Geelong: "The Pivot"

Yardmaster · May 21st, 2007, 09:20 PM

OK ... we've seen Ballarat & Bendigo, Castlemaine and Newcastle, and even the back-lanes of Melbourne. But what about poor old Geelong?

Geelong ... oil refinery ... Ford Factory ... Aluminium refinery ... wheat terminal ... cement manufactory ... I could go on. But there's more to Geelong than that.

I reckon I've been through Geelong about 2,000 times. I've eaten there many times, and slept there now and then, but usually Geelong's been a transit point for me. No time to photograph, but lots of time(s) to notice.

Not quite the Victorian splendour of Bendigo or Ballarat, but here's the cluster of civic buildings surrounding Johnstone Park:

Most of these photos were taken in a couple of hours, a couple of years ago. I'm sure Geelong deserves better. Anyway ...

It's only half a kilometre from the station to the centre of town ... 500 steps.

Part of the Gordon Institute ...

Central Geelong: Ryrie Street. My second-favorite T&G Building, and the Town Hall.

Right: up the alley!

There are some lovely Edwardian buildings in Central Geelong. This isn't the one that I admire so often from a bus window in Yarra Street, but it has the same flavour. Photographing from a bus window has its problems: so too in such a crowded street. Overhead wires seem more prominent here, too.

On the foreshore: The Wool Museum.

The other attractions: these guys have a high international profile, thanks to Lonely Planet:

There's also Eastern Beach, where I bashed my skull as a four-year old by rolling down the hill, and the carousel (what we used to call a Merry-Go-Round!):

Not only is it enclosed under a weather-proof roof, it has additional side attractions (and I'm not referring to the kid who is so worried about the camera)

Side attractions: The Cunningham Pier, with a smorgasboard of eateries ...

and more wooden figures.

But back inside the Carousel Pavilion (Thomas the Tank Engine will convey you for a price) there's another decent piece of nineteenth century craftsmanship restored ... which makes beautiful music.

Then it's back to the station (with it's elegant brick-work).

Most Australians probably don't realize that the first railway to Ballarat went from Geelong, not from Melbourne ... here's the station, still with a character of it's own. The first ever railway in Australia longer than you could walk in a day, went from here to Melbourne .... in 1857.

Yes, it's an old(er) photo ... we don't have trains that colour any more. But what's that building down at South Geelong station with the tower?

The Collector · May 22nd, 2007, 12:57 AM

Well done Yardmaster!!

gappa · May 22nd, 2007, 01:15 AM

Jolly good show old bean!

It's nice to see a positive thread about Geelong.

The Olderfleet · May 22nd, 2007, 11:48 AM

Nice photos of Geelong! I was there recently too... it is a great city to visit!

What is this building, btw? It has an interesting design...

Yardmaster · May 23rd, 2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Olderfleet

Nice photos of Geelong! I was there recently too... it is a great city to visit!

What is this building, btw? It has an interesting design...

Lascelles Institute, part of the Gordon, just south of the railway station.

There's more to it than the entrance: I did a panorama of it, but the images didn't stitch very nicely.

May 21st, 2007, 09:20 PM	#1
Yardmaster Registered Melbourne Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 3,847 Likes (Received): 45	Geelong: "The Pivot" OK ... we've seen Ballarat & Bendigo, Castlemaine and Newcastle, and even the back-lanes of Melbourne. But what about poor old Geelong? Geelong ... oil refinery ... Ford Factory ... Aluminium refinery ... wheat terminal ... cement manufactory ... I could go on. But there's more to Geelong than that. I reckon I've been through Geelong about 2,000 times. I've eaten there many times, and slept there now and then, but usually Geelong's been a transit point for me. No time to photograph, but lots of time(s) to notice. Not quite the Victorian splendour of Bendigo or Ballarat, but here's the cluster of civic buildings surrounding Johnstone Park: Most of these photos were taken in a couple of hours, a couple of years ago. I'm sure Geelong deserves better. Anyway ... It's only half a kilometre from the station to the centre of town ... 500 steps. Part of the Gordon Institute ... Central Geelong: Ryrie Street. My second-favorite T&G Building, and the Town Hall. Right: up the alley! There are some lovely Edwardian buildings in Central Geelong. This isn't the one that I admire so often from a bus window in Yarra Street, but it has the same flavour. Photographing from a bus window has its problems: so too in such a crowded street. Overhead wires seem more prominent here, too. On the foreshore: The Wool Museum. The other attractions: these guys have a high international profile, thanks to Lonely Planet: There's also Eastern Beach, where I bashed my skull as a four-year old by rolling down the hill, and the carousel (what we used to call a Merry-Go-Round!): Not only is it enclosed under a weather-proof roof, it has additional side attractions (and I'm not referring to the kid who is so worried about the camera) Side attractions: The Cunningham Pier, with a smorgasboard of eateries ... and more wooden figures. But back inside the Carousel Pavilion (Thomas the Tank Engine will convey you for a price) there's another decent piece of nineteenth century craftsmanship restored ... which makes beautiful music. Then it's back to the station (with it's elegant brick-work). Most Australians probably don't realize that the first railway to Ballarat went from Geelong, not from Melbourne ... here's the station, still with a character of it's own. The first ever railway in Australia longer than you could walk in a day, went from here to Melbourne .... in 1857. Yes, it's an old(er) photo ... we don't have trains that colour any more. But what's that building down at South Geelong station with the tower?

May 22nd, 2007, 12:57 AM	#2
The Collector Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Marvellous Melbourne Posts: 4,144 Likes (Received): 18	*Well done Yardmaster!!* __________________ The website: http://www.thecollectormm.com.au/ I collect, therefore I am.

May 22nd, 2007, 01:15 AM	#3
gappa Registered Abuser Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Foster Posts: 2,781 Likes (Received): 1	Jolly good show old bean! It's nice to see a positive thread about Geelong. __________________ Seventy smiling Sinbads praise America and wish for some shoes

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May 22nd, 2007, 11:48 AM	#4
The Olderfleet Gothic enthusiast! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 654 Likes (Received): 0	Nice photos of Geelong! I was there recently too... it is a great city to visit! What is this building, btw? It has an interesting design...