Larry La Trobe – the curious incident of a dog that went missing

The street of Melbourne is dotted with numerous sculptural icons – the visually stimulating and the whimsically humorous, the mind baffling and the disastrously controversial, the vainglorious posthumous statues of important white men, the aesthetically pleasing objects, and the many other meaningless commissions lacking artistic merits.

Larry La Trobe, the 70 cm in height dingo-like dog seated at the north of the not very impressive City Square, is a strange creature that attained its fame from all the wrong reasons. Created in 1992, it was named after the artist Pamela Irving’s uncle (Larry), and the first Liutenant-Governor of the state of Victoria (Charles La Trobe). Despite the lovely name, there is really nothing too spectacular about this tiny bronze sculpture, no legendary story depicting its real life’s loyalty or bravery, and neither is there any significant historical event associated to it or to account for its presence at the city central.

Yet it has achieved a status almost equivalent to the beautiful Hachiko in Tokyo and Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburg. A two-metre high replica of the dog was being hailed in celebratory form in the 1996 Moomba Parade, and was apparently being paraded again in Osaka a year later and won the Best Float award in Japan.

It all began on a mystifying night of 30 August 1995. The 30 cm bolts securing Larry La Trobe to its faithful place were being mysteriously removed. The statue has disappeared without a trace, to the great astonishment of the city dwellers. The puzzling affair received immediate attention from Melbournians, and a campaign was started in search of little Larry. The curious incident captured the imagination of the people: What was the motive behind the kidnap of a bronze dog without a demand for ransom? Was it a joke played too far? Has little Larry been melted down, or has the poor creature been drowned in the Yarra River?

Despite the widespread publicity and media campaign, little Larry has never been recovered, and the culprit remains unknown. Thanks to Peter Kolliner (the previous owner of the foundry where Larry the senior was originally casted), Larry the junior came into life in 1996. The second Larry was casted in the same mould as its predecessor, albeit with a slight hint of redder appearance. It was officially unveiled on 16 September 1996.

Following the reinstallation of Larry La Trobe, the extensive interest on the curious incident of the dog that went missing slowly faded away. The story became part of the thick invisible archive of unsolved mysteries in Melbourne.

Today, Larry La Trobe (the junior) is one of the most well loved sculptures in Melbourne. Children adore the little pet and frequently bestow it with generous love and affection. Larry La Trobe is pampered daily with hugs and kisses from young kids, and continues to enjoy its stardom in Instagram and Facebook.

Location:

North of City Square, corner of Collins and Swanston Street

Meat Market - a transformation from a market to an art space

We could almost imagine the scene there and then: horse-drawn carts loaded with large chunks of beef and pork, clattering noisily on the hard cobbled stone surface, making their way into the market hall and their respective stalls. The squishy sound of meat sawing mingled loudly with the almost aggressive haggling noise between the wholesalers and customers. The boisterous cries of weights and grades, the rowdy and unapologetic comments from retailers attempting to strike the best bargain of the day, the stern voices of meat inspectors trying to enforce orderliness amidst the chaotic circumstances, the confusing yells of instruction and warning from the market caretakers; It was an insane mess, but at the same time, natural and befitting to the bustling market surrounding.

After operating as a meat market for almost 94 years from 1880, the building gradually lost its appeal as the perfect market venue. Tighter health regulations enforcing the distance between exhaust fumes from petrol driven vehicles and the meat stock meant the building could no longer serve its original function. This resulted in the eventual closing down of the market in 1974, thereby ended the era of a frenzied meat market in this beautiful Victorian building designed by the famous George Johnson (also the architect for the North Melbourne Town Hall).

The heritage status of the building was registered 17 days prior to its appointed auction date. In other words, the market hall would need to be preserved and no demolition plan would be allowed. Potential bidders were aghast and lost all interests in the purchase.  The market, unable to be sold, was then leased for various purposes, including being used as a car park. Numerous feasible uses were considered throughout the years, and there were no lack of prospective buyers eyeing the charming outlook of the building thoughtfully from time to time. 

To cut a long story short, the state government of Victoria purchased the building subsequently at the price of $890,000 in January 1977. The building was first served as a Craft Centre. Financial crisis embroiled the centre in the later years, where tenancies were dropped and revenue was adversely affected, despite the annual state funding provided.

Today, the building is managed by the City of Melbourne, and is still serving as office and workshop accommodation for various craft organizations, artists and writers. The two pavilion spaces at the main hall are impressive venues available for hire for various purposes such as theatre performances, dance, markets, exhibitions, community events, conferences, and film shoots.

Stepping into the historical building, we can still see the bewhiskered head sculpture of the founder and Chairman of the Metropolitan Meat Market Company, William Reynolds. The hanging frames for meat, the timber boards at the ceiling, and the original stallholders names are still clearly visible; As if the old meat market of yesteryear has not really left us, after all. 

Location

5 Blackwood St, Melbourne VIC 3051

Access:

Tram stop 12: Flemington Road/ Peel Street on routes 55 and 59

Prahran and its Opportunity Shops

Salvos

Purchasing a second-hand item in an opportunity shop is like drinking a good wine. A strange and perhaps not very appropriate analogy, you might say, but I have never found any other shopping experience to be as unique as this. Like the habit of wine consumption, it is an “acquired taste”, preferred by some but is never a universally accepted or favoured practice of all mankind.

