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 University of Melbourne Parkville campus and surrounding area looking south-east from Royal Park showing the area bounded by Royal Parade, College Crescent, Nicholson Street and Victoria Street. Beyond this area is the central business district and the suburb of Richmond. In the foreground, within the University ground, is Ormond College, Queens College and Newman College surrounding the University Oval and Hockey Pitch. On the north side of the campus is a construction site (possibly the Medical Building). In the background is the Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens.

Physical Description

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

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