Driving around Brisbane - Melbourne
February 17th 2008 05:55
So at last we are seeing the signs for Melbourne and our journey will come to a bit of a halt as we take in the sights and sounds of this wonderful city. Melbourne has the most decorative cast iron in the world - by 1900 there were 40 foundaries making 161 different designs. It had become a very popular city, in fact by 1852 it was the most popular destination in the world for those leaving the UK, and why? GOLD! But I am getting ahead of myself a bit, let`s start at the beginning....
Ten million years ago there was a massive amount of volcanic activity around the Melbourne area which created large lava flows. To this day the bluestone from this still forms the foundation of many of the citys streets and houses. The first evidence of human occupation in the area, was around 30 000 - 50 000 years ago and by 1800 approximately 15 000 indigenous people inhabited the land. Sadly, white settlement shortly after, destroyed about 40 000 years of history and most of these tribes along with it.
A first attempt at settlement was in 1803 by Captain Collins at Portsea, who was looking for a new area for convict habitation. He carried with him a young man named William Buckley who managed to escape - the only white man to remain and one who would live with the indigenous people (who believed him to be a reincarnation of one of their tribal chiefs) for many, many years to come. As a result of this he earned the name 'The Wild White Man' and is whom the saying - 'You have two chances - Buckleys or none' hails from.
In 1835 the explorer John Batman was sailing around those parts when he came across Port Phillip Bay, the original name of Melbourne. His father had been sent over to Australia as a convict and Batman was born in Sydney, becoming the only Australian by birth to found a state capital. In his younger years he sailed to Tasmania where he became a wealthy land owner and began to apply for land in the Victoria region of Australia. All attempts at this were rejected and finally he sailed to Australia and struck up a deal with the local indigenous people to rent the land that he wanted in return for food, spears etc. He is the noted as the ONLY settler of the 19th Century to recognise that the land belonged to the Indigenous people and to make this arrangement with them, as opposed to other settlers who noted the land as uninhabited and simply drove the indigenous people out. (In these early days, settlers wanted to name Melbourne Batmania!). This agreement was overthrown by the Government who did not acknowledge the local land ownership, claiming it belonged to the Crown and therefore declared the agreement null and void.
In August 1935 John Fawkner, a man with much more government support and a rival of Batman's, officially founded the city of Melbourne and the first settlement was acknowledged. In two years there were 350 people and 55 000 sheep in the area, and growing, officially being named Melbourne on 4th March 1937 after the contemporary British Prime Minister. Governor of NSW, Richard Bourke, sent troops in to end corroborees (ceremony of song and dance performed by Indigenous people, which tells the tales of their ancestors) and all interaction between Indigenous people and settlers. Clans were removed from the area in 1840 and, in 1842, Bob and Jack, two Indigenous men, were accused of murdering two whalers and hung in what was the first public execution. They were never given the chance to present their side of the case.
Then came the discovery of Gold! By 1861 the population had jumped to 125 000 and with all the money the city developed at a rapid rate. Lavish buildings were erected, gas lighting glowed in the streets and, with the Temperance Movement, coffee palaces became hugely popular. By the 1880's the population was a staggering half a million, 12 storey buildings, rivalling those in New York, were being built and the streets lapsed into chaos. It became more profitable to be looking for gold and, with poor wages, in January 1852 almost half of the Police forced resigned in a single day! The first phone was connected in 1879 and only a single page listed the names of those who used the service. 7 years later twelve women were manning the 8000 calls made everyday and with this diminished the services of letter carriers and Errand Boys.
By 1891 the city was dirty and disease ravaged, with no sewerage system until now. The streets turned to dust storms during the dry season and raging rivers during the wet, witnesses speak of watching animals and people drowning in the middle of the town. Finally, the boom began to run dry and the wealth trickled out. Banks were closed and many faced the prospect of unemployment. Slowly the chaos began to decline as people had to face reality. The first trams began running in 1885 and by 1916 were carrying 100 million people a year. 1907 marked 1000 lifts in operation and Melbourne was now the 4th city in the world to have a pumping station for these machines. By 1922, 44 750 cars were registered and on the road, forcing the council to introduce safety rules for occupants and pedestrians.
The town developed quickly and with much wealth, having a very colourful past, which is still evident today. The Flinders Street Station, built in 1910, still remains one of the citys most well known landmarks, laying claim to the saying 'I'll meet you under the clocks', referring to the line of clocks which are above the entrance.
Today Melbourne is well known for its cafe culture, wonderful theatres and unpredictable weather. We are now aware of its history - next we shall discover its current attractions.
