Learn English while learning about daily life in Australia, with Rob McCormack
Podcast Number 8 – Melbourne’s Federation Square
Hi,
Melbourne is a great city for sports, art and culture. One of the places where these things come together is Federation Square. Federation Square is Melbourne’s central public square.
In many ways, it is the real centre of Melbourne. But it is much more than just a square. Like every city square, Federation Square has large open spaces where people can gather. It has an open air theatre which holds more than 15,000 people.
It has large television screens so people can watch major television events such as the Olympics.
But as well as outdoor spaces, Federation Square has many excellent indoor areas and spaces.
It has many cafes and restaurants where people can meet and enjoy a meal, or a snack, along with some of Melbourne’s famous coffee.
Federation Square also has art galleries, museums, exhibitions, studios, cinemas, a theatre and many shops.
And most of all, Federation Square is a place where things happen. Musicians perform their work, artists show their paintings, their drawings or their sculptures, conferences are held, television programs are made, festivals are held and book and wine fairs are held.
One special museum is the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.
This museum explores film, television and digital culture. It holds exhibitions and screenings, and educates all visitors about the important role of film, television and computer imaging in modern society. Another important gallery at Federation Square is the The Ian Potter Centre. This art gallery is part of the National Gallery of Victoria and is Australia’s first major art gallery for Australian art.
You can even rent a bicycle at Federation Square so that you can cheaply explore the city of Melbourne. Or you can take part in one of the many activities. Regular concerts at Federation Square include rock, classical, pop, hip hop, folk and R n B music.
Federation Square was opened in 2002 and it now has over 10 million visitors each year. It is built over a working railway yard right next to Flinders Street station, one of Melbourne’s major city railway stations. The buildings and open spaces at Federation Square rest on a huge concrete deck built over the railway yard. In spite of that, the design of the deck means no noise or vibration from the railway disturbs the space or the buildings in Federation Square.
Federation Square has become one of the most important meeting places in Melbourne. People call it ‘Fed Square’. When our 2012 Olympic team came home, Melbourne welcomed them at Federation Square. The main tourist information centre for Melbourne is also here.
There is no doubt that Melbourne would not be the same without Federation Square. When you come to Melbourne, make sure you visit Fed Square. For more information, go to www.fedsquare.com/.
If you have a question or a comment to make, please leave it by clicking the comments link at the top of this story. You can leave your comment in English or in any language and I will translate it. Or, you can send me an email at rob@slowenglish.info. I would like to hear any suggestions you may have. I would especially like your suggestions for podcast topics. Goodbye until next time.
Rob
Podcast 8 Quiz - Did you understand the podcast?
You can take the quiz as many times as you like.
Vocabulary
art = beautiful things made by people
cafes = a place where you can buy and drink coffee
central = in the centre
cinema = where you to to see a film
classical = music of a certain type, not rock, not jazz, not hip hop
computer imaging = a picture made on a computer
concerts = when artists perform music
conferences = when people meet together to talk about something
culture = the way we live and the things we like
design = the plan for something
digital = to do with computers
disturbs = when something stops you from doing something
drawings = pictures drawn by artists
educates = when someone learns something
excellent = when something is very, very good
exhibitions = a large number of things to see in a museum or art gallery
fairs = when people come together to talk about the same thing
famous = when everybody knows this person or thing
festivals = when people come together to see organised music, art and other activities.
film = a story taken by a camera and shown in a cinema
galleries = a place where you go to see art
gather = when people come together
happen = when something takes place, when something comes to pass
holds = the number of things or people that can fit inside
huge concrete deck = a large space made of concrete
in spite of that = when something happens even though it’s difficult or hard
meal = when you eat food, usually at morning, noon and night. Usually with your family or friends
meeting = when 2 or more people come together to talk about something
museums = a place where you go to see art and valuable things
musicians perform = when people play music for you. For example, play the piano or guitar
no doubt = when you are very sure of something
noise = when something can be heard in your ears
paintings = pictures painted by artists
programs = a show on radio or television
public = when something is for everyone
regular = when something happens again and again
rent = when you pay someone so you can stay in a house or a building
restaurant = a place where you can buy and eat food and drink
screenings = when a film is shown
sculptures = beautiful shapes made by artists
snack = a small amount to eat or drink. Not with your meal
society = all of the people in a country
square = a large area in a town or city, usually in the town centre. People can gather there
studios = where television shows are made
theatre = where you go to see a show or a play
together = when there are 2 or more things at the same time
vibration = when you can feel something shaking
visitors = people who come to visit
welcomed = when someone is happy to see you
wine = a drink with alcohol