Welcome to the A-Z Guidebook Link Up. If you would like to join, read the A-Z Guidebook tab at the top of the blog and write a travel post relating to the letter of the month.
*Hello readers and contributors. As you read this, I am celebrating a significant birthday in New Orleans. Huzzah! This month:
V or Variety
Victoria Bridge is one of the main pedestrian bridges from the south side of the Brisbane River over to the city. Before 2001, it was the only one on that stretch of the river. I must have walked back and forth across it dozens, if not hundreds of times. It cuts quite an impressive swathe with stylised 1970’s arches swooping over the river. On one end is a sandstone arch from another era that until recently, I had never bothered to investigate. It turns out that this arch is actually a remnant from the 1896 bridge. It’s called the Victoria Bridge Abutment.
The reason the arch has remained is as a memorial to an eleven year boy, Hector Vasyli, who was killed in 1918 when a vehicle accidentally struck him at a parade for soldiers returning from the Great War. Since then, a memorial service is held every year at the site on ANZAC Day. After being left to fall into disrepair, the arch and memorial were restored in 1988 and in the 2015, a platform was constructed to give the public better access to the memorial.
Worth a visit when you walk across the bridge to or from South Bank.
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Happy Birthday Fiona. and thanks for your interesting posts over the years. Enjoy your holiday too.
Cheers Francesca – I’m back and about to be off again to the Barossa. Blogging will return in May!
Birthday blessings. Enjoy New Orleans, one of my favourite cities at this time of the year.
Who knew New Orleans who knew be so good. I was thinking it may be like Las Vegas but it was much better and so much to eat, drink and listen to. We will definitely return.
i had no idea of the history of this bridge. how sad. glad there is a small memory still up in brissie. we seem to knock things down usually:( Happy birthday!
It must have been a tragedy at the time, particularly given its link to the war. Lovely views too so I’ll know you’ll visit very soon, if you haven’t already.