Bibliography:
History of William Buckley - Really Long Link
History of John Batman - Really Long Link
Corroborees - Really Long Link
Picture credit - Really Long Link
Really Long Link
Gold
Ten million years ago there was a massive amount of volcanic activity around the Melbourne area which created large lava flows. To this day the bluestone from this still forms the foundation of many of the citys streets and houses. The first evidence of human occupation in the area, was around 30 000 - 50 000 years ago and by 1800 approximately 15 000 indigenous people inhabited the land. Sadly, white settlement shortly after, destroyed about 40 000 years of history and most of these tribes along with it.
William Buckley
In 1835 the explorer John Batman was sailing around those parts when he came across Port Phillip Bay, the original name of Melbourne. His father had been sent over to Australia as a convict and Batman was born in Sydney, becoming the only Australian by birth to found a state capital. In his younger years he sailed to Tasmania where he became a wealthy land owner and began to apply for land in the Victoria region of Australia. All attempts at this were rejected and finally he sailed to Australia and struck up a deal with the local indigenous people to rent the land that he wanted in return for food, spears etc. He is the noted as the ONLY settler of the 19th Century to recognise that the land belonged to the Indigenous people and to make this arrangement with them, as opposed to other settlers who noted the land as uninhabited and simply drove the indigenous people out. (In these early days, settlers wanted to name Melbourne Batmania!). This agreement was overthrown by the Government who did not acknowledge the local land ownership, claiming it belonged to the Crown and therefore declared the agreement null and void.
In August 1935 John Fawkner, a man with much more government support and a rival of Batman's, officially founded the city of Melbourne and the first settlement was acknowledged. In two years there were 350 people and 55 000 sheep in the area, and growing, officially being named Melbourne on 4th March 1937 after the contemporary British Prime Minister. Governor of NSW, Richard Bourke, sent troops in to end corroborees (ceremony of song and dance performed by Indigenous people, which tells the tales of their ancestors) and all interaction between Indigenous people and settlers. Clans were removed from the area in 1840 and, in 1842, Bob and Jack, two Indigenous men, were accused of murdering two whalers and hung in what was the first public execution. They were never given the chance to present their side of the case.
Then came the discovery of Gold! By 1861 the population had jumped to 125 000 and with all the money the city developed at a rapid rate. Lavish buildings were erected, gas lighting glowed in the streets and, with the Temperance Movement, coffee palaces became hugely popular. By the 1880's the population was a staggering half a million, 12 storey buildings, rivalling those in New York, were being built and the streets lapsed into chaos. It became more profitable to be looking for gold and, with poor wages, in January 1852 almost half of the Police forced resigned in a single day! The first phone was connected in 1879 and only a single page listed the names of those who used the service. 7 years later twelve women were manning the 8000 calls made everyday and with this diminished the services of letter carriers and Errand Boys.
Telephone Exchange
By 1891 the city was dirty and disease ravaged, with no sewerage system until now. The streets turned to dust storms during the dry season and raging rivers during the wet, witnesses speak of watching animals and people drowning in the middle of the town. Finally, the boom began to run dry and the wealth trickled out. Banks were closed and many faced the prospect of unemployment. Slowly the chaos began to decline as people had to face reality. The first trams began running in 1885 and by 1916 were carrying 100 million people a year. 1907 marked 1000 lifts in operation and Melbourne was now the 4th city in the world to have a pumping station for these machines. By 1922, 44 750 cars were registered and on the road, forcing the council to introduce safety rules for occupants and pedestrians.
The town developed quickly and with much wealth, having a very colourful past, which is still evident today. The Flinders Street Station, built in 1910, still remains one of the citys most well known landmarks, laying claim to the saying 'I'll meet you under the clocks', referring to the line of clocks which are above the entrance.
Today Melbourne is well known for its cafe culture, wonderful theatres and unpredictable weather. We are now aware of its history - next we shall discover its current attractions.
Bibliography:
History of William Buckley - Really Long Link
History of John Batman - Really Long Link
Corroborees - Really Long Link
Picture credit - Really Long Link
Really Long Link
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Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
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John Pascoe Fawkner's house is still standing in the area where I grew up. Oak Park. So called because he planted Oak tree for his horses. Last I heard it had sold for $3 million. Over the years it has been own by an assortment of people. Robert Hutcheson who owned flour mills to the Mooneys.
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
That`s true.... very true! Wouldn`t be the same without the thrill of an adventure close at hand
Ash
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Ahhh I couldn`t stop reading once I got started. What a fascinating background Melbourne has. I could have gone on for ages... and the people invilved have such colourful pasts too. Now I just look forward to visiting the place one day.
Ash
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
Whew! that would have been some trip. A friend did it last year and he was pretty shattered by the time he arrived up in Qld. Too right, Melbourne has a great past... very enjoyable read it was.
Ash
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
And thanks for adding that info. I often see the names of towns and wonder if there is a reason behind the decision for it.
wow $3 million! I bet he would be slightly gobsmacked at that price.
Ash