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Little Audrey skips again!

After a near decade in the dark, Melbourne’s famous Skipping Girl Vinegar sign is lit once more.

Following a successful appeal by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria), the famous Skipping Girl Vinegar neon sign in Abbotsford is once again illuminated.

The Skipping Girl sign was erected for Skipping Girl Vinegar in 1936. Her design was created by Jim Minogue in 1915, who won a competition to create a symbol for vinegar manufacturers Nycander & Co. Pty Ltd. He based his design on his eight-year old sister, Kitty (who later became a nun). When the factory was demolished in 1968 the sign was removed, but following a public outcry, a replica was created in 1970 and placed on the roof of the Crusader Plate factory in Abbotsford.

The sign, which is one of the most loved and recognised icons of Melbourne, has again been sitting in the dark since 2001, after it’s owners decided to pull the plug on funding and maintenance.

As reported on The Grapevine back in 2008, the National Trust was looking for $60,000 to have the sign restored.

Following generous donations from nostalgic Melbournians, the Heriage Council of Victoria, the Melbourne Heritage Restoration Fund and an electricity company, the sign was taken down in March for restoration at Delta Neon’s factory in Heidelberg.

Last Wednesday 10 June, the restored sign was illuminated for the first time.

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the big launch, but I had a good look this evening and it was great to see Little Audrey skipping again.

As an added bonus, “green electricity” is being supplied by an electricity company to keep her illuminated and minimise any negative environmental effects arising from her operation.

More information:

The Skipping Girl sign shines every night at 651-653 Victoria Street, Abbotsford.

The sponsoring electricity company has provided a website here, and you can also see pictures of the restoration at Delta Neon by Mimmo Cozzolino and the Heritage Council on Flickr.

   

Comments

4 responses to “Little Audrey skips again!”

On 14 June 2009, isobel wrote: Hyperlink chain icon

She has come up very well, so clear and bright. So pleased many people wanted her restored to her former glory. They will all be delighted with the result. Once again, aninformative “blog”

On 20 June 2009, mr analog wrote: Hyperlink chain icon

really like that shot that includes the traffic , good read on the history too : )

On 26 June 2009, alex wrote: Hyperlink chain icon

what happened and where was the copper tone girl and her dog?

On 16 October 2012, carolyn cook wrote: Hyperlink chain icon

fond childhood memories
skipping girl vinigar & copertone girl

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