WorkChoices, Hawkey Style

Hay St, Perth

'Any boss who sacks a worker for not turning up today is a bum.' Who knows why this banner was hanging up over a major intersection right in the middle of Perth CBD, but it was, and that's good enough for me.

Sizzler, bitches.

Innaloo Cinemas, WA

Yeah, that's right, Sizzler. Cheese bread and all. Perth friends don't understand why this would be exciting, Melbourne friends do, and Melbourne residents who've been back to a Sizzler in Perth remember exactly why this shouldn't be exciting. On a side note, I spent the rest of the night Innaloo as well.

Dennis Lillee, Cricketer

St George's Terrace, Perth

Abbotsford St North Melbourne: Sign Nerd Heaven?

Yes. Here we have some nice painted billboards (ancient) for Astor radios and Penfolds wine, on old sign on the side of a sub station, and the sign above a baby health centre which is still used for the same purpose, albeit as a 'maternal and child health centre'.

Bank Commonwealth

Some Laneway (sorry) off Lt Bourke St, CBD

Post No Bills

Cohen Place, City

Please see that...

Waratah Place, City

Can't believe I actually found this, it's quite small and tucked away. I wouldn't like to guess how old it is, but it's pretty cool that a sign for something so mundane is so meticulously hand-painted - the artist has even painted in a drop shadow.

Keep South Melbourne Beautiful

Clarendon St, South Melbourne

There's nothing beautiful about this beast of a sign. As an aside though, this sign is near the front of the Old Papershop Deli in Clarendon St - home to good coffee and gigantic slices of cheesecake late on a Sunday night. A sort of ritual. 

Just when you think you've hit on something unique, some mongrel shows you up for the dork you are, and does the job better than you. (click)

Seriously, awesome site though. Check it out.

Wake Up!! We're at War

(Roadwork Ahead)

Corner Leveson & Queensberry Sts, North Melbourne (temporary - long since gone)

Creative use of some roadworks signage. Genius.

McWilliam's Cream Sherry

A'Beckett Street, City

Lovely old painted billboard, despite the addition of some aimless tagging. I suspect you wouldn't get away with using a shickered old monk to sell grog nowadays. 

Bois & Charbons

Abbotsford Convent, Collingwood

Who or what Bois and Charbons are/is, I've no idea. This shot was taken around the side of Abbotsford Convent on a recent trip to Collingwood Children's Farm, where I was attacked by a pregnant goat, but that's another story. Any idea what this would be advertising?

Update: Tom from the Farm Cafe says: "This paint work is from a film shoot a few years back. Many people wonder about it and why the nuns would have that painted on their building! Hope the goat attack didnt leave to much of a bruise." Cheers mate.

Ye Olde Coke Vending Machine

Centre Road, Bentleigh East

For some unknown reason, Laundromats are like little time capsules for old stuff that probably should have been replaced years ago. This Coke vending machine lives in a laundromat in East Bentleigh. It's in surprisingly good condition - alas no Tab or Mello Yello, and cans no longer cost 70 cents. Still, a nice flashback to my childhood, as this would have to be a good 20 or 25 years old.

Footscrayzy

Corner Orford Road and Waverley Street, Essendon

This sign is an institution if you've ever lived in Essendon or the surrounding area.

For years, dedicated locals have painted (or more recently stencilled) 'zy' onto the end of this sign. For years, dedicated council workers have cleaned it off again. For years, other dedicated locals have put it right back up again. The fact that the sign is a good couple of metres off the ground is a legacy of this ongoing battle.

So famous is this particular sign that it even has its own online presence: The Footscrayzy Sign Society on Facebook.

Playground

Grandview Street, Essendon

Nothing particularly remarkable about this old street sign. Until you get closer and realise the triangle at the top is handmade from four pieces of metal, and that the whole thing is hand painted.

Say Marchants Please!

Buckley Street, Essendon

Post Office Receiving Pillar

Buckley Street, Essendon

I love it that it's called a 'receiving pillar'. Now there's a few of these still kicking around the inner suburbs, but this one is worthy of attention for two reasons. First, it is in stunning condition, and has been beautifully restored. Second, this one is still in active use - note the standard Aussie Post labels on it.

For the trainspotters out there, this was made by W. Anderson and Sons, of Jeffcott St West Melbourne.

Crazy Cat

Elizabeth St, Melbourne

Photo courtesy of Kitten Wrangler

What this cat is doing here, how it got there, and what if anything it was advertising remains a mystery (until I can be bothered trying to find out). He just sits there, poking his gigantic head above the surrounding streetscape, possible trying to catch pigeons with his two dimensional tongue. Or not, whatevs.

Women
Random Public Toilet, Neerim Rd, Murrumbeena
Photo Courtesy of Kitten Wrangler
God love 'em. Before you give me funny looks for hanging around toilet blocks, note that I didn't take this pic. That said, both Kitten Wrangler and I are in love with the font choice.

Newman's Have Removed

Collins St (I think), Melbourne

Photo courtesy of Kitten Wrangler

'Have removed'. How quaint. Also, note how it's painted over another still older sign, all of which we can read is 'jewellers'.