Courtesy Mimmo Cozzolino - 1980

SKIPPING GIRL RESTORATION APPEAL

Please Help Audrey Skip Again!

One of the most-loved popular cultural icons in Melbourne, the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign was officially declared a Victorian Heritage Icon by the National Trust in 2007, and is included on the Victorian Heritage Register, the list of the State’s most significant places and objects.

But she has not been operational for over 10 years.

Nicknamed ‘Little Audrey’ in the 1930s her animated neon allowed her to skip gleefully across the night skyline for decades. She has brought delight to generations of Melbournians and is represented in countless works of art from photography, to paintings and song.

But now, half the neon lighting is broken or doesn’t work, and much of the metal framework and panels are rusting - Audrey is in need of extensive

refurbishment to restore her to her former glory.

The minimum required to get her skipping again is $60,000. We are very grateful that half of this amount has been secured in government grants. The Heritage Council of Victoria is to contribute $16,000, matching the Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund’s $16,000.

That leaves a shortfall of at least $30,000, but we also want to more create an endowment fund to ensure she keeps skipping into the future.

As a registered charity, any donations to the restoration fund through the Trust over $2 are tax deductible, so if you donate, you will receive a receipt that can be used for tax purposes. We are a non-government community funded organisation, dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage, but we cannot do this on our own.

To make sure Audrey skips again, we need the support of the public to make this restoration a reality, and to make sure she keeps skipping into the future.

The Chairman of the National Trust, Dr Graeme Blackman has said “Heritage is not just about grand 19th-century houses. It's also about protecting the icons of our popular culture. That is why the National Trust is hosting this public appeal to help save a uniquely Melbourne landmark”.

If you wish to donate by cheque, please print out this form and post to the Trust at 4 Parliament Place, East Melbourne 3002 Skipping Girl Appeal Donation form (PDF) 49.67 kB

A short history of the skipping girl sign can be found below

History of the Skipping Girl Sign (PDF) 13.67 kB

Click belowfor the media release

Skipping Girl Appeal Media Release 629.00 kB

Have you ever thought about becoming a member of the Trust ? We are a community body - we get very little government funding, and rely on memberships, donations and entries to properties to keep going. If you would like to see all the benefits of joining up, Click here