A City Lost and Found: Whelan the Wrecker's Melbourne

by Robyn Annear

“Old landmarks fall in nearly every block ... and the face of the city is changing so rapidly that the time is not too far distant when a search for a building 50 years old will be in vain.” – Herald, 1925.

The demolition firm of Whelan the Wrecker was a Melbourne institution for a hundred years (1892–1992). Its famous sign – ‘Whelan the Wrecker is Here’ on a pile of shifting rubble – was a laconic masterpiece and served as a vital sign of the city's progress. It's no stretch to say that over three generations, the Whelan family changed the face of Melbourne, demolishing hundreds of buildings in the central city alone.

In A City Lost and Found, Robyn Annear uses Whelan’s demolition sites as portals to explore layers of the city laid bare by their pick-axes and iron balls. Peering beneath the rubble, she brings to light fantastic stories about Melbourne's building sites and their many incarnations. This is a book about the making – and remaking – of a city.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Australia, Cities

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Want to know about yesterday? Ask a wrecker.’

In this book, Ms Annear tells the story of the building and rebuilding of Melbourne, through the work of Whelan the Wrecker. Over almost 100 years, the Whelan family demolished old buildings. In the 1890s, Jim Whelan demolished some cottages in Brunswick, salvaging some useable material for sale. In 1991, the company was forced into liquidation.

Ms Annear has used Whelan’s demolition sites as portals, to enable her to explore the city at different stages of its development. What buildings were removed? What buildings replaced them? Cities develop over time, and changed patterns of life and land use often result in new and different buildings being required. Founded in 1835, Melbourne has undergone many booms and busts. Between the gold rush of the 1850s and the present, the city has undergone continual transformation. Some of the buildings demolished could (and perhaps should) undoubtedly have been saved. But others were hazardous.

This book isn’t about what was lost to the wrecker’s ball. At one level, it’s about the art and skill required to demolish buildings, the danger involved, and the pride in completing the job safely. At another level, it’s about the opportunities for development and redevelopment, the functional use of space, and the organic nature of cities.

Over time, the phrase ‘Whelan the Wrecker is here’ expanded its meaning. By the 1950s, it was no longer just a reference to the firm, but a reference to any scene of disorder. I first heard the phrase used during the 1960s.

Each chapter of this book is prefaced by a map, with markers showing which sites are involved. There are photographs and anecdotes, characters and events.

I really enjoyed reading this book: a history of a city through the history of a firm engaged in dismantling its buildings.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with any city in the world buildings come and buildings go. This is an interesting read about the history of Melbourne and the landmarks that are no longer a part of it. It also tells of the Whelan family and their demolition firm who helped shape the city by the buildings that they demolished. Whelan the Wrecker the name says it all.

[PipReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

opened my eyes to the forgotten beauty of melbourne

[Louise Scouller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story told well. More of a textbook.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read about the history of Melbourne's buildings and Whelan the Wrecker. I remember seeing 'Whelan the Wrecker is here' signs as a kid. And also using the phrase 'Whelan the Wrecker' to describe someone who was making a mess of things! I remember my father talking of how many beautiful buildings were demolished in Melbourne in the 50s and 60s and what a great loss it was. I now know which buildings he was talking about. This is a well written book and easy to read. I felt like I was walking through the streets of Melbourne's past. Despite the carnage the Whelan family left behind, you can't help but admire them as a family that stuck together and kept their business going for so long. I loved the quirky memories that are interspersed within the book.

[Matt Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book, a well written and engaging read. Most history books are a struggle to read cover to cover, but I kept coming back to this one over time, and I took my time, and never had the desire to give up on it. It's a very different way to learn about a city, through the destruction of it's buildings and the wrecking company that pulled it down.

I found myself enjoying the lovely descriptions of the buildings, thinking how great it would be to visit them and see them for myself, all the while knowing that I'll turn the next page and find out that it's been pulled down...

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought that a book about buildings being demolished could be so interesting. Although a little bit sad when you realise what has gone.

[Jim Rimmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

While not originally from Naarm I was captivated by this city as a child. My old man always told me it was the real capital of (so-called) Australia. Since moving here weeks after finishing university I've travelled to many continents and experienced many great cities but few if any have sunk their claws in to the same degree.

Annear's book holds a mirror to Marvellous Melbourne and is at least as much about building this city as knocking bits over.

Laced with humour and irony, this a great read for anybody who wants to learn more about Melbourne's past and future.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most enjoyable tale of historic Melbourne.