More vintage Melbourne

A sequel to Old Vintage Melbourne has been released, this time a compilation of photographs taken between 1960 and 1990.

Many of the photographs focus on the CBD and were collected from the archive by lawyer Chris Macheras.

The first book, published in October 2021, arose out an Instagram account.

Mr Macheras began posting the pics on social media to beat the pandemic blues and the project has grown from there.

According to publishers Scribe Publications the book “provides a fascinating glimpse of a time that is familiar and yet different, when significant changes started to affect the city and its suburbs”.

“As historic city buildings were demolished and streetscapes altered, Melbourne embraced modernity. The skyline grew, and so did suburban shopping centres.”

The social media page attracted almost 80,000 followers within a year. 

“It was just a little project that I started just out of interest, there was no real intention behind it for it to become what it’s become,” Mr Macheras told CBD News, but added he was spurred on by his followers to publish his work in print. 

What began as a project to escape the monotony of lockdown has now blossomed into a sequel. 

“This sequel is my love letter to Melburnians who grew up here throughout the decades depicted in the book; 1960-1990,” Mr Macheras said.

“While there is a focus on Central Melbourne, the book goes out to the suburbs, and I think it captures elements of our culture that shaped our city today.”

“You will find images that provide an insight into things like food and wine culture, fashion, sport, immigration, architecture and more.” 

“There was a huge appetite from my Instagram followers. I recognised that they were always engaging with photos from these decades because they were there. It was the fact these photos trigger a nostalgia that is heart-warming and endearing.” •

Old Vintage Melbourne, 1960-1990, Chris Macheras, Scribe Publications, 2022. •