The most recent walking group event was held on Friday (16/4) and saw 9 members gather at the meeting point on Southern Cross station. Conditions on the day were cool and overcast making it ideal for a lovely walk around the Kensington precinct in general and the Newmarket Saleyards in particular. In attendance to catch the 9:40 train to Newmarket Station were Gaylene Duncan, Ray Duncan, Clive Gartner, Mel Gray, Pam Gray, Greg Jeffrey, Dawn Riddel, Jan Stewart and Jean Houston.
On our arrival at Newmarket station we proceeded across Racecourse road to the entry of what was apparently once 24 acres of livestock saleyard. Whilst much of the old site acreage is now replaced with medium density housing, this place is an extraordinary piece of Melbourne's history. Walking along the old bluestone livestock runs we passed heritage listed hardwood post and rail fencing along with many of the old holding pens, replete with their oversized metal fixings, and landmark buildings such as the administration block and the fabulously restored old clock tower. 
Clive and Dawn, apart from leading the group, regaled us at various stopping points with many interesting tidbits of information about the history of the saleyards and their operations, which was just fabulous to hear. Of interest as we proceeded were the restored auction race (where the auctioneers could move from pen to pen quickly conducting each sale), the drovers dog gates, the "back gate" (where animals were counted on leaving the saleyard and a charge levied by Melbourne City Council) and the general changes to the site since its final closure in 1987, including the Women's
Peace Park (apparently opened by Joan Kirner),.
On exiting the 'back gate' our walk proceeded down to and across the Maribyrnong River using the Anglis Stock Bridge, passing many other walkers and cyclists along the way. Views of the nearby city and the beautiful Maribyrnong were taken in by all as we crossed and then gathered at our next stop, the viewing platform for the Newell's Paddock Wetlands reserve. Here Clive (who is a member of the "Friends of Newell's Paddock") outlined the chequered history of this site alongside the river, apparently transformed from a barren rubbish strewn informal dumping site after the closure of the abattoirs and meatworks to the bird filled and vibrant wetlands park it is today.
Clive and Dawn, apart from leading the group, regaled us at various stopping points with many interesting tidbits of information about the history of the saleyards and their operations, which was just fabulous to hear. Of interest as we proceeded were the restored auction race (where the auctioneers could move from pen to pen quickly conducting each sale), the drovers dog gates, the "back gate" (where animals were counted on leaving the saleyard and a charge levied by Melbourne City Council) and the general changes to the site since its final closure in 1987, including the Women's
Peace Park (apparently opened by Joan Kirner),.On exiting the 'back gate' our walk proceeded down to and across the Maribyrnong River using the Anglis Stock Bridge, passing many other walkers and cyclists along the way. Views of the nearby city and the beautiful Maribyrnong were taken in by all as we crossed and then gathered at our next stop, the viewing platform for the Newell's Paddock Wetlands reserve. Here Clive (who is a member of the "Friends of Newell's Paddock") outlined the chequered history of this site alongside the river, apparently transformed from a barren rubbish strewn informal dumping site after the closure of the abattoirs and meatworks to the bird filled and vibrant wetlands park it is today.
From here the group proceeded along the river northward until our coffee stop at Cafe Boutique alonside the Edgewater marina. Under the inescapable deadline of our PTV bus timetable we quickly consumed and presented at the nearby bus stop for the trip back to Footscray Station and our train back to the city. A very pleasant walk covering about 5 kms our thanks go to Dawn and Clive for organising this outing. 