It was again a beautiful day in Melbourne (20c+) and I decided that since the sun was out I would head down to Brighton Beach.
I have seen pictures of these boxes all over the place…in travel books, pictures on walls, advertisements for Melbourne etc. I attempted to try and find them a couple of weeks ago but took a wrong turn and ended up giving up…including the weather was miserable. So, I got onto Brighton Road and stayed on that road until I saw a sign for South Road…which took me all the way down to the sea front at Brighton Beach. I turned right and headed down the promenade to ‘Middle Brighton Beach’ where I saw the huts in a long line. I parked up and walked down to the beach. I didn’t think I would find anyone on the beach, but the beach was quite crowded with sun worshipers and families.
In 2003 there was an auction for one of these bathing boxes. The bidding started at $85,000 and and bounced steadily upwards to a nice round $150,000 - at a time when the property market is supposedly as flat as the bay on a calm afternoon. The box sold was number 47 and is smaller than your average single garage. Like the other boxes, it boasts neither electric power nor running water and is essentially a glorified shed without tools. Yet the price it fetched was only slightly less than the top bid for a flat in St Kilda and even closer to the sale price for a four-bedroom unit in Sunshine North.
A fellow called Mark Hollow could have had no idea what he was starting when he erected what is believed to have been the first Brighton bathing box in 1862. Showing commendable initiative, he did so without permission from local authorities. Why am I not surprised!! By the early 1900s, there were also boxes on the beachfront in Hampton, Sandringham, Black Rock, Mentone and Mordialloc. Most disappeared over the years, victims of tempests, neglect, or short-sighted councils. Some of those in the Brighton region were destroyed by storms; many of the remaining 81 were shifted from places roundabouts during the 1930s, first to the beach and subsequently, after some dunkings, back from the high-water mark. Now they enjoy heritage listing.
On the way back I passed Luna Park…The famous laughing face of Luna Park has been a symbol of St Kilda since 1912. This amusement park has some great attractions, including the heritage-listed roller coaster (the only one of its kind operating in the world) and a beautifully crafted carousel.
I was glad that I got out for a drive away from the hustle and bustle…Acland St was so busy I could hardly drive down in. All the cafes were packed inside and outside and the streets filled with shoppers. I went home and relaxed for the rest of the day.
Last but not least…
- I have had my hand slapped via email from my mother about my vulgar mouth…Mother I will never swear again…ok?
- Natalie, if you are reading this, I have been trying to call you FOREVER…I will try again next week.
- Steph…I am still waiting for the answer to the name of that show…get a shifty on.
- Luciana, I hope all is well on the rocky Imagination. I hope that you get a cushdy couple of days in port…you know that won’t happen though don’t you?
- Jacob and Sam…I found this picture of you both from Papa’s birthday…you both look fabulous!
Recent Comments