Stories from our public records: Moomba

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the Birdman Rally? Melbourne’s iconic community festival, Moomba, is here!

It's the longest running and largest community festival in Australia.

For 70 years, attendees have enjoyed Moomba traditions. Celebrations include a street parade, crowning of the Moomba Monarchs, Birdman Rally on the Yarra River, a carnival in Alexandra Gardens and nightly fireworks.

Moomba monarchs from previous years include sports stars, singers and television personalities.

So how has the festival been celebrated in the past?

Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) has digitised a collection of photographs that let us revisit the famous Moomba street parade, as it was seen in the 1960s.

The Lions 'Service to our Community' float from the 1966 Moomba Parade. (Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 8357 P1 Unit 7 Item 4/33).

Hundreds of people gathered to see a stream of decorated floats advertising businesses and community groups.

The Melbourne Harbour Trust float from the 1967 Moomba Parade, with workers dressed in their iconic red and white nautical-themed uniforms. (Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 8357 P1 Unit 7 Item 4/12).

From 1955 until the 1970s, the parade ran down Swanston Street in Melbourne. It featured marching bands, clowns and street performers among the many themed floats.

Crowds enjoy the 1967 Moomba Parade as it passes Flinders Street Station. (Public Record Office Victoria: VPRS 8357 P1 Unit 7 Item 4/40).

This float was the winner of the Governor's Trophy in 1967. The vibrant colours and intricate design were a signature of the Moomba street parade. Public Record Office Victoria image citation: VPRS 8357 P1 Unit 7 Item 4/18).

Photographers beware — a tiger is on the loose! An impressive and ferocious addition to the parade. (Public Record Office Victoria image citation: 8357 P1 Unit 17 Item 4/31).

You can enjoy more of the colour of Moomba – and many more wonders from the archives – in the blog section of the PROV website.

PROV is the archive of the State and local government in Victoria. They preserve records from the past and present day so evidence of government decisions remains on the public record and available for access.

Photographs taken from the Melbourne Harbour Trust photographic collection.

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PROV is part of the Department of Government Services.