Hidden piece of history

If you look closely enough you’ll find a hidden piece of Melbourne’s history at Docklands’ Spencer Outlet Centre.

If you venture to the northern end of the shopping centre, enter one of the stores running along the back wall, walk to the back of the store and look up you’ll find a large scale mural by Harold Freedman.

At more than 36 metres long, the History of Transport mural spans three different stores and depicts the first 100 years of transport in Victoria from 1835 to 1935.

Mr Freedman and his assistants painted the work over five years and the Premier of Victoria unveiled the artwork at what was formerly Spencer Street Station in 1978.

The mural is considered historically important, as it was the first in a series of artworks commissioned by the State Government after Harold Freedman was appointed state artist in 1972.

The History of Transport mural was removed from the station in 2004 during redevelopment work for the new Southern Cross Station and eventually wound up at the outlet centre.

While it is relatively hidden, there is still an opportunity to see this historical piece of art in Docklands.