South Melbourne Depot tribute / traces

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Alan Cooper

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Sep 20, 2025, 7:31:08 AMSep 20
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Made a day of it by looking in at the former South Melbourne Depot site.

Attached it a photo of a mosaic on the NE corner of the site, facing Dorcas St.  Called 'Fallen Timetable', it was apparently created in 2000 by David Jack of Melbourne Mural Studio (see https://www.muralstudio.com.au/about/ ).  The image appears to have been taken from a photo, probably from the WW2 era, but I have no idea who the people might be.
Melbourne Mural Studio represents a fresh departure in the world of mural art, it is on the cutting edge of mosaic art! Works are initiated with imagination and vision, while always respecting the past traditions. The results are artworks that bring an inspiring yet human dimension to any environment. MMS is committed to transforming with skill and integrity the ideas and aspirations of its ...
The part of Dorcas St just short of the intersection with Kings Way has been resurfaced some time since late 2023.  This has removed most of the pale crescent-shaped patch that covered the former tracks connecting the depot to Kings Way.  The pale patch immediately to the right of the bottom of the post with the right-pointing arrow sign in the A photo is all that remains of this last trace of the tram track.  The B photo shows what is on the site now, a car dealership; this angle would have looked in the gates of the old depot.
Fallen Timetable 20250920.jpg
Sth Melb 20250920A.jpg
Sth Melb 20250920B.jpg

Peter Bruce

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Sep 20, 2025, 8:20:47 AMSep 20
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The mural, two B shift trammies from the '60s and '70s Billy Sires and Irene Stepien. Billy was a bit of a rascal, I think Irene was Polish but could be wrong.

Peter Bruce.


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Steven Altham

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Sep 20, 2025, 7:59:45 PMSep 20
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Alan did you see metal column about halfway along Dorcas Street outside entrance to apartments. it has a brief history of Sth Melb depot with a few tram images from memory W329 & A single truck tram A class images from 1971 Destination City book??? etched into stainless steel bollard I suppose you would call it ????

Alan Cooper

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Sep 21, 2025, 7:48:21 AMSep 21
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No, I missed that.  Think I walked down the opposite footpath.

I'll have a look when I'm next in the area, but this might not be for a while.  Maybe when the Metro Tunnel opens.

Alan Cooper

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Dec 13, 2025, 4:33:21 AM (9 days ago) Dec 13
to TramsDownUnder
Went to Anzac station today and visited this area again.

Turns out I could have answered my own question - a plaque recording details of the mural is right next to said mural.  I probably missed it on my earlier visit as I took the photo from across the street.

The other photos are of the metal info board outside the apartment block.  I couldn't get a good photo of the 'history' (wordy) side.  The lettering was etched into the metal and filled in with black paint which has since eroded away.  It is readable in person but hard to photograph.  The other two sides of the 'totem pole' are blank.
Sth Melb 20251213C.jpg
Sth Melb 20251213B.jpg
Sth Melb 20251213A.jpg
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