Monday 8th September 2014
My time in Melbourne began at 4am Monday morning, though not through choice. I was woken by an alarm sounding in the corridor. Not completely sure it was the fire alarm but not willing to take a chance I grabbed my phone and then realised I didn't know where the stairs were so had to hover until other people emerged to follow. Crowds gathered on the green in the centre of the street and two fire trucks rocked up. Fortunately it ended up being a false alarm, just a faulty fuse!
Although I was planning an early morning to start exploring, the unexpected early alarm meant I ended up having lie in before setting of on a free tram ride around the city. The commentated number 35 city circle loops the CBD leading to a perfect introduction to the city and is run using traditional trams. During the journey I circled various points of interest of my YHA map and was reminded of the Dreamworks exhibition at the ACMI ( Australian Centre if the Moving Image). Once I'd completed the circuit I returned to the ACMI, with Mellman peering in, passing a couple of icons en route, Chinatown and Flinders Street Station.
Arriving at ACMI at around midday, I was aware that visiting the exhibition may eat into my lunchtime so I checked how long I needed to set aside. 'Most people take around 60 - 90 minutes,' a cheery attendant replied so I bought my ticket and headed in.
I loved what I found inside. All sorts of precise models, lively drawings, short animations and fascinating interactive displays filled the museum space and I admired them with lots of 'oh, Dreamworks was involved in that film!' exclamations running through my head. The first section covered characters, the second story and the final section setting.
A couple of inventive displays stick in my mind, one is shown here. Rows and columns of storyboard images were applied to the wall which came to life with a projected image of an animator pitching the 'Gingerbread Man Interrogation' section of Shrek - the part where Farquad and the Gingerbread Man repeat the lyrics of The Muffin Man.
The second was a captivating 180° huge screen bringing How to Train Your Dragon to life from drawings to finished film. At the end of the exhibition there was the opportunity to create your own animation so of course I was in my element! I spent over an hour creating this masterpiece!
Later that day, passing Victoria Market I found this rather funky Melbourne sign which reminded me of the big sign in Amsterdam. Although it's not on the same scale, it's more creative.
I'd said to myself that when I arrived in Melbourne I needed to get a job but I definitely spent the first couple of days in denial! Partly because I was enjoying travelling so much but also because I still had company from the Alice Springs to Melbourne trip. Jen and I had met for dinner the previous night and agreed that although the forecast wasn't great, we'd try and make it out onto the open top bus tour. Although it was windy it turned out just fine and I was impressed with the varying architecture.
During the afternoon we went out seperate ways and Melbourne proved itself as the city that can have four seasons in a day with sun and rain adding to the earlier wind.
The evening brought a trip out to St Kilda, proving that word of mouth is often the best way to discover awesome experiences. Jen had been planning on going to Phillip Island to see the penguin parade but her room mate filled her in that they can be seen for free from St Kilda pier after sunset. St Kilda itself was very pretty, if a little dramatic with the stormy cloud overhead and we had the treat of a spectacular sunset with stunning views back over the city. Once the sun was gone and it began to get dark we waited with just a few other people on a boardwalk next to the rocks at the end of the pier. Anticipation began to set in when suddenly there was a commotion at the other end of the decking and lots of pointing out into the water. This was our first sighting of a tiny, wild penguin. I felt privileged to see these little fellas in their natural habitat and so close. The boardwalk was only around a metre high and they waddled underneath and onto the rocks, again almost within touching distance. The welcome home they got from the chicks was deafening, hence the need to video pitch darkness to convey the sound!
Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th September 2014
After the penguin excitement I decided I MUST apply for some jobs so Wednesday morning I set off with great determination which turned into a grand total of... ONE job application! You may laugh but this one application turned into a telephone interview later that day, a face to face interview on the Thursday, training on the Friday and a start on the Monday! I have never in my life heard of anyone getting a job so easily!
To celebrate the job application and also to toast Jen's last day in Melbourne, we treated ourselves with a trip to Max Brenner (don't worry Chris, I've been eating plenty of fruit and veg too!)
My interview was in the Docklands where I finally figured out what the cow in the tree was all about. Both on the city circle tram and on the sightseeing bus tour, the commentary had mentioned a cow in a tree. Neither times had I managed to see what they were refering to so I was pleased to finally discover it was an unusual sculpture. From waymarking.com:
'The text on the accompanying plaque says:
"This iconic sculpture by John Kelly is made of 5 tonnes of patinated bronze and was originally installed in Docklands in Feb 2001. It was subsequently dismantled and stored so that construction works to lower the wharf could be undertaken. The sculpture was reinstalled in 2003.
The 8m high sculpture creates a curious and surreal experience, but the apparently absurd vision of a cow being stuck up a tree is based on reality. The inspiration for the work comes from the Australian landscape and a strong water-based theme. Australian floods are often violent and it is not unknown for cattle to be swept into trees whilst floods are ascending only to be stranded once they subside. The artist observed photos of this occurring in the Gippsland area of Victoria."'
"This iconic sculpture by John Kelly is made of 5 tonnes of patinated bronze and was originally installed in Docklands in Feb 2001. It was subsequently dismantled and stored so that construction works to lower the wharf could be undertaken. The sculpture was reinstalled in 2003.
The 8m high sculpture creates a curious and surreal experience, but the apparently absurd vision of a cow being stuck up a tree is based on reality. The inspiration for the work comes from the Australian landscape and a strong water-based theme. Australian floods are often violent and it is not unknown for cattle to be swept into trees whilst floods are ascending only to be stranded once they subside. The artist observed photos of this occurring in the Gippsland area of Victoria."'
