Antipodean reflections

It has been ten years since I set up this WordPress blog.

With the exception of the photo of QEII at the end, the below pictures are from an area at the rear of buildings facing Grey Street, South Brisbane. Overhead railway lines travel between South Brisbane and Roma Street stations. The previously unused space has been transformed into Fish Lane, Town Square.

Brisbane, Brissy, Brisvegas has the reputation of being a big country town.

You need a body in Sydney and labels (darling) in Melbourne.

People who have moved to the city, between states and countries or have travelled extensively overseas are open to new friends.

During Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1977, Queen Elizabeth II visited Birmingham UK. I took my younger brother to see her. This is an image from local newspaper, the Birmingham Mail, Birminghammail.co.uk. Taken near the Council House and Chamberlain Memorial, on the day we saw her majesty.

Being from England, a proportion of Australians assume I am from and have lived in London. It is as though London is England.

Talk of Australia becoming a republic are renewed among lobbyists and pollies.

Healthy building

This week, I visited 720 Bourke Street, Docklands, Melbourne; headquarters of Medibank Health Insurance. Outside, the building looks like others on the street: dark glass, towering, nothing special.

Inside is a different story. On the ground floor, an area, containing forest floor coloured furniture and a muted green rug provides sanctuary for those waiting for transportation. Arriving about fifteen minutes ahead of schedule, I took the blue ramp up three floors to reception, on the Park level, rather than using a lift.

Wandering up the winding walkway, I wondered how the offices would be arranged. The view up through the middle of the atrium hinted at other colours.

Level six provides a view of a structure of waves and curves. Each floor has a theme colour. Members of staff work in neighbourhoods; housing their locker. They work from home or hot desk.

Each floor provides a kitchen and eating area, a quiet library room, informal meeting areas and rooms, and various styles and configurations of workspaces. There is even an ideation box/cloud on level seven.

The building has been designed to facilitate exercise and maximise healthy choices. A herb garden, outside spaces with seating and barbecues, complete the picture.

Winter sails

Albert Park Lake, Melbourne. This scene was more comfortable from inside the restaurant. I was lucky that a few weak rays of Winter sunshine illuminated the sails at just the right moment. 

I used Snapseed for iPad app to accentuate the dark water and bring out the malevolent blue sky. 

Urban eclipse

Contrasts:

  • dark and light,
  • unkempt and pristine, 
  • old and new, 
  • cluttered and neat. 

Corner of Higson Lane and Little Flinders Lane eclipsing the Chanel store, Melbourne, Australia. 

Conference with a view

So many conference venues I have visited either don’t have windows or they are heavily shaded. What a treat this week while attending a University Community Safety and Wellbeing conference; windows and views. 

The Elizabeth Street clock tower completed in 1907 is a Melbourne landmark. Glimpsing it signals proximity to Flinders Street railway station. 

This picture was taken from a room on the twelfth floor of Victoria University, 300 Flinders Street. 

High tea

  

Located on the 19th floor, the Club Lounge awaited, offering a modest afternoon tea with assorted scones, jams and cream. The evening drinks served from 6 pm, was accompanied by delicious hot and cold canapés, cheeses, fruit and artisan breads. 

Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

http://melbourne.park.hyatt.com

Garish combination



Hard surfaced distinction

Clean lined definition

Metal undulation

Golden decoration

Soft form reflection

Bright colour selection

Garish combination

Ballister detail, Park Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne, Australia