Cavalcade of Transport Mural December 24, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
The train cafeteria at Spencer Street Station used to have this wonderful mural, painted by Harold Freedman, called the Cavalcade of Transport. Cheap food and drinks at the cafeteria as well. The cafeteria catered for the departing and arriving country train passengers.
It was popular, as you wouldn’t want to buy food on the actual train, because the VicRail folks used the pricing principle called “cost + 100%”. So the smart punter would fill themselves up at the train cafeteria.
The mural has been restored and can be found at the far end of DFO Southern Cross. The photo was taken from the viewing platform.
About the mural:
- was painted in five sub-sections, at the East Camberwell substation.
- measures 100 x 22 feet.
- unveiled 30 January 1978
- removed in 2004, to allow for the Spencer Street station redevelopment
- unveiled to the public again on the 16 April 2007.
Oh, but they donate so much to charity December 7, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
But, on the other hand, drive a $300,000 Aston Martin. Oh, I don’t begrudge someone having a nice car, but don’t expect me to think a lot of you if your publicist trumpets your charity work.
Mixer tap November 30, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal, Stories , Comments
The replacement tap was only $97. A bargain considering it is a Dorf.
Rule .303 November 23, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , CommentsThere was an episode of Law & Order SVU on recently, dealing with a teenager who couldn’t control his sex drive, and who eventually raped his teacher.
I’m sure the victim of a sex offender is never the same again. Oh sure, there is counselling, but the damage to the soul remains. In the case of people who have been molested as children, 80% of them go on to become child molesters themselves. Often the remaining 20% will have issues with forming relationships, this makes them the true victims. So let’s stop the recidivism cycle of sex offenders. And how do we do that?
Rule 303!
“Was it like this?” fiercely answered Morant. “No; it was not quite so handsome. As to rules and regulations, we had no Red Book, and knew nothing about them. We were out fighting the Boers, not sitting comfortably behind barb-wire entanglements; we got them and shot them under Rule 303,” referring to the .303 calibre Lee-Enfield rifles the Carbineers carried.
- Court martial of Breaker Morant
I don’t believe sex offenders can be cured. Sure we can medicate them, but when the medication stops, or they refuse to take it? Far better, and simpler for society, if we just shoot them under Rule 303. And then to leave them to rot in Dante’s Second Circle of Hell.
Lest We Forget November 11, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
Live and Work In The USA - no but I October 9, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
Had this opportunity.
Turned left instead of right, so that now finds me in Melbourne.
The USA has some great things going for it:
- the people
- the lifestyle
- the easy access to technology
Still I’m glad I turned left (my liver feels better for it 
)
Expat Michael Kleef offers a good counterpoint.
“Stopping All Stations Except General Motors” September 22, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal, Photography , Comments
When I heard this announcement, I thought to myself, “Must get around to visiting General Motors Railway Station”. Time elapsed, and I moved interstate for a while.
And General Motors closed.
General Motors Railway Station was used by shift workers at the General Motors Holden Plant. The car plant closed in 1991, and the last train stopped there on the 26 July, 2002. The station was closed, and with it, my chance to catch a train there.
Fast forward to now.
The station, as you can see, is a bit run down. Vandals, taking their small-minded pleasure, are slowly destroying the old safe-working/ticket box.
Nature is also doing her part in trying to reclaim the space.
You can find more photos of General Motors Railway Station at these places:
Victorian Railway Stations
Station pics by Somebody
Metf2nk
Tax checklist. August 12, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
This is the checklist I use each year for my Australian Tax Return, in a handy Microsoft Word 97 format.
Drop me a line if you think of anything else to add.
From Miss January to Miss August* in 12 seconds May 28, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
Readers might remember that I’ve written about the Mazda MX-5 before.
One of you was kind enough to send me the advertisement right.
“Have you driven it?” was the subject.
No, not yet. I have not had a chance to drive the folding hard-top version of the MX-5.
… yet.
* “Miss January” and “Miss August” ARE trademarks of Playboy Magazine. Consider yourself told.
Go the Central Oklahoma Bronco’s March 24, 2008
Posted by Dale in : Personal , Comments
It’s a big THING I’m told by people who know, that the Bronco’s Men’s Basketball team has made it into the Elite Eight.
From what I gather, it’s been running 52 years, so you know it’s got to be big.
Anyhow, my thoughts will be with you guys (Mark, Erika, Nate) 3am Thursday Melbourne time.
(and if I’m real keen, I’ll listen to the game here ).
EDIT: It was a darn close game, but UCO Bronchos narrowly lost in Overtime. Further details here.