a very lush, grand venue for music, with fantastic acoustics. Information about the rest of the Arts centre can be found at my 'Other' posting from 1st September , and the spire which sits above at my 'Places' posting of 16th August 2006.

More from the Cranbourne Botanical Gardens today. This gives you a look from half way around the 'Australia Garden' looking back to the administration block. My previous 'landscapes' posting from the 16th October was taken from the very right of this shot on the balcony of the building we can se here. This is an older shot, taken on the opening day of this new garden back in May. More information about the gardens here.

This is the entrance to the lovely Regent Theatre in Collins Street Melbourne. This is one of several lovely old theatres in melbourne with grand foyers, light fittings, mirrors, doors and great deatiled wall fittings. It was refurbished in 1996 and is now the home to many great theatrical events over the year. Recently it was home for "The Lion King". More information about the theatre can be found here.

Found just up the road from yesterdays post, here is the Melbourne Town Hall. Not your avergae town hall, it does not just hold council chambers and offices, but also has a lovely auditorium where during much of the year many performances are held. It was built between 1850 and 1854, and what you see here is only a small section, it continues on both sides. There is much more of it's history located here if you're interested. Originally taken for the doorways theme on the first day of September this year.

On Saturday this week, Australia comes alive with the Grand Final of the 2006 Premiership season of Aussie Rules Football (AFL - Australian Football League). The season started in March with sixteen teams, and ends on Saturday with the last two teams fighting it out for the cup. This year the Sydney Swans and the West Coast Eagles from Western Australia go into battle. These were the same two teams who survived to the final game last year where Sydney came out victors. Full details on the AFL can be found at the own comprehensive site here. The match, as always, is held here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. You can feel the roar of the crowd already!

"Shrine of Rememberance" Wednesday 20th September 06

On Monday (landscapes) I showed the view from this Shrine down St Kilda Road and into the city. This Shrine is "in rememberance of those who served and those who died in the Great War of 1914-1918 and armed conflicts and peacekeeping duties since". It is located just 5minutes out of the city and is surrounded by some of the most lovely parklands including the Royal Botanic Gardens of Melbourne. More information about the Shrine can be found here.

Something a bit different today... just an old shack. Well in fact it's on the property of Heide Park / Gallery where much of the Heidleberg school of art originates, so it could be historically valuable. Who knows, maybe it's been painted by artists long gone. I just liked the whole feel of the rotting wood and rusty wrought iron roofing against the large Gum trees in the background. I will post some photos of the lovely sculpture from the park in the not too distant future. More information about the centre can be found here.

THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SOLD

A relatively new area for Melbourne is Quay West. It is in the docklands precinct and lies at the West end of the city. It has many lovely restaurants and is great place for a late night stroll. I took this photo just last night, shortly after sunset. Yesterdays' sculpture photo, "Silence" is also located at Quay West.

"City Museum" Wednesday 23rd August 06

 "Spire" Wednesday 16th August 06

"Flinders Street" Wednesday 9th August 06