The City of Melbourne is depicting Victoria’s and Australia’s growth at Melbourne’s most historic meeting place. Located a few metres from the old Yarra Falls site, the historic Sandridge rail bridge, now Queens Bridge, has been converted into a new pedestrian and cycle path that links the north and south banks of the Yarra River.
The old Yarra Falls site is a traditional Indigenous meeting place and was where Melbourne’s first white settlers landed and engaged local Aboriginals. In the last century, the Sandridge Bridge helped bring many new immigrants directly to Melbourne on the rail line which linked Station Pier to the city. More recently, Southbank and Queensbridge Square have become vibrant tourist destinations for local and international visitors.
The 118 year old Sandridge Bridge is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register and is considered to be of State significance. It is 178.4 metres long and 17 metres wide. As part of Council’s $16.5 million Australian’s History Initiative, the bridge now features 128 glass panels and six interactive touch screens celebrating the history of arrivals and meetings. The glass panels run the length of the path and record details of original Indigenous inhabitants and immigrant nations and peoples who have helped shaped the diverse society of modern Victoria since the 1830s. Some 114 of the panels are dedicated to information on migration from specific nations, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The details were prepared by Dr James Pupp, author of The Australian People.
Interactive touch screens provide further information on arrivals, migrations and the history of the area, as well as historic information about the Sandridge Bridge.
The idea was conceived by Melbourne businessman, Les Erdi. Installation of the panels on the refurbished bridge and the culmination of this project complete his ten year vision.
In addition to the panels, the bridge also features ten 7.5 metre high sculptures, known as ‘the travellers’, which depict the story of the arrival of migrants to Melbourne.
The Australian’s History Initiative has also provided a major open space plaza on the south bank of the Yarra and a new youth orientated area on the north bank. The precinct is jointly funded by the State Government and the City of Melbourne with contributions from the developer.
For further information on the Australian History Initiative, visit www.australianshistory.org.au
