Summary

One of a subset of 63 negatives and 17 contact prints taken of Melbourne central business district and surrounding areas.

This subset is part of approximately 3,000 negatives taken by Jim Payens, the Melbourne based aerial photographer, and form part of the Payens Collection. The images span the period predominantly between the 1950s - 1970s.

Jim Payens was one of a very small number of Australian photographers to have specialised in oblique and survey aerial photography. He was also one of the earliest Australian aerial photographers. This collection consists predominantly of aerial views of the city of Melbourne, surrounding suburbs and regional Victoria but also extends to other parts of Australia. The Collection depicts a variety of landmark events and major engineering projects throughout Australia including the Australian Grand Prix, Olympic Games (Melbourne & Sydney) and the construction of Eildon Weir.

The Museum also holds the aerial camera and equipment used by Payens to take these images as well as an oral history interview with the photographer.

Description of Content

Oblique aerial photograph of the city of Melbourne looking south-east from Spencer Street showing the area bounded by King Street, Lonsdale Street, Spring Street and the Yarra River. Beyond this area is Fitzroy Gardens, Jolimont railway yard and the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). On the south side of the River is Kings Domain showing the Shrine of Remembrance, Sidney Myer Music Bowl and Government House. Further out are the suburbs of Richmond and South Yarra extending to the outer south-eastern suburbs. In the foreground is the Supreme Court of Victoria and further in on the south-east corner of Collins and William Streets is the National Mutual Centre. The Centre was built on the former Western Market site.

Physical Description

negative; black and white; silver gelatin; cellulose acetate.

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