Commemorative Cross

Commemorative Cross of the Ash Wednesday Bushfires 1983

This plaque commemorates the reopening of the Mount Macedon Uniting Church on 8th April 1984. Following its restoration after almost total destruction caused by the Ash Wednesday fires of 16th February 1983.

The cross is constructed with the old truss brackets from the original roof.

Mt. Macedon

Two of a Kind

Imagine seeing not one, but two - these lovely old chevies were parked outside the Bakery at Yarra Glen one Sunday afternoon. Wouldn't it just give you a thrill to go riding around in one?

Aged Antiques

Edward Clark Antiques

This lovely old weather-board on Mt. Macedon Road houses some wonderful antiques. Even the Ampol petrol pump is antiquated, plus it is still in working order.

Whitecaps

Port Phillip Bay
I am going on holidays today and shall try and post while on my travels. Ciào.

Alpine Wildflowers

Alpine Mint Bush (Prostanthera cuneata)

One of our beautiful native wildflowers that can be found at Lake Mountain in the Victorian high country. One of 1050 native flowering plants and fern species in the alpine regions it flowers from November through to April, and fruits from December to March and emits a lovely fragrance.

Once a wonderland of beauty, the Lake Mountain trails are currently closed due to the devastating Black Saturday bushfires on February 7th This year.

Mount Macedon

Mount Macedon in Winter

The Macedon Ranges are famous for their views, native forests, wildlife, historic monuments and, perhaps foremost, their substantial homes and garden flower displays in Spring. At the western end of the range, the 2427 hectare Macedon Regional Park dominates the skyline.

The towns of Macedon and Mount Macedon are well known for their exotic trees, gracious homes and gardens.

The small township of Mount Macedon has a General Store, Pub, Church, Art Gallery, Antique Shop and a plant nursery. The day this photo was taken the wind chill factor would have been on a par with Antarctica - it was freezing.

The Rugged Rock

Round and round the rugged rock
The ragged rascals ran,
But here in this wee photo,
They sat and got a tan!

Taken at Wilson's Promonontry near Squeaky Beach.

Chinese Joss House

The Chinese Joss House of Bendigo is still used as a house of prayer today and is the only one of its kind still surviving in regional Victoria. The Chinese people have a proud history since gold was first discovered in 1851.

Built of timber and local hand made bricks, it is painted red - the traditional Chinese colour denoting strength and vitality. The main temple is dedicated to Guan-Di, the god of war and prosperity. The Chinese saw Guan-Di as a wise judge, guide, protector and provider of wealth and prosperity; factors needed for Chinese worshipers in this strange land.

It is now a National Trust property and is open to the public Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday 11.00am to 4.00pm. Bendigo is 149 km norht of Melbourne. The Joss House is a short drive north west of Lake Weeroona.

The Redcoats Are Coming!

Each afternoon at Sovereign Hill, the Redcoats march down the main street, fire a salute to the Queen (Victoria) then the "charges" are read out. The culprit is brought forward to answer these charges (he never wins), is found guilty and is "tarred and feathered" as punishment.

It is great entertainment and to the crowds of jeering people gathered to watch a scene of amusement.

I shall be doing a post about Sovereign Hill later.

NOTE - Many of my photos I took with an Instamatic ($24.95 from the local chemist) and have used my digital camera to take photos of the photos - hence the blurriness.

Sailing, Sailing Over The Ocean Blue...

The ferry, the MM JJ Farnsworth took passengers across Point Nepean from Sorrento to Queenscliff and back. As you entered the heads and went through "The Rip" it could be quite rough - fortunately I have a stomach like lead.

The little boat no longer makes the journey, now only the larger car and passenger ferry makes the trip.

Sovereign Hill - Cobb & Co

The Old Courthouse Healesville

The Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre is housed in Healesville`s "Old Courthouse". Opened in 1890, the Courthouse is one of only five similar timber courthouses built in the 1880's. Now recognised by the National Trust, it is home to the Yarra Valley Tourist Information Centre and is in Harker Street, Healesville.

"The Rip"

Treacherous waters

At Point Nepean lies "The Rip", the treacherous divide between Point Nepean and Point Lonsdale that has claimed many ships since European settlement due to large tidal flows through the relatively narrow channel from the bay to the ocean, and a high rocky seabed,
It connects Port Phillip and Bass Strait and is the only entrance for shipping into Port Phillip and hence into Melbourne.

A ferry takes you from Sorrento across to Queenscliff and as you enter through the heads - the stretch of sea between Point Nepean, Shortlands Bluff and Point Lonsdale you can feel the ferocity of the wsters.

Rock Formation - Wilson's Prom NP

Wilsons Promintory, colloquially dubbed "The Prom", is the southernmost point of the Australian mainland. Mountains, granite headlands, forests and fern gullies frame the 130 km coastline. Inside the park, Tidal River is the focus for tourism and reacreation and is a most popular camping area especially the summer months. Wilsons Promontory National Park contains the largest coastal wilderness area in Victoria.

Three Faces of Nature

Ninety kms north east of Melbounrne is Lake Mountain, a cross-country ski resort and one of the most popular in Australia. It is visited all year round - there are several mountain trails and when the snow has gone and wildflowers are in bloom it is a very pleasant place for a day outing.

Mt. Macedon Memorial Cross

Death cannot rob them of their glory, nor time efface the memory of their gallant deeds.

The Memorial Cross sits at the top of Mt. Macedon with magnificent views across the surrounding areas and commemorates those who gave their lives in the First World Waar. It is 21 metres in height and 1001 metres above sea level and is lit at night. The original Cross was unveiled in 1935, but was replaced in 1995 due to storm and fire damage.

Metal and Stone

These gates caught my eye. The fascination of the placement of the metal pieces and the amount of work that went into them. An artwork in itself. And combined with the bluestone of the pillars it brings into focus the elements of nature and how we can use them for not only necessary items, but also for fashioning them as an artistic work.

Memorial Cross Path

A Portal To The Past

Australia's Paddlesteamer CapitalLocated just over 2.5 hours north of Melbourne, the Port of Echuca is located on the banks of the Murray River, in the historic Port Precinct.

Echuca was once Victoria's most substantial inland river port with paddlesteamers transporting goods far and wide as they chugged along the mighty Murray on which this town is built.

Just over the Victorian/NSW border lies Moama, and many people stay at "Echuca-Moama" to this day, with free shuttle buses ferrying holiday makers and locals alike across the border to a night out at one of the numerous "Clubs" for a spot of gaming.

P.S. Adelaide 1866
Built at Echuca, the PS Adelaide is the oldest wooden hulled paddlesteamer still operating in the World!

Used as a logging boat for 90 odd years, she left the town briefly during the 1950's but later was brought back to Echuca as a community effort in 1960. 1964 saw her lifted from the water and put to rest in Echuca's Hopwood Gardens, where she lay for 20 years. However, in 1980 restoration commenced and she was refloated in 1984 and ahs the capacity to carry 12 passengers.

Maniacal Mechanicals

Austral Kerosene Engine 1928

These two exhibits were at the Gold King Festival. The Austral Kerosene Engine was manufactured May 1928 by Ronaldson Bros. & Tippett of Ballarat. Serial No. 7150
Previous Owners -
George Ovens of Geelong
Graeme Spitte of Ascot
Current Owner Rod Covey of Clunes.