Summary

One of a subset of 26 negatives taken of Melbourne central business district and surrounding areas, highlighting Spencer Street Station.

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 Arden Street showing the area bounded by Spencer Street, Errol Street, Grattan Street and the Yarra River. It also features Haymarket Roundabout. Beyond this area is Kings Domain showing Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Government House, and the Shrine of Remembrance. Next to it, on the south side of St Kilda Road, is the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV). In the middle of the image is the Queen Victoria Market and Flagstaff Gardens. Further in, on the north side of the River, is Jolimont railway yard and the Melbourne Cricket Grounds (MCG).

Physical Description

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

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