The Twelve Apostles

A major feature of Victoria’s most spectacular south western coastline is The Twelve Apostles. The limestone pillars sit on basalt bases and have been left behind as wave action has undermined the soft limestone cliffs over thousands of years. The highest pillar is 45 m tall and together they form a dramatic feature and landmark along the Great Ocean Road. Originally they were known as the Sow and Piglets, but the name was changed in the 1950s to the more majestic "The Twelve Apostles", even though there were only nine left. In 2005, another collapsed leaving eight.

Skipping Girl Vinegar sign

Believed to be Australia’s first animated neon sign, the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign was erected in 1936 at the Nycander Vinegar factory. The building was demolished in 1968 and the sign removed. Due to public outcry, a replica sign was erected in 1970 near the original site in Victoria Street, Abbotsford. Lovingly referred to as “Little Audrey” by many Victorians, there are a number of theories as to who the sign was modelled on, with the favourite being Kitty Minogue, the eight-year-old sister of the sign’s designer, Jim Minogue. The sign is currently not operating, but funds are being sought for its restoration.

Melbourne’s trams

Melbourne was one of the few cities to retain its extensive tram network in the mid 20th century, when most other modern western cities replaced them with buses. Melbourne also retained its fleet of nearly 600 cream and green W Class trams, which featured in almost every postcard view of the city throughout the mid to late 20th century. A wide variety of new trams, including the latest low-floored variety, have gradually replaced the W’s built in the 1920s and 1930s, but some dating from the 1940s and 1950s still operate on the popular City Circle route and in Chapel Street. Last overhauled approximately 10 years ago, these sturdy old vehicles need some loving care if they are to last into the future.

Aussie Rules Football

This uniquely Australian game originated in Melbourne and was originally known as ‘Melbourne rules’ or ‘Victorian Rules’ football. The game was developed in 1858 to keep cricketers fit during the winter. The first rules were drawn up in 1859 by the first club and the ‘Melbourne Football Club Rules’ became the basis for the modern game. The sport quickly spread across Victoria, and then into other states in the 1860s. The Victorian Football Association was formed in 1877, and by the 1890s clubs based in particular suburbs had developed loyal local followings, and an almost tribal tradition was born. Through the 20th century a large proportion of the population spent every Saturday in winter following the games, hoping that their club would win the Grand Final. In the 1980s clubs from other states were admitted and in 1989 the Australian Football League was born. The game has gone from strength to strength and is now by far the most popular sport in the country.

Shrine of Remembrance

One of Melbourne’s truly landmark buildings, this Neo-classical structure is placed on the grand axis of Swanston Street, terminating the vista to the south. The competition winning designed by Hudson & Wardrop includes references to classical sources such as the Parthenon in Athens and the stepped top of the Mausoleum of Halicarnassos - one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It was built to commemorate the thousands of diggers who gave their lives in the Great War (WWI), and was originally known as the National Memorial. The competition was held in 1923, but construction did not commence until 1927, and it was formally opened in 1934. The design includes a formal avenue approach, a plaza for ceremonies, monuments to later wars, and the eternal flame. It is the site for remembrance for all those Victorians who have fought and died for our country, a purpose expressed by the restrained design and the quiet dignity of the interior chambers. The scale of the building, the fact that it was publicly funded, and the crowd of 300,000 who attended the opening, reflect the devastating impact of WWI.

Children’s Choice - Luna Park

Mr Moon has been smiling on the St Kilda foreshore since 1912, and was built along with the Scenic Railway, the oldest continuously operating roller coaster in the world. The park was built by enterprising showmen from the United States who brought over designers and craftsmen straight from Coney Island, the famed pleasure resort just outside New York. The fabulous carousel was also built in the US in 1913, but was not installed here until 1923. The Dodgems building from 1928 and the Ghost Train from 1934 are also rare surviving early amusements. Melbourne’s Luna Park is one of the few American style amusement parks remaining. It managed to survive when many others were destroyed by fire or demolished for redevelopment, and has been a place of childish delight and adult thrills and spills for at least three generations of Victorians. In 2001 the Carousel was beautifully restored at a cost of over $2 million, and the Scenic Railway is currently undergoing major reconstruction necessitated by foundation movement caused by the drought.