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HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL
NORTHERN WALL DIRECT FACTORY OUTLET, SOUTHERN CROSS RAILWAY STATION, SPENCER STREET DOCKLANDS, MELBOURNE CITY

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Victorian Heritage Register
THE HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL SOHE 2008
THE HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL SOHE 2008
THE HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL SOHE 2008
1 history of transport mural 2000
history of transport mural plan
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Statement of Significance

What is significant?
The 36.6 metre long and 7.32 metre high History of Transport mural featured across the main concourse of the Spencer Street railway station, depicting the first century of transport in Victoria (1835-1935), was commissioned by the State Government in 1973. Painted by State Artist, Harold Freedman (1915-99), and two assistants, the work was completed in January 1978. The mural, a realist oil painting on canvas mounted on plywood, was painted in five main sections at the East Camberwell railway substation, and erected in stages above the Spencer Street station concourse. During 2000 the right end section of the mural was repositioned perpendicular to its original location due to the building being shortened in connection with the development of the Docklands. With the redevelopment of Spencer Street Station into the Southern Cross Station, the mural was stored for 3 years and re-erected in April 2007 on the north wall of the Direct Factory Outlet building that forms part of the redevelopment.

How is it significant?
The History of Transport mural is of historic, cultural and social significance to the State of Victoria.

Why is it significant?

The History of Transport Mural is historically important as the first of a series of public art works commissioned by the State Government following the appointment of Harold Freedman as State Artist in 1972. The position of State Artist, (1972-83) was unique in the history of Victoria and Australia. The mural is the largest work painted by Freedman and the most ambitious narrative work of its kind in the state.

The History of Transport Mural is culturally and socially important as a graphic public record and celebration of the role transport played in the development of the state from a simple pastoral settlement to a modern progressive industrialised entity during its first century.
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    • Plaque Citation

      HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL - Plaque Citation

      This realist oil painting was created in 1973-78 by State Artist, Harold Freedman, for the Spencer Street Railway Station concourse. Depicting transport modes from 1835-1935, it shows Victoria's development from pastoral settlement to industrial economy.

      Permit Exemptions

      HISTORY OF TRANSPORT MURAL - Permit Exemptions

      General Exemptions:

      General exemptions apply to all places and objects included in the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR). General exemptions have been designed to allow everyday activities, maintenance and changes to your property, which don’t harm its cultural heritage significance, to proceed without the need to obtain approvals under the Heritage Act 2017.

      Places of worship: In some circumstances, you can alter a place of worship to accommodate religious practices without a permit, but you must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria before you start the works or activities at least 20 business days before the works or activities are to commence.

      Subdivision/consolidation: Permit exemptions exist for some subdivisions and consolidations. If the subdivision or consolidation is in accordance with a planning permit granted under Part 4 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the application for the planning permit was referred to the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as a determining referral authority, a permit is not required.

      Specific exemptions may also apply to your registered place or object. If applicable, these are listed below. Specific exemptions are tailored to the conservation and management needs of an individual registered place or object and set out works and activities that are exempt from the requirements of a permit. Specific exemptions prevail if they conflict with general exemptions.

      Find out more about heritage permit exemptions here.

      Specific Exemptions:

      EXEMPTIONS FROM PERMITS:
      (Classes of works or activities which may be undertaken without a permit under Part 4 of the Heritage Act 1995)

      Nil.

  • Tours involving this place See all tours

    Melbourne Murals

    30/11/11

    Hosies Hotel Mural - Keith Haring Mural - History Of Transport Mural - Beaurepaire Centre - Newspaper House Mosaic - Cafe Florentino - Tolarno Hotel

Public contributions

Tours involving this place See all tours

Melbourne Murals

30/11/11

Hosies Hotel Mural - Keith Haring Mural - History Of Transport Mural - Beaurepaire Centre - Newspaper House Mosaic - Cafe Florentino - Tolarno Hotel

Note: Developments may span multiple time periods
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