You may have noticed from my last two posts on my nautical look for Spring 2012 that I seem to be fond of the Jan Mitchell bollards in Geelong.
You would be right!
I find them fun and whimsical.
Artist Jan Mitchell took a short wooden or metal post that was predominately used by ships and boats for mooring and turned them into a showcase of history for Geelong. Each one has a story. All of them make me smile. So I thought I would share a few of the 100 that dot the waterfront.
How lucky are these ladies. Such fantastic built-in support in those bathing costumes!
I could actually imagine myself as this bollard. Eggplant coloured pencil skirt, paisley top and a cardigan with a drink in my hand. This could easily be me most days!
You’ll find a rabbit painted on many of the Jan Mitchell bollards. The rabbits are symbolic of the wild rabbits introduced by the English to Australia, that now wreak havoc on the landscape and agricultural industries. Because there is no natural predator of the rabbit in Australia their population exploded. So some bright spark introduced the fox. Guess what? No natural predator for the fox either. Of course all this happened back in the mid 1800s before ecology was so well thought out but 150 years later, it’s still a problem.
This sad clown has a broken heart. Poor dear. It’s a wee bit sad but is one of my favourites because it is so different from the others. Maybe that’s another reason he is so sad.
Australian Rule Football is, in my opinion, the best sport ever! Geelong loves their team, The Cats and they have had about 5 or 6 years of being a very strong team. However, they aren’t my team so the bollard is the only Geelong Cat I like.
What a nice pair of bollards.
(nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
I’m not sure about the social commentary that goes with this set of bollards but the one on the right without the shirt looks to be the youngest and as you go to the left they seem to become older and more clothed.
As I mentioned earlier, there are over 100 of Jan Mitchell’s bollards along the Baywalk in Geelong. If you have the chance on a beautiful sunny day to check them out, it’s a very pleasant walk.
Related articles
- Bollards outside London school that look like pencils sharpen safety (standard.co.uk)
- Jan Mitchell’s Waterfront Bollards (intown.com.au)
- Geelong is Famous for it’s Baywalk Bollards (geelongaustralia.com.au)
- Me and the Band (astimegoesbuy.me)
- Nautical Look – Spring 2012 (astimegoesbuy.me)
September 30th, 2012 at 00:11
What fun, Laura. Hope you are having a grand time….
September 30th, 2012 at 01:04
It was a lovely day and really got me in the mood for being on holiday! Soon, so very soon!
Cheers,
Laura
September 30th, 2012 at 00:51
Haha! These are awesome. So funny. 😀
September 30th, 2012 at 01:05
They are pretty cool aren’t they?!
I love to see them when we go to Geelong because they are clever and cute and fair bit whimsical. 🙂
Cheers,
Laura
September 30th, 2012 at 02:10
So fun! I’ve not ever seen these before.
Paula
stylist & stiletto maven
September 30th, 2012 at 06:36
They are pretty cool!
I know what a bollard typically is but these in Geelong are the only ones I have ever seen that have become bigger and turned into art.
They are dotted along the beachline but very few would be anywhere near being close enough to the spots you would find the standard bollards.
I think I mentioned that they cover the history of famous people and events in Geelong’s history.
And I love them!
Cheers,
Laura
September 30th, 2012 at 07:47
These are fun! I enjoyed your comment about the she bollard with the eggplant skirt. OK for the skirt but the blouse is a little bit overwhelming… Have fun and enjoy your weekend 🙂
xo,
Anne
September 30th, 2012 at 10:05
True her shirt is a little overwhelming.
I like to think she is experimenting with pattern to find her inner-fashionista! 🙂
I hope you enjoy your weekend too Anne!
Cheers,
Laura
xx
September 30th, 2012 at 09:56
Adorable
September 30th, 2012 at 10:08
Aren’t they cool?!
I love the whimsy.
Cheers,
Laura
October 1st, 2012 at 05:22
These are hilarious! I love them.
October 1st, 2012 at 08:54
I know!
They are so cute, I love the whimsy. 🙂
Cheers,
Laura