"Australia's Own Car": the General Motors Holden plant at Fishermans Bend

Fishermans Bend is planned to become the largest urban renewal project in Victoria. But this precinct holds many interesting sites and stories that are important for telling the story of Melbourne's and Australia's history. This video explores the huge General Motors (Holden) automobile complex on Salmon Street and Todd Road. This was one of the largest centres of Australia's car research, design and manufacturing, and only closed in 2020. ------------- I acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which this video was filmed, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people. I pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging and their extensive historical connection to land, water and country. ------------- My website: https://philipmallis.com ------------- MORE INFORMATION Heritage Council of Victoria report (2019): https://heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ED-RECOMMENDATION-INCLUDE-GMH-Fishermans-Bend-FINAL.pdf University of Melbourne Fishermans Bend Campus Masterplan: https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/466303/2-UoM_Fishermans_BendDraft_Masterplan_prepared_by_Gimshaw_Architiects_Part_1.pdf See photos of the Social Centre murals here: https://artdecobuildings.blogspot.com/2008/07/gmh-social-centre-fishermens-bend.html ------------- SOURCES AND CREDITS Map source: © Openstreetmap contributors, 2021 Image source: 'Fishermans Bend Framework', Department of Jobs, Precincts & Regions, Government of Victoria (2021). https://www.fishermansbend.vic.gov.au/ Satellite image source: © Google, 2021. https://maps.google.com.au Image source: Messrs. Hartnett and Storey laying the first foundation. [BRG 213/73/4/VOL1/15] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/73/4/VOL1/15 Image source: 1935 'LAND AT FISHERMAN’S BEND', Shepparton Advertiser (Vic. : 1914 - 1953), 26 June, p. 5. , viewed 29 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article186108355 Image source: Foundations and concrete tower for main office building. [BRG 213/73/4/VOL1/8] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/73/4/VOL1/8 Image source: Main Office looking east. [BRG 213/73/4/VOL1/54] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/73/4/VOL1/54 Image source: Interior of garage [BRG 213/207/1/266] • Photograph, State Libary of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/207/1/266 Image source: Photograph album of General Motors-Holden's Limited Fishermen's Bend Plant [BRG 213/73/32/12] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/73/32/12 Image source: 1936 'GENERAL MOTORS' NEW WORKS', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 29 September, p. 12. , viewed 29 Jul 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205910126 Video source: "All Australian Car", GM Holden. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnyxTSvH6Uw Image source: Outside the Social Centre, Fishermen's Bend. [BRG 213/27/13/10] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/27/13/10 Image source: Social Centre, Fishermen's Bend. [BRG 213/27/13/9] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/27/13/9 Image source: J.B. Chifley inspecting the new 48-215 [FX]. [BRG 213/27/13/15] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/27/13/15 Image source: Holden 48-215 [FX] on display. [BRG 213/27/13/26] • Photograph, State Library of South Australia. https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/BRG+213/27/13/26 Image source: Aerial view of The Holden Motors plant at Fishermans Bend, Pratt, Charles Daniel, State Library of Victoria. http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/385632 Image source: University of Melbourne, https://about.unimelb.edu.au/priorities-and-partnerships/fishermans-bend Image source: University of Melbourne Fishermans Bend Campus Draft Masterplan prepared by Grimshaw Architects, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, https://www.planning.vic.gov.au/policy-and-strategy/proposed-planning-scheme-amendment-for-C371-university-of-melbourne#documents