Sounds of the city

Let’s walk across this city, let’s journey back in time,
Let’s take a look together, and see what we can find
We’ll make sure that we listen, with our ears close to the ground
Then consider all our choices, and work out what’s that sound

Aerial view of Melbourne city — Image by tezhangy from Pixabay

What's that sound?

1835-1850 Melbourne the meeting place

What’s that tip-tap-tapping on country?

A. Music Sticks

B. Hands

C. Lewin’s Rail

D. Marbled Gecko

That’s the sound of music sticks!

When Aboriginal clans gathered together prior to European settlement, dancing displays welcomed visitors and celebrated special events. Music brought people together to sing, dance, learn and share knowledge.

1850-1880 Gold Town

What’s that clink-clank-clanking across the gold fields?

A. Gold Scales

B. Miner’s Pick

C. Gold Pan

D. Cobb & Co Coach

That’s the sound of a miner’s pick!

The discovery of gold at Ballarat in 1851 sparked a rush that transformed the city. An estimated 6000 diggers arrived each week with their shovels and picks hoping to find their fortune.

1880-1900 Boom and Bust City

Who’s that chit-chat-chattering in the Cole’s Book Arcade?

A. Children

B. Glass Marbles

C. Monkeys

D. Rocking Horse

That’s the sound of a monkey!

Coles Book Arcade was a shop like no other, crammed with new and second-hand books, a gallery of fine art, a garden of exotic plants and a collection of animals including a monkey house.

1900-1920 Melbourne and the nation

Who’s that fa-la-la-ing in the garden?

A. Dame Nellie Melba

B. Flying Fox

C. Hairy Cicada

D. Common Blackbird

That’s the sound of Dame Nellie Melba!

Melbourne-born opera singer, Dame Nellie Melba was Australia’s first international star. She conquered great opera houses in London, Paris, Milan and New York but regularly returned to Australia to perform.

1920-1945 Electric City

Who’s that clip-clop-clopping across the racetrack?

A. Phar Lap

B. European Rabbit

C. Greyhound

D. Lock-Necked Turtle

That’s the sound of Phar Lap!

Phar Lap the wonder horse was responsible for lifting the sprits of Australians during the great depression. Audiences followed his major wins by radio and relived them on the new 'talkie' newsreels at their local cinemas.

1945-1980 Suburban City

What’s that grumble-rumble-rumbling in the neighbour’s backyard?

A. Chickens

B. Toyota Corona

C. Australian Cattle Dog

D. Lawn Mower

That’s the sound of a lawn mower!

The arrival of a million immigrants over a twenty-year period saw a cultural and physical transformation of the city. The suburbs expanded, television arrived and the Victa lawn mower became an Australian icon.

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