Description
Built over decades from the 1930s, the now-closed Holden complex was an exemplar of a pre-war, wartime and early post-war manufacturing plant. After Holden made a significant contribution to Australia’s WW2 effort, in 1948 the site saw the first mass-produced Australian-made car proudly launched by prime minister Ben Chifley. For over 70 years the site provided a home for innovation and social connection in Fishermans Bend, providing thousands of quality manufacturing jobs for Victorians and new arrivals to Australia.
Starting and finishing at the Fishermans Bend Gateway Hub, at the historic Shed 21 located under the Bolte Bridge by the Yarra River, the tour will cover key moments in the history of manufacturing in Fishermans Bend, the legacy of Holden site and talk about the transformation that lies ahead in the sites transformation to become the centrepiece of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct.
Participants will be transported by bus from Shed 21 to the Holden site and then back to Shed 21. A food truck serving hot food for purchase will be available 12 noon–2pm.
Participants: comfortable closed-toed and sturdy shoes are essential.
What's On
Step back in time on this one-off guided tour to the former manufacturing site of General Motors Holden, and imagine the future when it will be the heart of the Fishermans Bend Innovation Precinct. Listen to stories of the past from former Holden employee James Wise and discover the opportunities presented in the future by the precinct’s renewal from Bryn Davies from the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions.
Children’s activities
No
Images: (1) Remnant sawtooth sheds at the former General Motors Holden site, Fishermans Bend. Photo: Courtesy of Development Victoria. (2) Remnant sawtooth sheds at the former General Motors Holden site, Fishermans Bend, with Melbourne city skyline in the background. Photo: Courtesy of Development Victoria. (3) Australian prime minister Ben Chifley at the launch of the Holden FX, the first mass-produced Australian-made car, at the General Motors-Holden's factory at Fisherman's Bend in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1948. Photo: National Archives of Australia. (4) Aerial view of General Motors Holden, Fishermans Bend (Ca. 1950 - 1960). Photographed by Charles Daniel Pratt. Source: State Library of Victoria.
Important Details
Time & Date
Tours run 11am, 2pm
Running for approximately 90 minutes in groups of 18 people
This event is booked out and the waitlist exhausted.
Age Requirements
Accessibility
Location
Fishermans Bend Gateway Hub, at Shed 21, 206 Lorimer Street Docklands 3008
Contributors
This tour is presented in partnership between the City of Melbourne, the Fishermans Bend Taskforce (Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions) and Development Victoria.
