Fitzroyalty » George St

rainbow crossing

brian — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 14:56:43 +0000

This is on the corner of George and Rose streets – a reference to recent protests about a rainbow crossing in Sydney.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

greenwash

brian — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:45:13 +0000

I walked down Rose St last week to see the graffiti covered wall of this house on the corner of George St being painted over with green paint. I paused to take a photo and one man aggressively asked why I was taking a photo. I replied that it seemed interesting to paint over the wall in that manner. Another sneered that I would immediately put the photo on my Tumblr. Pfft! Simple hosted platforms like Tumblr are suitable for amateurs.…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

curated rubbish

brian — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:35:59 +0000

On George St south of Johnston St last week. The ‘free’ sign appeared less weather worn than the rest, suggesting it was placed there deliberately.

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posted in Detritus by brian

fading to pink

brian — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 13:05:37 +0000

Red riding hood blowing in the wind on George St.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

vet

brian — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 14:07:58 +0000

The former garage or petrol station on Johnston St (between George and Eliott streets) is being redeveloped as a Vet, assuming that the sign and the animal artworks by Makatron can be taken literally.

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posted in Business by brian

Fitzroy history – corner of George and Moor streets, Fitzroy

brian — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 02:12:18 +0000

The notes for this photo state that it was commissioned by the Fitzroy Photographic Committee in 1986 and shows a former fruit shop that is now a private residence. Does anyone know who the Fitzroy Photographic Committee were?

Courtesy the Fitzroy local history collection / ID: 8775 / photographer: Caroline Philipp / copyright: used under the fair dealings provisions of the Copyright Act 1968 / c1986

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

Fitzroy history – Margaret flats, 186 George St

brian — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:12:13 +0000

This 1948 photo shows the then new ‘Margaret’ block of flats at 186 George Street, which replaced two old houses. Remarkably they seem not only completely intact but in excellent condition. Whoever built it would have cause to feel very proud of their work.

Courtesy the Fitzroy local history collection / ID: 15201 / photographer: unknown / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / c1948

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

Fitzroy history – from lollies to homes

brian — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:09:34 +0000

This 1954 photo shows what is now a block of apartments on the corner of George and Kerr streets. It was originally a MacRobertsons chocolate and confectionery factory building. The major external changes include the removal of the huge chimney and the addition of another level on top. Compared to the nearby new cheesegrater monstrosity, this renewal of former factories to housing is fabulous and practical.

Courtesy of Museum Victoria / ID: MM 57030 / photographer: Laurie Richards Studio / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / c1954

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

wall of worms

brian — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:04:22 +0000

A reader alerted me to the painting of this house on the corner of George St and Condell St, so I went to have a look. It features a wall of worms similar to others that have appeared on walls in the inner city, including Northcote and Carlton, along with spaces for people to write short quotes. The best part is the inclusion of two Mishap figures. The worms are by Simz I think. Mishap was prolific early in 2009 but I have not seen any appear this year.…

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posted in Condell St by brian

farewell Lamington Drive

brian — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:05:31 +0000

The Lamington Drive gallery, formerly on George St, has moved to Collingwood, but left behind this charming reminder of the colour they brought to Fitzroy with some fascinating exhibitions.

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posted in Business by brian

open to interpretation

brian — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:14:28 +0000

Sign on the wall of Manfax hardware, Gertrude St (corner of George St). Its curious how you walk past something for years without ever noticing it, then one day at random you see things differently.

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posted in Business by brian

a new community garden for Fitzroy?

brian — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 01:11:04 +0000

A year ago I wrote a post about the vacant land on the corner of George and Charles streets. Now the City of Yarra has announced that the site may become a new community garden. As the land is apparently owned by the Department of Human Services, permission from the government will be required. I think it’s a great idea. What do you think?

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posted in Charles St by brian

Fitzroy history – from printing factory to fashion school

brian — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:17:48 +0000

The Melbourne School of Fashion, a registered training organisation, is located in a fabulous art deco factory building, formerly a printing business, on the corner of George and Webb streets in Fitzroy.

Courtesy of SLV / ID: a19352 / photographer: Lyle Fowler / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / c1940-1949

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

George St porch jazz band

brian — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:12:35 +0000

While walking up Moor St on a recent Saturday afternoon towards Smith St I stopped to admire the music being played by a three piece jazz band playing on the cramped front porch of a terrace house on George St near the corner with Moor St, apparently just for the fun of it. I love these random Fitzroy experiences.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

This annoying life by Oslo Davis at Lamington Drive

brian — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:07:37 +0000

Last Thursday night I attended the opening night of the ‘This annoying life’ exhibition by Oslo Davis at Lamington Drive. It was so hot and so full of people! Fortunately the beer was cold and people were friendly. Davis’ work is hilarious, insightful and amusing and I tried to read as many of the cartoons as possible.

