Time Travellers in Essendon, Flemington and the Keilor Plains

Businesses - Moonee Ponds

Moonee Ponds Skating Rink

Moonee Ponds Skating Rink, circa 1888-1889.  Source: Grant Aldous, The Stopover That Stayed:

a history of Essendon, p 85. No original source provided.

Roller skating enjoyed a surge of popularity throughout Melbourne suburbs from the late 1880s until just before the Great War.  The two local rinks, Moonee Ponds and Kensington, were completely flash in the pan, opening in 1888, and having run their course by 1889. 

MOONEE PONDS SKATING RINK.
The public of Moonee Ponds will shortly have a long felt want supplied in the direction of a local skating rink. Mr. J.C.M. Cowan has been entrusted with the construction of an extensive building having a frontage to Puckle street of 60 feet by a depth of 120 feet. The structure will be built of corrugated iron at a cost including out offices &c., of £1000. The contractor Mr. Geo. Pain has agreed to do his utmost to have the rink open before the 24th of May. The building which is now in progress will no doubt when completed be one of the best patronized in the district.

MOONEE PONDS SKATING RINK. (1888, April 7). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 2. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66149190

It is announced that the Moonee Ponds Skating Rink will be opened on Monday evening  next, at 8 p.m , by the Mayor of the borough

REMINDERS. (1888, June 15). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article241428020

A man named Peters who received serious internal and external injuries by failing from a beam while embellishing the inside of the hall at the Moonee Ponds skating rink on Saturday last, was presented with £5 8s, raised by way of hire of skates, at the opening of the rink on Monday night.

THE ADVERTISER (1888, June 23). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 2. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66149537

A number of other roller skating rinks were operating at this time, and their activities were reported in the Melbourne Punch under the headline "Rinking".

RINKING (1888, July 26). Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900), p. 19. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174593266

Advertising (1888, July 7). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 3.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66149577

The Moonee Ponds Skating Rink continues to draw large audiences. Since its opening the floor has had very few 'quiet moments.' Last Tuesday, Mr. T. Hardy, the champion skater of England, gave an exhibition of his abilities. He is certainly one of the most wonderful skaters who has yet visited Australia. He turns somersaults in all manner of ways, vaults and seems able to do any acrobatic feat with a cleverness that is surprising. Next Tuesday evening the energetic proprietor has arranged a skate race between Mr. Child of Elizabeth street and Mr. Kirkman, for a trophy. The great feature in the Moonee Ponds Rink is that the company is select thus making the place an agreeable rendezvous both for old and young.

THE ADVERTISER (1888, July 7). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 2. Retrieved July 7, 2018, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66149576

MOONEE PONDS SKATING RINK.—This rink continues to receive a large amount of patronage of the most select description, and the excellence of the floor is agreed to by all. The first carnival will be held on the 16th of August, when handsome prizes will be given for the most original costume (lady); the most original costume (gentleman); best sustained character (lady) ; best sustained character (gentleman ; handsomest costume (lady) ; handsomest costume (gentleman). The rink will be re-decorated for the occasion, and only a limited number will be allowed on the floor. Floor tickets may be obtained at the rink.

RINKING (1888, July 26). Melbourne Punch (Vic. : 1855 - 1900), p. 19.  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174593266

The skating rinks operating at this time were listed in the Melbourne Punch on 26 July 1888:

—Jubilee Skating Rink. Carlton
—Royal Skating Rink. Albert Park
—Victoria Skating Rink. South Yarra
—Columbia Elite Skating Rink. St Kilda
—St James' Park Skating Rink. Hawthorn
—Armadale Skating Rink. Close station
—Exhibition Skating Rink. Brunswick-street
—Moonee Ponds Skating Rink. Close to station 

Admission in 1888 was 1 shilling.  Novelty events and competitions were a feature of skating rinks from the beginning, fancy dress carnivals being very popular.  The location of the Moonee Ponds Skating Rink was in Puckle Street on the north side, to the west of Pratt Street, where the Bonds outlet and travel shops are now, currently 98-100 Puckle St.   It was a iron structure and was advertised for removal in April 1901. According to the rates books weatherboard shops fronted the building and after it was removed 3 single brick shops were  built on the site. (Thank you Alex Bragiola for pinpointing the location.)

Unknown skating rink, circa 1900-1912.   Source: State Library of Victoria Collection,  H84.233/64 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/86068

Advertising (1889, June 29). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 3.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66150923

Bands were all part of the entertainment, though they probably consisted of a small number of instruments.

Roller skating carnival, circa 1900-1912 - unknown venue.  Note the small ensemble on a platform above the skaters.  Source:  State Library of Victoria Collection.  H84.233/61  http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/86068

The last newspaper advertisement or article  for the Moonee Ponds Skating Rink was on 29 June 1889.   Another couple of references to the skating rink come in 1900 when T W Tyzack advertises a poultry show there.   Whether the skating rink struggled on for some while longer without the benefit of advertising we don't know, and will have to wait for Time Travellers to report back.

Advertising (1889, June 29). North Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1873 - 1894), p. 3.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66150923

The photos of skating rinks from the State Library of Victoria Collection were a purchase from a connection of a well-known skating family the Beyers, who owned and operated a number of rinks on the east of Melbourne.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/family-tale-revealed-of-love-war-and-roller-skates-20171025-gz7xn1.html

See also the Kensington Skating Rink