Between a rock and a hard place

Walking into the city from Richmond the other day (about a 45 minute walk through my favourite Fitzroy Gardens) I came upon a 'cluster' of rocks - so close to the city.

They are located in front of 55 St Andrews Place (part of the precinct for politicians and associated bean counters). I was fascinated by them. 

 A lyrebird

Every rock contained a bronze skeleton of an Australian animal - some were large and some small. All were beautiful - and recognisable.

A platypus

Sadly there seemed to be no explanation of who created them, when they were created or in fact why they are there. Perhaps it is up to us to imagine the how and the why.

An echidna (I guess!)

The bronzes are beautifully placed in the rocks and wonderfully tactile.

Soar like an eagle

I would love to know their history. It seems such a pity that there is no explanation. If you can shed any light on their story I would love to know. At the moment all I know is that they are wonderful. 

Bowen Cottage client comment this week: Miss Daisy (the dog!) is so at home here.

A surprising find

Walking near the Yarra River the other day I came across a plaque I had never seen before (writing blogs has made me open my eyes to my surroundings!!) I was surprised to discover that one of our local members of Federal Parliament for the seat of Yarra was James Scullin (18 September 1876 – 28 January 1953). 

Scullin had the misfortune to be elected Australia's ninth Prime Minister just 2 days before the Great Depression in September 1939.

James Scullin

I was interested to read that he first stood against Alfred Deakin - one of the leaders of the movement for Federation (6 States and 2 Territories) which took place on 1 January 1901. Deakin (3 August 1856 – 7 October 1919) went on to become Australia's second Prime Minister. 

Alfred Deakin

Richmond has until fairly recently been considered a 'working class' suburb but things are changing rapidly as the yuppies move into gentrify the suburb. Certainly Scullins' home has been gentrified to a point that I am sure he wouldn't recognise it!

6 Park Avenue, Richmond - with a new coat of paint and a new owner

Bowen Cottage client comment: The perfect home away from home in a great location - we wanted for nothing extra during our stay

Parlez vous francais?

With Bastille Day fast approaching (well this Saturday 14 July) it's a great opportunity to introduce all things French in downtown Richmond.

For baguettes, petite lemon and strawberry tarts, chocolate eclairs, millefeuille (hard to say, hard to eat - but worth every calorie!) my favourite French Patisserie is Almost French at 138 Swan Street - telephone 9429 2080.

Calories aplenty

Run by a charming (and attractive) Vietnamese couple it is always a joy to see - and smell - the bakery in action whilst enjoying a coffee seated on its rustic french cafe chairs.

A shrine to delicious Almost French food

With macarons the new petite morsel featuring at every cafe and on every cooking show the newest member of our community is La Belle Miette at 432 Church Street - telephone 9024 4529. Divine macaron combinations including pistachio, raspberry, chocolate, nougat and caramel there is a taste sensation for everyone. My favourite is Mariage Freres tea.

Presentation Presentation Presentation

Walking into macaron paradise takes me straight back to Paris!

And finally my favourite French restaurant in Richmond is Noir at 175 Swan Street - telephone 94283585

Delicious

I could continue but for now enjoy le quatorze juillet with a glass of Beaujolais nouveau, perhaps a Boeuf Bourguignon and mop it up with a crusty baguette, some smelly French cheese from the Cheese Room at Richmond Hill Cafe and Larder (see post of 16 May 2012) and a lemon tart and finally with un petit macaron. What more could one wish for!

Bowen Cottage client comment this week: Gorgeous

The Old Treasury Building

One of the most beautiful and I would say 'handsome' buildings in Melbourne is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The Old Treasury Museum is currently hosting a FREE exhibition entitled Gold and Governors.  

The Old Treasury Building - seen from the top of Collins Street

I was fascinated to learn that the architect J J Clark was just 19 years old when he designed this icon of Melbourne. I think of many 19 year old's today - still studying, partying, looking cool and going .... in many cases they don't know where! Well J J Clark certainly knew where he was going in the 1850's! He joined the Colonial Architects office when he was just 14!

John James Clark arrived in Melbourne at the height of Victoria's most extraordinary expansion when many of our most beautiful and historic buildings were built in a 30 year period on the back of the gold rush.  As its name implies the Treasury was built to store the massive amounts of gold arriving from the goldfields. Gold was stuffed to the rafters in the vaults.

The Old Royal Mint (Wikipedia)

The Renaissance Revival Treasury building launched him in his career and from there he designed some of Australia and New Zealand's finest buildings - including Melbourne's Royal Mint - 280 - 318 William Street and the Melbourne City Baths (what an old fashioned name) at 420 Swanston Street. The Treasury Building in both Brisbane and Auckland are also part of his 'portfolio'. He also designed Melbourne's Government House located right next to our Royal Botanic Gardens. It is interesting to note that both  current and retired Victorian Governors have an office in the building.