You can see some of them in the catalogue (8.5mb PDF). The show is on until 23 December so you have plenty of time to see it, but I urge you not to be too complacent as you need to see the exhibition installation to best understand the jokes (there’s text on the walls that is not in the catalogue).…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

swine flu

brian — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 01:12:58 +0000

On the window ledge outside Lamington Drive gallery.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

Portugese tarts at Sainsbury’s bakery, North Fitzroy

brian — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:02:54 +0000

On the busy Alexandra Parade and George St corner in North Fitzroy is Sainsbury’s Artisan Bakers, which make divine baked treats. Their Portugese tarts have a soft almost gooey custard filling compared to the firmer custard in those from Casa Iberia and Juanita’s, and the pastry is thinner, but they are absolutely delicious. I can also recommend the apple scroll and the herb, garlic and cheese loaf, which is particularly amazing toasted and spread with butter and vegemite.…

my best days are behind me

brian — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:05:12 +0000

An abandoned trolley and jacket on George St.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

ripe for renewal

brian — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:15:25 +0000

This long neglected former lunchbar on George St could be the location for the next cool backstreet Fitzroy cafe. But now is not the best time to be opening a new business.

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posted in Business by brian

playing the potato at Lamington Drive gallery

brian — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:13:48 +0000

The current exhibition, ‘Splintered guilders’ by Dylan Martorell at Lamington Drive gallery is another sound installation work with mechanical sound making machines and organic instruments made from potatoes and other objects. I was not able to be there when the artist was playing the instruments, but the sound is constant from the mechanically circulating branch scraping on the ground and from recorded sounds.

After Found Sound in Carlton and the noise at Conical I think I have reached my tolerance for sound art for a while.…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

winter exhibitions opening at CCP

brian — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:06:24 +0000

The opening night of the winter exhibitions at CCP on Thursday 4 June was well attended by people with impressive hairstyles. I realise now how jaded I have become about opening nights when I head for the drinks, grab a glass of wine and nearly steal it before realising that at this launch I have to pay for it. I’ve been spoiled at Gorker and Lamington Drive openings with free drinks. I paid and apologised to the confused woman behind the bar so she did not need to wrestle me to the ground.…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

breakfast number four at Min Lokal

brian — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:05:55 +0000

Having been to Min Lokal a lot for breakfast (reviews of visits one, two and three), I asked a fellow Fitzroy resident recently where she would take a visiting friend if she wanted to impress them. She replied Min Lokal. So when I had another friend visiting from Perth recently that’s where we went, and the breakfasts and the coffee were relished.

Two of our group of four had dishes I have reviewed previously.…

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posted in Breakfasts by brian

tortilla at Min Lokal on George St

brian — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:03:35 +0000

Another indulgent Saturday morning. A hungry friend in need of quality coffee who amazingly had never been to Min Lokal. My recommendation was accepted and the coffee was as good as I said it would be. Sorry Cate! We’ll come to Newtown Social Club next week I promise (we were there the weekend before this). When I love several cafes equally, I diplomatically try to visit each in turn.

I’m working my way through the menu at Min Lokal, though it changes enough to make me think I would never be able to try everything.…

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posted in Business by brian

Alone but not Lonely at Lamington Drive gallery

brian — Sun, 10 May 2009 14:12:16 +0000

The work of Andrea Innocent, in her debut solo exhibition ‘Alone, but not lonely’ at Lamington Drive gallery on George St, is sweet and creepy. Her illustrations are detailed and well executed but what impressed me most about this show is the life sized installation of a cardboard cubby house containing a young hikikomori hunched over a computer. It’s so real and a powerful symbol of contemporary isolation. You can read more about Andrea on her blog.…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

breakfast at Min Lokal on George St

brian — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 14:14:46 +0000

Over the next week I’ll be posting a food review every day as I clear a backlog of fabulous eating experiences over the Easter long weekend. One of the pleasures of taking visiting family members to places in Fitzroy is to see their genuine surprise and delight in things we residents take for granted. If you’re a regular at the Rose St markets, of course Mr Bucket tshirts come packaged in faux gourmet icecream containers. For some people, going out for breakfast is in itself novel.…

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posted in Coffee by brian

second hand books on George St

brian — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:13:48 +0000

This quirky second hand bookshop at 99 George St near Third Drawer Down and Lamingtom Drive gallery is worth a visit on a weekend walk.

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posted in Books by brian

Blemished at Lamington Drive

brian — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 02:07:37 +0000

I attended the opening of the first Lamington Drive gallery exhibition of the year on 5 February, called Blemished, which features work by Ben Constantine and Mel Stringer. Most of the works are small illustrations and you need to be up close to see the detail, which is hard on a hot day in a small room! Some of the cartoon strips are fantastically quirky. The exhibition is on until 28 February.

