Flinders Street Station, Melbourne.
Image: Rodney Start
Source: Museum Victoria
Question: How old is Flinders Street Station?
Answer: The original station was built on the site in 1854 and Flinders Street Station as we know it today was completed in 1910.
A worldwide competition for a new design was held in 1899 and 2 Victorian Railway Officials, JW Fawcett and HPC Ashworth entering under the syndicate name ‘Green Light’ were awarded the first prize of £500 in 1900 for their design for the new look Flinders Street Railway Station.
Construction began in 1905 and the clock tower that we know today along with the impressive main entrance have become Melbourne landmarks and anyone who has spent any time in Melbourne will undoubtedly have used the phrase ‘meet you under the clocks’ at some time or another!
Interestingly, HPC Ashworth did not live to see the completion of the building and this is the only known project they worked on together.
There was talk in the 1960’s and 1970’s to demolish the building and replace it with some considered more modern, but Victorian’s fought for their much loved station and icon, and as a result, Flinders Street Railway Station is now listed on the Victorian Heritage Act and the National Trust.