Finalising The Travels of Flat Susan in Melbourne

What a whirlwind adventure this little lady has been on she has been everywhere whilst in Melbourne she got to see the night life of the city, also the city waking up to a new day and the behind the scenes with many broadcast happening. We need to take a step back and show you some photos from the Grand Final Footy Show, these are graphics of the stage setting and the images are made up of many mini lights on a blanket screen, really awesome set up and it even impressed me this year.

Myrene & Ross on set

light blanket screen oodles of little
lights make up the graphic pictures

After the Grand Final Footy Show we moved around the corner of the city and went to the Promenade where the Today Show was being broadcast, just for a small show like this it takes days to set up and then the early morning start, even the stars are on set at 3 am for a 5 am start

City from the Promenade 

Flat Susan got to see everything unfold first hand the streets were picturesque with art and lights that adorned the streets. The pretty city alight with the beauty of the night time.

Art along the boardwalk river edge

Here you can see all the lights that are constantly sparkling through out the city streets.

Now comes the Grand Final Football parade where thousands of people flock to the streets of the city and see their favourite football players in the parade.  This event is huge and I am on the streets as early as 2.30 am to get things rolling along for the broadcast.  To be honest with you I love this job, you get to see the city when it is in skeleton mode and all the people are sleeping. 

There is never a better chance to stand in the middle of the busiest intersection in Australia and take photos because there are no cars or people.  We have the city to ourselves the streets are being blocked off for the parade and it is a beautiful place.  

Below is a photo of the beautiful church that sits opposite Flinders Street Station which is on the right.

Flinders Street Station

Then the crowd starts to arrive by the thousands and the once quite streets turn into jam packed fans trying to get a glimpse of their favourite football stars.  Here is the same church but from a slightly different angle but pretty close, packed in tight with people

This shot is taken from a crane that we had set up at the end of the parade, our broadcasting trucks are to the right of the shot beside the building, tucked away carefully but the staff had been on site since 3 am.  Flat Susan thought this was amazing and got to ride in the crane.

Before the crowds arrived we went on a private tour of the city and Federation Square which is on another corner of the same intersection.  People gather here to see all sorts of entertainment and watch big matches on the screens and enjoy the city when they  can't get tickets to the game or event.  

Federation Square

This is called the Birdcage and it is constantly changing colours and you can walk through it to get to the ACMI Centre and other parts of the square.  There is so much happening in the place all at the same time it would take you hours and hours to really enjoy it all.  Flat Susan got to see some of the animals in the ACMI Centre and was fascinated at their size.

Here is Flat Susan on top of the Penguin and it talked to her, she wouldn't get off either, she had to be encouraged to leave.  She then moved on over to a weirdly positioned Giraffe, yep here he is sticky beaking into the building and he got busted.

I am now moving onto a rather normal event but one that I have been looking forward to and it was a craft fair called picture2page not that far from where I live and seriously Flat Susan and I wanted to get some retail therapy in and see some of the artistic talent that exists here in Melbourne.

Well did she have a fun time, everyone wanted to know about her and why she was travelling the world, some didn't comprehend how people wanted to host Flat Susan but she impressed them all.

Here we are at the main entrance and with one of Flat Susan's fans.  Such a lovely lady with a beautiful smile.

We watched ladies demonstrating crafts and others that were doing their sales pitches. 

 But the best is yet to come.

I had to be out of town again for another broadcast and drove many hours north west of Melbourne to a place called Bendigo where there was a Netball match happening, well this was no ordinary match it was the world championship netball game Australia V England and I took Flat Susan with me for company on the drive and seriously you never know what will turn up with my type of work and turn up they did the English team was there and Flat Susan got to meet them 

all, the girls were really fascinated by her travels and seriously I am not sure they fully understood the travelling she was doing all over the globe but to turn up in a distant country town in the out of the way place in Australia for a Netball match was just incredible.

Flat Susan then became so happy to have kindred souls from her home land I couldn't shut her up, she kept on talking about it all night, she even sent an email to her creator Neet to tell her what was happening, 

It really is a small world. 

Last but not least, even netball courts need modification for a broadcast and the lighting crew moved on in and the courts were wired.

I won't let you know who won, maybe you should google it, some might not like the end result.  Flat Susan was supporting England.

We went for a visit to a local bakery to get some supplies to eat and Flat Susan likes this place, here she in on the sign waving to everyone.

I am adding another little bit on to this post, it is of Myrene with Flat Susan at an event she went to, and a person she got to meet up with. This man is called Peter Hitchener and he reads the news to most of Australia every day.  This is so profound for her, but she wanted to do it. Flat Susan is pinned onto Myrenes jacket.  No I was not there with her.  Afterwards she got a photograph autographed from Peter addressed to Flat Susan, this will be posted off to Neet as soon as I can.

Whilst they were out and about Myrene took Flat Susan to the Royal Melbourne Show to see the fireworks and other events, they got to see farm animals and the dairy hall all extreemly interesting to see.  Flat Susan had a fantastic time she got to go on rides and get some show bags.Mum says Thank You Myrene.












Now trying to wrap this event up, this is one really traveled little girl whilst she has been in my care, I know I have had her for quite some time and it is all with Neet's permission, as she knew I had many grand things planned for her stay and all so worth the time and such a blessing to have her here.  She has got to see a world that some people can only dream about, to meet some really famous people too.  

I hope you have all enjoyed her journey here in Melbourne and the life of broadcasting and being on the road with work.  There is never a dull moment and I crave quiet time, sometimes and want to get home to cuddle Yoda and get some normality back and be just me.  

I hope you support her next hostess who is a lovely lady who is another WOYWW desker Sandy, from Lonely Cards

For all the Yoda fans, here he is sleeping next to me in his bed until I get in mine.  Such a beautiful little man with a gentle heart waiting patiently for me to upload this post.


Hugs to all
Eliza