Good News Bill - September 2011

30 Aug 2011

Spring is in the air. The last few days of August were just gorgeous.

So who went to the Chocolate Rush Chocolate Festival? There was plenty of chocolate on hand, and some street acts to amuse all ages. You know, Shed 4 is a great location. It is a very suitable space to run these kinds of events right on the water’s edge. There should be more of it in Docklands!

Spring is announcing its arrival. The days will start to get longer and the warmer weather will be with us once again. It is time to explore the neighbourhood. Shake off winter’s slumber and trudge out into the spring sunshine.

Here is something you should do at least once this month: Take a walk along Harbour Esplanade over Bourke St towards Collins St. There is a beautiful green parkland setting and a small coniferous woodland. Explore this as you meander towards the ANZ building and on to the YMCA gym with its exceptional exercise rooms with views over the Yarra.

Can you see Webb Bridge just over to your left? The bridge is an award-winning design by Denton Corker Marshall, cleverly re-using sections of the old Webb Dock Rail Bridge. Well, it is there just for you. Why not take a walk across and discover what is waiting for you on the other side?

If you have not been to Yarra’s Edge then you are in for a surprise. There is a village atmosphere, with a tranquil harbour setting and boats floating idly at their moorings. Enjoy its north-facing aspect with the spring sunshine gently warming your soul.

There are cafes, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes. For your added convenience and enjoyment there is a small IGA Express and a day spa. This is an ideal spot to spend a lazy afternoon just relaxing and enjoying the tranquillity, fine dining and great coffee.

And when you are done, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Yarra’s edge under Charles Grimes Bridge towards the exhibition centre. Watch out for the new South Wharf Sheds. They are about to open, and offer even more dining and entertainment options, creating an area that will be a “must visit” on any fine day. Have a quick look at the Polly Woodside and step back into time at the old dry docks that have been preserved for the future.

Now walk across Seafarers Bridge past the World Trade Centre complex to your right and have a look at the Mission to Seafarers to your left. Ever been inside the mission? It is open to the public and it is a place of sanctuary for seafarers in a strange land.

It offers them a welcome, assistance and a place they can call home. Make sure you have a look at the historical non-denominational chapel built in 1917. It is a place for quiet reflection. The chapel has some exquisite examples of stained glass memorial windows dedicated to those that lost their lives at sea or worked for seafarers’ welfare. There are examples of exemplary craftsmanship with intricate detail in the wood carvings that are symbolic of hope. The mission is open daily from 10am to 11pm.

From the mission you now cross over Flinders St towards the modern-looking Automotive Centre of Excellence. Ever wondered what goes on in there? Well, ACE is positioning itself to become the largest and most advanced automotive training facility in the southern hemisphere. This is right here in Docklands. They are involved in new research and application of improved fuels, engines and automotive design technology. This is the home of the two-seater FR-1 concept car, brainchild of the not-for-profit AutoHorizon Foundation. Expect some innovative ideas to come out of here in the not-too-distant future.

Behind there you may have noticed an older building that is home to the Fox Classic Car Collection. It is home to more than 50 prestige vehicles collected over 20 years by Lindsay Fox. The collection includes Bentley, Ferrari , Jaguar, Porsche and Mercedes Benz marques. The building has an interesting history, being a former customs building and tenanted by the government printer in the early 1900s. For opening times visit the FoxCollection.org.au website.

And that just about brings us back to where you started. Now wasn’t that a pleasant experience?

I hope you all have an enjoyable September. It is the AFL finals madness season with AFL headquarters and Etihad stadium on our doorstep. For the fans, Docklands will be their destination of choice this month. If only they knew about  the other Docklands’ hidden secrets.

Speak to you next month.

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