Friday 12th September 2014
The daytime was spent back in Docklands training for my new job as Face to Face Fundraiser - researching online, putting together and practising our pitches.
Straight after the training had finished, I rode across town on a tram to the world famous MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground). Having gained the advice that while in Melbourne I MUST see an Aussie rules match at the MCG, I'd coincidently arrived at the biggest time of the AFL calendar - finals time, and bagged myself a ticket to the Semi-Final between North Melbourne and Geelong. Before I'd even seen the team names I'd decided to cheer on the team with a kangaroo on the logo (incidentally North Melbourne which is where I was staying) and then found myself on the periphery of the hardcore North Melbourne fans who were clutching pom poms, banners, flags, scarves and all matter of paraphernalia. They were suited in onsies, wigs and sparkly jackets all in team colours. I was lucky it all fitted together very unscientifically as I'd only chosen my seat at it was the cheapest, in row z at this end of the pitch rather than row b at the other (now obviously Geelong) end. Although there was no segregation of fans, there were clusters around the ground.
I'd managed to arrive earlier than planned, I think I was an hour out in my planning but the passionate fans that surrounded me gave me lots to watch in the build up to the match. Before the bounce (kick off in soccer), the teams charged through huge banners - American football style - and the cheesy songs of each team blasted over the speakers. As if the crowd weren't deafening enough already, North Melbourne launched into the lead with each goal celebrated with much pom pom and flag waving alongside loud cheers. It was easy to be swept along in the atmosphere and my favourite chant was 'let's go kangas let's go', reminding me of cheering on my hockey team. By the end of the third quarter Geelong were being trounced and I was planning on leaving 5 minutes before the end to beat the 66,000 strong crowd. But then it all changed. In the final 10 minutes Geelong scored about 6 more goals leaving the score at 98 - 92 and each goal scores 6points. The ending was a nail biter!
Before I continue, here's a few AFL facts:
- there are 9 officials presiding over the match
- their duties include bouncing the ball high in the centre circle to begin play and flinging the ball high over their heads backwards when it goes out of play
- there are 18 players on the pitch for each team and the can be substituted at any time - similar to ice hockey
- 6 points are scored for each goal scored between the two central posts
- 1 point is scored for each 'behind' when the ball goes between the outer posts
- the score shows how many goals and behinds have been scored along with the points total
- there were 65,963 spectators at the match and the MCG has a capacity of 100,024
Saturday 13th September 2014
I didn't get back from the footie till late, however I was up early and excited, ready to visit Ramsey Street and Erinsbourough (AKA Pin Oak Court and Vermont South). During the 25 minute journey the knowledgeable driver filled us in on all sorts of facts including:
- the suburbial name Erinsbourough was created when the writers tried to rearrange the letters of Neighbours but had to add two (you're trying to work that out now aren't you?!)
- they started filming in 1984 and it first aired in 1985
- it was a flop in Aus and its success is thanks to the UK
- the actor who plays Lou is on a contract whereby he works one month on and 3 months off, hence why he keeps disappearing to long lost friends
- the creator worked on Coronation Street and wanted to create an Aussie equivalent
The people who own the houses are paid a fee to cover the up keep of their houses and move their cars during filming. They also have to notify the production company if they are going to substantially change the exterior so it can be written into the script.
First we visited Dial a Kyle, the mechanics, Grease Monkeys, the antiques shop and the bus stop which were all bunched together.
We even found one of Brenan's scripts on the desk of the mechanics!
Next we moved on to Sonia's Nursery (which looked nothing like I recalled!) and the Community Centre.
With a sneaky peek into the back of Lassiters we next found Pirate Radio (remember that?!) and Erinsbourough High.
Finally we had a covert mission putting cameras and phones through and over fences to capture the back gardens of the houses (they're sets, not real!).
The afternoon was a relaxing one after all that excitement!
Sunday 14th September 2014
Today I had a lovely day with Marie and Conal around Port Melbourne and Williamstown. Marie and her husband John were Sambassadors several years ago and have been living in Melbourne for 5 years now. We enjoyed the day at the beach, play parks, picnicing and eating ice cream.
'I don't need sun cream Mummy and you can't get me in the water!'
'Right here Mummy!'
'Hello? There's nobody there!'
I've piled this week all together as I was at work all week, leaving the hostel by 6:50am and not returning until at least 7:15pm. I was working at Werribee Plaza which was a walk, train as bus ride away. The week consisted of lots of hard work, several compliments, a couple of complaints, several pledges of support, almost tears, team drinks (me and the boss for the first 90mins!), and some nerves!
This was the job that I applied for Wednesday, interview Thursday, training Friday, started Monday, quit on Sunday - the quickest job ever and decided it wasn't for me!
Saturday 20th September 2014
After an incredibly lazy morning, I surfaced at around 11:30 and was invited to the aquarium with a couple of my room mates. Even having been to the Barrier Reef I was still amazed by the Finding Nemo exhibit!
Although we initially shrieked with excitement at seeing these penguins, we realised they looked just like the penguins in Happy Feet, really not wanting to be there. :(
That evening we went to see some much happier penguins. I acted as tour guide and took my room mates, Kate, Adeline and Sophie, to St Kilda as they'd not been yet. This time was busier as it was Saturday but most of the crowd were oblivious to the camouflaged penguins on the rocks. Kate and I didn't mind as they gave us a private show!
On our return we couldn't resist the bright lights of Luna Park and another roomie, Rebecca, met us there.
So that's the first Melbourne installment and yes there's meaning in the title which I'll explain in the next installment.
You lose sight of things… and when you travel, everything balances out. - Daranna Gidel
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