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

Third Drawer Down on George St

brian — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:12:02 +0000

Third Drawer Down is an eclectic design shop that opened late last year on George St near the Lamington Drive gallery. It stocks unusual and esoteric items from the range of products the company designs for international museum and gallery shops. Director Abigail Crompton kindly gave me permission to take these photos and talked to me about the shop and the design business. With a secondhand bookshop a few doors down, this section of George St is emerging as an essential destination for people out exploring the wonders of Fitzroy.…

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posted in Business by brian

park or vacant lot on the corner of George and Charles streets

brian — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 13:09:33 +0000

Another of Fitzroy’s rather forlorn patches of open space is on the corner of George and Charles streets. Someone feeds the birds but I hardly ever see any people using the space. Like other small parks it has no name. Is it even a park, or is it open vacant land?

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posted in Charles St by brian

Fitzroy history – dinner at the Rochester Castle hotel

brian — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 13:17:37 +0000

This undated photo shows the Rochester Castle hotel on the corner Johnston and George Streets in the late nineteenth century. Unlike many other nineteenth century pubs in Fitzroy, which have been demolished or made into private housing, the Rochester Castle is still a functioning and popular pub.

Courtesy of Fitzroy local history photograph collection / ID: 8768 / photographer: unknown / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain

The Rochester attracts a young and casual crowd.…

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posted in Business by brian

Napier studios retrospective at CCP

brian — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:08:39 +0000

On Friday 28 November I went to the CCP for the opening of a retrospective exhibition for the Napier studios, a youth art workshop established in 2004 by the City of Yarra. The exhibition features photos of the artists at work rather than the works themselves (or reproductions of them), and the opening night was really the launch of a high quality booklet documenting the achievements of the studio 2004-2008. The exhibition is on until 13 December so go along and get a copy of the booklet.…

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posted in City of Yarra by brian

The Tiniest Spark at Lamington Drive

brian — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:24:57 +0000

Drawings by Kat McLeod form the latest exhibition at Lamington Drive called The Tiniest Spark, which is on until 29 November. The small delicate fashion illustrations drew a large crowd who crammed into the tiny gallery for the opening night (above). Fortunately a larger area out the back provided space (below) for people to talk, drink and eat the icecream from sponsor Trampoline. Examples of her work are posted at Jacky Winter and The Design Files.…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

Lamington Drive

brian — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:12:47 +0000

The Fitzroy gallery scene has become frantic in 2008, with several new galleries opening. The latest is Lamington Drive, on George St near the corner of Gertrude St (behind Title). The gallery features the work of illustrators, rather than painters, and is a small intimate space. The walls are lined with cardboard (I don’t know if this is part of the opening exhibition, and is temporary, or if this is part of the look of the gallery).…

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posted in Business by brian

min lokal has max appeal

brian — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 13:10:39 +0000

On Sunday I walked around to George St to sample the breakfast at Min Lokal. Where’s the beef? has already reviewed it, and I was keen to taste the Napoli eggs. Michael obviously has not read about the Wildflour saga on my blog, but I’ll forgive him because I like his work.

Poached eggs

I’m excited to report that everything that Michael said about the Napoli eggs is true – it is a miracle of a dish.…

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posted in Business by brian

Wildflour has left Fitzroy

brian — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 01:54:39 +0000

The on and off Wildflour situation has been resolved: the cafe has been closed and they no longer operate in Fitzroy. Thanks to my reader Olivia for letting me know via a comment. I think I was right the first time: good riddance.

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posted in Business by brian

Wildflour revisited

brian — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 14:01:12 +0000

I was walking down George St and found myself passing by Wildflour, which has recently experienced business problems. A former cafe site, it was turned into a bakery on site cafe, albeit without a baking licence. The council forced an end to on site baking. I stuck my head into the just closing cafe to have a look at the rearranged eating space which, without the oven, has been enlarged.

A friendly staff member starting chatting with me and I asked about the changes to the business.…

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posted in Business by brian

Wildflour

brian — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 13:05:24 +0000

On a lazy weekend day walk around to Wildflour on George St and enjoy one of the best breakfasts in Fitzroy. My favourite (apart from the amazing bread and the most delicious chocolate croissant in the universe) is the potato cakes with poached eggs. Divine. Thankfully, they’re just around the corner.

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posted in Coffee by brian

light box at CCP

brian — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:06:35 +0000

I went round to the Centre for Contemporary Photography a few nights ago to look at their night show, based on a light box in a window. It’s called Pret-a-Porter ? Infrastructure Spectaculaire. It displays photos for a few seconds in an endlessly rotating sequence. Just like a screensaver really, and about as interesting. I was expecting more. I expect something more original, something surprising, and I’m not getting it. Perhaps I just don’t get it?…

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posted in Fitzroy by brian

photography at CCP

brian — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 13:06:58 +0000

The Centre for Contemporary Photography is the perfect place to stop and visit as you amble down George St (it’s on the corner with Kerr St) in Fitzroy.

They are advertising a new Projection Window that is viewable all night from the street, so I will go a have a look at that very soon!

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posted in Fitzroy by brian