An introduction to Melbourne

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http://www.heygo.com 4th March - Introduction to Melbourne



This was an introduction to Melbourne, very difficult in just 45 minutes but our young guide, an actor who was enjoying doing these virtual tours during the Covid pandemic.

Australia had fared really well over the last year and seeing people going about their everyday business was encouraging to see how some countries had coped better with Covid than others.



We started the tour just inside Victoria Gardens, oh how I would have loved to go inside but for today it was just a quick glimpse of the Floral Clock.

This floral clock with a diameter of over 9 mtrs was presented to the city by the Swiss consul Curt Malning as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the watchmakers of Switzerland. The clock's hands are driven by a synchronous motor housed in a concrete casing in the centre of the dial, and it was unveiled by the lord mayor, Councillor I.F. Beaurepaire, on 4 November 1966



As we left the park area we saw a strange but colourful piece of art.

Alexander our guide explained that the city has been taken over by 100 UooUoo (pronounced you-you) sculptures, each one uniquely designed by Australia’s most talented artists, to form walking trails of imagination and adventure for all to enjoy.



Me and UooUoo brings communities back together to rediscover the adventure of the city, while raising funds for The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne.

Once the period to show these artworks is over each sculpture is auctioned to raise funds for the future of paediatric healthcare.



We had great views along the Yarra river.

The Yarra has played a pivotal role in the pre-European history and the modern development of Melbourne. To the original Wurundjeri people, the river was “birrarung" – 'river of mists and shadows'. They camped on both banks of the river, especially near present day Government House and the Melbourne Cricket Ground. They caught eels in the swamps and lagoons of the river and fished using funnel-shaped fish pots. The first European eyes to appreciate the pristine beauty of the meandering waterway was Charles Grimes, During his exploration in 1803 he named it 'Freshwater River'. The name 'Yarra' is attributed to surveyor John Wedge who asked local aborigines what they called the cascading waters on the lower section of the river. They replied 'Yarro Yarro', meaning 'it flows'. Wedge's mishearing of the word determined its enduring name.



Melbourne’s Federation Square is a major feature of the Melbourne skyline and a civic hub. It was built to serve the city as a central focal point and to provide a screen, both protecting and concealing the active railway lines that run through its heart.



The facade is an angular and triangular design that can be described as unique & utilises large panels and claddings of sandstone, zinc and glass. Since opening in 2002 more than eight million people have visited the site each year, making it one of the top two tourist attractions in Melbourne.



I enjoyed my first glimpse of Melbourne & look forward to more from this part of Australia.

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