Some approached it suspiciously and might be deterred from taking a second sip forever after sampling the harsh and sophisticated aftertaste of a glass of dry red wine. After all, you never know what you will be getting in a second-hand shop: the vintage dress you picked up will not have the industrial fragrance present in a brand-new piece of clothing, and the yellowish pages from the old books collection will never emanate any fresh appealing scent commonly found in unused books. Questions run through your mind like an unstoppable stream: are the products defective, hygienic, sub-standard, lacking in warranties? Who were the owners and what were the stories behind those eccentric bric-a-bracs sitting mysteriously on the display racks? 

But trust me, once you have gone passed the obstructive stage and got hooked to the addictive habit of frequenting opportunity shops, there will be no turning back. The shopping experience is always fun and unpredictable, infused with positive expectations and anticipations. It is a perfect adventure, an explorative quest, a discovery expedition of unknown gems and treasures. Most importantly, it is a pleasant journey knowing that for every item you purchased, the proceeds of which will end up in a good cause, be it to assist a homeless in need or to contribute to an emergency relief fund.

Prahran Red Cross 

Prahran is one of those affluent suburbs in the inner Melbourne where numerous charity shops can be found amidst the upscale fashion boutiques, stylish cafes, trendy pubs and rare delicatessens. If you are taking a stroll from the north of the fashionable Chapel Street, turn right at the junction into Commercial Road and you will reach your first opportunity shop: the Prahran Red Cross, sitting strategically across the famous Prahran Market. Cluttered in a not very big space is an assortment of chic and occasionally branded fashions, from designer platform pump, elegant clutch bag and leather sport shoes. Our delirious finds of the day include a Ralph Lauren baby romper, John Lewis newborn onesie, and an ErgoCocoon winter swaddle – all in good condition and sold at an unbelievable price of $3 each.

Prahran Mission store

Continue your journey down to the South of Chapel Street and you will soon arrive at the Mecca of opportunity shops, where several amazing second-hand stores colonized along the area near the High Street. You could first rummage through the huge wire basket placed outside the Prahran Mission store and pick your bargain books at $1 each, before stepping into the store and browse through those abstract paintings, glass utensils, and formal business shirts for men.

Salvos

  

If you fancy something swanky, the Salvos store down the road will be your ideal shopping place, where glamour, posh and relatively expensive price tags are just few of its characteristics that make this extremely spacious shop stands out from the rest. The groovy jazz music at the background and the careful display of items accentuate the classiness of the store. This is the place where you can find rare vinyl records, antique Victorian sofa, quality cookware and stylish female apparels.

Storehouse Charity Op-Shop

The Storehouse Charity Op-Shop with its bright orange signage is another excellent bargain centre where you can find excellent collection of DVD series amidst the junks and treasures of all kinds. The Sacred Heart Mission store located right opposite is a trove with a huge floor space containing numerous bizarre trinkets and homeware, furniture of varied styles and designs, and curated artworks.

  

Sacred Heart Mission store

Sacred Heart Mission store

Access from CBD:

Tram 8, 6 or 72

Location:

Along Chapel Street, Prahran

Markit @ Fed Square this Sunday (8 May 2016)

It was a feast of all things beautiful and unique. Cruising down the aisles of stalls and inhaling the sweetest artistic air, an unceasing wrestle began between the creative right hemisphere of the brain and its analytical left counterpart. Such was the struggle occurring twice a year when the Markit and its hundred curated designers made their presence at the Federation Square.

Think of the battle between the mysteriousness of a rock garden within a spherical glass terrarium versus the rather extravagant price that could have bought me at least three meals of beer-battered fish and chips in a city pub. The dainty white stoneware vase would have made a brilliant centerpiece in the dull living room, yet the practicality of such item and the prospect of dust accumulation in the near future made me cringed in annoyance. All girls love a distinctive piece of jewellery, and a pair of glittering ruby studs in miniature size would surely make some great but unassuming accessories for the coming winter. Yet the thought of adding an extra pair of earrings into the huge trinket collection at home made me paused in hesitation.

It was a chaotic war akin to a Game-of-Thrones scene: the fight between the indulging eyes, throbbing heart, fluttering stomach, screaming purse, calculative brain, and the practical mind. Yet we left the event each time with a contented heart, having thoroughly enjoyed viewing and admiring the originality and deftness of those delicately hand-made items produced by both emerging and established Australian designers.

The upcoming Markit on this Sunday (8 May 2016) is expected to be another grand fiesta celebrating the ingenuity of the local artists. A brief browse at the list of designers would have easily made all lovers of handcrafted arts smile in excitement. Fabric pouches in vintage design, classic boots with leather insole, ceramic stoneware painted with adorable cartoon artworks, water colour illustrations with food-inspired theme, lightweight natural linen dress, handmade infant’s shoes with soft leather lacing and padded sole, abstract landscape painting in a voluptuous of colours, tiny notebook made of recycled material and partly-cotton cover – these are just some of the many items that might make you falling in love head-to-toe this Sunday.

Date and Time:

8 May 2016, 10 am- 5pm

Website:

www.markitfedsquare.com.au

Location:

The Atrium and Deakin Edge Theatre, Federation Square, Melbourne

Free Admission