If there’s one song that is so Melbourne it makes me home sick even when I’m at home it would be Leaps and Bounds by Paul Kelly. It has a line “The clock on the silo says 11 degrees” and many is the time I’ve had to call somebody as I drove past, or was on the train to the G just to say “the clock on the silo says 11 degrees”. Sadly The Age reports that the silos are coming down to be replaced by an office block.
Thankfully the sign is protected and it will be placed atop the new building but I wonder what my kids will think in years to come as we go by and dad mutters under his breath “the clock on the silos….”
I love this sentimental guff. But some explanation is required for us Poms on this one. Did the great Brit comedy series The Likely Lads ever make it to Oz? I’m sure you’d love it.
I don’t think I’ll get over this one! I can’t imagine returning to Melbourne and finding the silo’s gone. My neighbours in Prahran used to climb up there and sit under the clock of an evening and have a drink watching the city move around at night. They learnt the way up from some skateboarders they once met. I always thought I’d try it one day but now it will be too late……