A foray to modern Struggletown

The original "Struggletown" was Richmond in the period up to 1965, described brilliantly by Prof. Janet McCalman in her book of that name.  She concludes the preface to the latest edition in noting that since the time her story finishes, the area has been well gentrified.  I had been there once before, searching unsuccessfully for Norwegian beer in Purvis Beers shop.   On the way back from that expedition I took a tram down Church  and Chapel Sts to Prahran and decided that Church St looked interesting.

So we caught a 72 to Chapel St and then an 87 towards Richmond.  I had intended to get out at St Ignatius Church which is at the high point between the Yarra and Bridge Rd.  However I got distracted and we ended up a stop past Bridge Rd.  No biggie, just adding a bit of uphill.

As we got out of the tram there was a rather good example of art, which according to Google Lens is "the famous and much-discussed Jack Riewoldt mural on Church Street in Richmond."  Looking that  up had led me to the Tigerland walk which we must do sometime.

Heading across Bridge Rd and up the hill we first passed a Uniting Church facility which appeared to be closed but good looking.
Right on the ridgeline we got to St Ignatius.  The position reminded me of going to a Barry Humphries show in Adelaide many years ago when he talked (inter much alia) about how the Catholics always grabbed the high spots!  At one time the spire was the tallest structure in Australia.
Being a Catholic Church it was open for inspection.  The Altar.
The nave.
One of several small side chapels.
I was intrigued to see this memorial to soldier kill on the Western Front as there are typically few such memorials in Catholic churches. I raised this with a priest in Temora (Central NSW) and he opined that it possibly reflected Daniel Mannix' vehement opposition to WW1.
Another unusual (IMO) feature of the church was having a columbarium built into the main structure,
Leaving the church we wandered back down the hill.  I was surprised by this very large old house: more like Toorak than Richmond.
An small street off Bridge Rd with much art.   The 2 locals appeared to be curious about me taking a snap.
The Town Hall.  Before Jeff Kennett 🤮🤮🤮 created Yarra Council the Richmond Council was a very dodgy operation as described in the book mentioned at the beginning of this post.
I think this guy was prior to the period covered by Prof McCalman so perhaps he was OK?




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