Sitting above the Forrest Place entrance to the
General Post Office building, on one side the Australian emblem showing a kangaroo and an emu holding a shield representing the states and territories. There's an old story that says the reason the kangaroo in this particular emblem is looking back towards the city is because the maker of the shield hadn't been paid for his work so he designed the kangaroo looking back towards those who owed him money, not sure if it's true but I hope so, I like it :) Below on the other side the British lion and unicorn as a reminder of our colonial heritage. I absolutely can't believe it's Friday once again AND that we're half way through 2013, is anyone else 'feeling the speed'? Take care.....
What terrific, fascinating captures for the day!! And an interesting story as well!!! I always look forward to your posts, Grace, and I'm never disappointed! Thanks for sharing the interesting and beautiful places and things in your country!! Enjoy your weekend -- and, yes, the time does fly!!
ReplyDeleteThe Emu is looking in that direction too! I'd love it if that were a true legend.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm feeling the speed. I really can't believe it's June already.
Lovely captures and love the fascinating tale!
ReplyDeleteI think the kangaroo is looking back towards the pigeon ;-)
ReplyDeleteNice photos and nice story, Grace!
Love that tale and the picture! And no, I cannot believe that time has passed so quickly, wasn't it just 2012? Well, they say time flies when you're having fun, right:))
ReplyDeleteI love the tale Grace and of course the images. Lovely stuff (Hi from Verona)!
ReplyDeleteI like it when there's a legend behind things! And I like those old sculptures very much.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes,I feel time running..
Oh, I do like those!
ReplyDeleteI like the story too! It's good to have historic reminders, especially when they are quite beautiful like these!
ReplyDeleteWait??!!! There were unicorns once in Australia!!!??? Magical!!! I can't slow this time thing down. It does fly by and I don't know how to stop it! But if I find a way, I'll let you know:) Happy weekend!!
ReplyDeleteBoth emblems are quite striking. The story of non-payment, or more likely very late payment, to the artist is easy to believe.
ReplyDeleteNo...we can't be half way thru this year. Soon the days will be getting shorter (here) but the good news is that your days will be getting longer :). Cool story about the kangaroo...I bet it is true!
ReplyDeleteYes time is speeding up the older I get. I have just returned from holidays p north and I have been scrolling through your blog to catch up. I love your different perspectives of Perth. That cactus sculpture is sure an eye catcher. The kangaroo story is a good one. I wonder how many people notice it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that it's june at all - it has turned cool here again - only +14˚C today which is really weird for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful crowns with great meaning.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the first.
Hugs and kisses.
Good Weekend.
It is fun seeing the crests from Australia. Whether the tales are right or wrong, they are fun, aren't they? Thanks for educating us.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first emblem and the buildings in the last shot.
ReplyDeleteJust imagine the talk between the lion, unicorn, emu & roo!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the kangaroo is often depicted looking backwards on coats of arms, such as on the City of Melbourne crest. http://tinyurl.com/luh7klc It's something to do with the kangaroo not being able to move backwards and must always go forward (progress) but it learns from its past by looking back. That could all be a load of cobblers though.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes this year is speeding by so fast, too fast, Grace! Can´t believe soon the days are getting shorter again over here.
ReplyDeleteCute thought with the roo! :-)
Huge buildings with so beautiful details, I love the kangaroo. I have a dream to go to Australia someday, I want to see the birds and animals.Australia has such a special fauna and nature!
ReplyDeletehugs and a nice weekend lovely Gracie!
Léia
A funny story about the kangaroo looking back!
ReplyDeleteThe British looks very regal but I like them both. Funny story about the kangaroo.
ReplyDeleteMuy buenas fotos, con profundidad, simetria..un beso desde Murcia.
ReplyDeleteThere is more skill required in creating the pretentious emblems than in shoving a green plastic 'thing' in the street.
ReplyDeleteI could do that one, if I drank enough!
I have not seen the Australian emblem before. It is quite remarkable and a thing of beauty. I hope the story is true, too.
ReplyDeletei am feeling tired and cranky ... its raining .. again .. in fact it was near impossible to get out of bed this morning .. half day fridays are a drag, i begin fridaycations at the end of the month and i cant wait ...
ReplyDeleteI had not noticed the turned heard before Grace and like the story that goes with it too. Will need to look more carefully when next passing the GPO. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story, Grace. Perth certainly has some wonderful architecture....
ReplyDeleteOld shields - nice
ReplyDeleteFun story, and a interesting shield.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, great story!! I guess that's an early version of 'naming and shaming' - but a bit more permanent!! I didn't know until recently that the reason emu & kangaroo were chosen for the coat of arms was because they can't move backwards!! But there's nothing to stop them from LOOKING back, haha!!
ReplyDeleteI like that story too, true or not. Yes, time is passing quickly!!
ReplyDeleteNice :-)
ReplyDeleteC'est vrai, on a l'impression, que le kangourou demande où attend quelque chose.
ReplyDeleteAmicalement !
Sorry to dash your hopes of a cool story, but it's a huge myth. The National Archives of Australia WA branch has an original drawing of the facade of the building, with the kangaroo looking that way. It's the original designs from 1911, which predate the building being built.
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