Category: The Melbourne Files

In 1980, a public artwork in Melbourne’s new city square provoked outrage. This is the great Vault sculpture controversy.

The Flinders Street Station Ballroom was built to provide leisure activities to railway workers. It is now used as an exhibition space.

Holt’s Matrimonial Agency provided a matchmaker service to turn-of-the-century Melbourne. It was also the place, for a quickie wedding.

The Yarra Waterfall used to stretch across the river where Queen Street is today. It was demolished in 1883.

The Melbourne Landmark Competition was launched in 1978 to find a southern equivalent to the Sydney Opera House. It was (mostly) not successful.

In 1962 the Southern Cross Hotel opened on Exhibition Street, and the international jet set came to Melbourne.

In 1966 the heir to the British throne came to Australia for two terms of high school. This is Prince Charles at Geelong Grammar.

In 1976, celebrity chef Willi Koeppen disappeared from his restaurant in the Dandenongs. The case has never been solved.

Salvatore, the Yarra Seal, is currently frolicking around the river in Richmond and Abbotsford. He has been visiting, on and off, for 7 years.