Arrived in Melbourne without issue

[Bretrick]

I have been here for 3 nights now. Everything is going swimmingly.
My host is very easy to get along with and there have been no negative issues thus far.
Early days yes, we both agree that there is no reason that my move here should not go ahead.
Odds are that I will be moving to Melbourne permanently by late May.
I have not ventured too far to date as I do not have my vehicle here.
The surprising thing for me is that AFL Park Waverley (formerly VFL Park) is within walking distance.
I went for a walk and snapped some photos.
VFL Park was the only original football ground I never got to attend a game.
The ground was open for business in 1970 and the first-ever VFL game was played on April 18th when Geelong played Fitzroy. The first player to score a goal was St Kilda player, Doug Wade in front of 25,000 spectators
Geelong won by 61 points.
The venue was still under construction at the time, with only one stand partially completed.
The ground hosted it's final AFL game on the 29th of August 1999 between Hawthorn and Sydney by 85 points in front of a sell-out crowd of 72,130.
The ground is still used today, hosting the South Metro Junior Football League. It is the home ground of the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club.
VFL Park Waverley in the 70s.


Waverley Park 2026


My photos yesterday

 

[CaliS]

So glad things are going well !! The park looks so much smaller in the more recent photo.

 

[Bretrick]

So glad things are going well !! The park looks so much smaller in the more recent photo.

Well spotted.
I spoke with the curator yesterday (16th April) and he mentioned that the original oval was 200 metres long x 160 metres wide, (25,133 sq metres), the redeveloped oval was reduced to 160 metres long by 140 metres wide. (17,720 sq metres)

 

[robin416]

In that first pic my brain is struggling with all of the cars parked. How did all of those people fit in the stadium?

Then to see it now with houses where those cars are. What I can say, they did a lovely job repurposing the area.

 

[IrishEyes]

I am so happy for you that your hopes of the future are looking very pleasing and positive.
Cheers to you for making the trip to explore the possibilities, very brave.
When you get back I bet late May won't come soon enough. How wonderful to have that dream.

 

[hollydolly]

Looks great so far Bretrick...I can feel your enthusiasm from here... if you move, this is going to be a whole new chapter and beginning for you....

 

[Bretrick]

In that first pic my brain is struggling with all of the cars parked. How did all of those people fit in the stadium?

Then to see it now with houses where those cars are. What I can say, they did a lovely job repurposing the area.

The stadium held 72,000 people.
I would willingly live there, overlooking the oval.

 

[Bretrick]

I am so happy for you that your hopes of the future are looking very pleasing and positive.
Cheers to you for making the trip to explore the possibilities, very brave.
When you get back I bet late May won't come soon enough. How wonderful to have that dream.

Even this trip seemed to be so far away in mid February.
Very pleased so far.

 

[Bretrick]

Looks great so far Bretrick...I can feel your enthusiasm from here... if you move, this is going to be a whole new chapter and beginning for you....

Yes, it sure will be a new and exciting beginning.
100% positive the move will be permanent.

 

[Tish]

I have been here for 3 nights now. Everything is going swimmingly.
My host is very easy to get along with and there have been no negative issues thus far.
Early days yes, we both agree that there is no reason that my move here should not go ahead.
Odds are that I will be moving to Melbourne permanently by late May.
I have not ventured too far to date as I do not have my vehicle here.
The surprising thing for me is that AFL Park Waverley (formerly VFL Park) is within walking distance.
I went for a walk and snapped some photos.
VFL Park was the only original football ground I never got to attend a game.
The ground was open for business in 1970 and the first-ever VFL game was played on April 18th when Geelong played Fitzroy. The first player to score a goal was St Kilda player, Doug Wade in front of 25,000 spectators
Geelong won by 61 points.
The venue was still under construction at the time, with only one stand partially completed.
The ground hosted it's final AFL game on the 29th of August 1999 between Hawthorn and Sydney by 85 points in front of a sell-out crowd of 72,130.
The ground is still used today, hosting the South Metro Junior Football League. It is the home ground of the Waverley Park Hawks Junior Football Club.
VFL Park Waverley in the 70s.
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Waverley Park 2026
View attachment 498408

My photos yesterday
View attachment 498409

View attachment 498410

View attachment 498412

Very happy for you, and thank you for sharing those great pics

 

[hearlady]

Love the pics and happy for you and your plans!

 

[astralcat]

So, moving is in your future? I am happy to hear Melbourne meets your expectations. Here is something to keep you smiling.

 

[Kaila]

Great photos, thank you as always, for sharing them.

And it seems like all good news. Congrats!

 

[Rossana]

I am so happy for you, Bretrick and thank you for sharing the pictures.

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Great pics Bretrick. What a cool thing to live close to. I bet you can’t wait to move.
How much longer are you staying?
I can’t wait to see pictures of when you move in. Your new place sounds great.

 

[Bretrick]

Great pics Bretrick. What a cool thing to live close to. I bet you can’t wait to move.
How much longer are you staying?
I can’t wait to see pictures of when you move in. Your new place sounds great.

Thank you. I fly back to Perth on the 4th of May and begin the preparations for the move.
The house is great. There is a large spa bath in the ensuite attached to my bedroom. ooh, la-di-da. Plus another standard bath.

 

[MrPants]

Is there much of a noticable difference in climate between Perth & Melbourne? Temperatures, rain volume, amount of sunshine hours; stuff like that?

 

[Pinky]

@Bretrick

Sounds like a cool living space, and, you are so fortunate to be able to live in such a world-class city.

My daughter and I, really loved Melbourne.

 

[hollydolly]

@Bretrick

Sounds like a cool living space, and, you are so fortunate to be able to live in such a world-class city.

My daughter and I, really loved Melbourne.

Pinks you often mention that you lived in Australia.... what made you return to Canada?

 

[PeppermintPatty]

Thank you. I fly back to Perth on the 4th of May and begin the preparations for the move.
The house great. There is a large spa bath in the ensuite attached to my bedroom. ooh, la-di-da. Plus another standard bath.

A spa bath ensuite ? How cool is that. You must be so excited to move in.

 

[Bretrick]

Is there much of a noticable difference in climate between Perth & Melbourne? Temperatures, rain volume, amount of sunshine hours; stuff like that?

Very noticeable difference. Especially the early morning temperatures. This morning it was noticeably chilly.
I cannot remember a morning in Perth as cool as this.
Something I cannot believe is that Perth has more rain in a year than Melbourne.
Perth - 750mm, Melbourne - 684mm.
I say poppycock to that. But those are the Bureau of Statistics figures.
In terms of sunshine. Perth - ~ 3,200 hours/year, Melbourne - ~ 2,380 hours/year.

 

[Bretrick]

@Bretrick

Sounds like a cool living space, and, you are so fortunate to be able to live in such a world-class city.

My daughter and I, really loved Melbourne.

I woke up this morning, and it was noticeably chilly.

 

[Bretrick]

A spa bath ensuite ? How cool is that. You must be so excited to move in.

Yes. I am really looking forward to the move. Should be around late May/early June.
The spa bath is huge. There is another separate bathroom upstairs with a standard bath.