Government House abutting the Royal Botanic Gardens (Achim Klaustermeyer)

 

The recently published Architect of the Australian Renaissance by Dr Andrew Dodd celebrates the work of J J Clark and is available to purchase at The Old Treasury Building.

Located in Spring Street right opposite the top of Collins Street I recommend a visit. This building and its contents are one of the hidden gems in this city - and one that many Melburnians have failed to celebrate or dare I say to visit.

Bowen Cottage - client comment this week: It's good to be back!

The Pelaco Sign

It is reputed that Richmond boasts the greatest number of sky signs in Victoria. Certainly one of the most iconic signs, and the one closest to Bowen Cottage, is the Pelaco Shirt Factory sign sitting atop Richmond Hill.  I can see it from the end of my street but the difficulty I had was trying to photograph it without the hideous overhead power lines which are draped all over this beautiful city (what happened to underground lines - if Paris can do it why can't we?) 

Pelaco - 'draped' in power lines

 Last week I mentioned the book Melbourne by Sophie Cunningham which is now in the Cottage 'Library'. One of her most fascinating pieces of Richmond trivia was the fact that 'in the early 20th century the Pelaco factory closed at midday on a Saturday in time for the women to get to the game'. I wonder where the men were? No doubt already in the bar at the ground preparing for an afternoon of hurling abuse at the umpires! Football games were either played on the world famous M.C.G or in those days at the old Richmond Oval on Punt Road - still used to this day as a training ground for the Richmond Football Club. 

She continues with a wonderful vignette '..a canopy had to be constructed over the Richmond players' entry onto the field because women, (I am sure not just the Pelaco women) angry at some of the performances, were poking them with knitting needles. There is a long tradition of Richmond fans actively haranguing their team'.  Nothing has changed although the team is certainly on the improve this year!  

Richmond has 'gentrified' over the years and the site currently hosts a variety of rather more genteel businesses - although Madman Entertainment might just hark back to the knitting needle Pelaco women of the past. I fear it won't be long before the developers - who have mooted a number of plans - finally 'ruin' yet another historical site so close to the city.

 

Book Talk

Not only do I love the name - Book Talk - but it actually spells out exactly what it is! A book store selling both new and pre-loved books with a cafe where one can TALK - but more importantly HEAR! Oh the joys of a carpeted floor! 

A cafe surrounded by books or a bookstore with a cafe!

Located at 91 Swan Street, Richmond (9428 1977) it has a lovely homely atmosphere. Friendly knowledgeable staff and good wholesome food! What more could a 'girl' want! I love that they have a selection of Richmond focused books - all of which are in the cottage 'library'. I have just added to the library with the new book Melbourne, by Sophie Cunningham. 

I love the cover - courtesy MWF

Drop in for a coffee, a read, a browse, a buy, a chat - this is the true 'neighbourhood' bookstore. 

Bowen Cottage - client comment this week: We have had a wonderful time. You have set this little cottage up perfectly and we congratulate you on making our stay with Ollie and Ruby memorable.

Vale Vlado

I was sorry to read that Vlado Gregurek - a Richmond 'institution' had died recently in another Richmond 'institution' - Epworth Hospital (just a few doors from his restaurant). Vlado's Restaurant at 61 Bridge Road ( 9428 5833) was renowned for its MEAT, MEAT, MEAT! His restaurant never really changed since it opened in 1964! How often these days do you know of a restaurant staying open for more than - well let's say 10 years - but 48 years! It's the longest running restaurant under single ownership in Melbourne.  Amazing. 

Vlado in 1964 - courtesy The Age

I recall being taken there by my parents way back in the early 70's. My father was a man who enjoyed his food (and has passed this onto me I'm afraid) but even he was defeated by the amount of food (MEAT) which was presented that night. I can remember we just accepted the 'fixed menu' which began with sausages, followed by a tasting plate (more meat) and then a choice of steaks (I think he ordered large - his eyes were bigger than his stomach!) which always came with only a coleslaw salad (I think it was just called cabbage salad) and that was followed by strawberry pancakes (hardly crepes - nothing so light!). I can see my fathers face now! My mother and I had given up long before. Suffice to say we didn't return.

The 60's grey brick facade on a beautiful old Victorian building!

But many a man (and perhaps the odd woman) returned frequently to this 'institution'. Locals and interstate and overseas visitors ensured that the restaurant remained a force to be reckoned with. Vlado was always on show in the front 'butcher counter' stroking his beloved meat before cooking it on his special mallee root (now there is another wood dying out) charcoal grill. The quality of the meat was second to none. After all that is what the customers had come for. Vlado received an OAM and was inducted as a Melbourne Food and Wine Festival Legend in 1994. Imagine being a legend in your own lifetime. What an achievement - as was eating an entire meal at the restaurant! 

I was pleased to read that Vlado's will continue as it has for so many years. Ivan Glavas the former head waiter will now operate the grill after just a short 28-year apprenticeship!