Signs of Australia

17/04/2024

This is the sign that inspired the cover of my book! I designed the book myself, and the text on the cover is a direct reference to this absolute beauty of a sign in Warrnambool. The funny thing is, I spotted this sign in a fleeting moment while driving down Raglan Parade, because it’s no longer the main sign facing the road, but is actually now the back of the current sign and is only fully visible from inside the holiday park itself. So after seeing just a bit of it from a distance, I quickly turned around, snuck in and got the shot! It’s definitely one of the highlights of my 40,000km road trip around Australia in search of old signs for my book.

So I designed a typeface in a similar style, with the signature 3D effect that so many signs writers used (and still use) to make them ‘pop’ and grab the attention of passers by. Hopefully my book cover does the same!

Signs of Australia: vintage signs from the city to the outback is now available at https://grouseshop.au. 📦🦘

16/04/2024

I reckon Launceston is a real ghost sign hotspot! I’ve photographed dozens so far and hosted several Signs of Launceston tours for Open House, with hopefully more to come!

Faded signs are the ghosts of advertisers past.

Once carefully hand-painted on billboards or business walls they have become markers of our cultural history.

What vintage signs are still noticeable in your town offering an insight into its past?

Comment below and tune in or listen online to ABC Radio Northern Tasmania Breakfast with Kim Napier from 5:30am tomorrow: https://ab.co/49RdLsh

04/04/2024

Last November I hosted a series of Signs of Hobart walking tours as part of Open House Hobart. One of the lovely participants wrote this ripper piece on their experience of stepping back in tune via the city’s signs.

I love November because it’s Open House Hobart time! This year, Lil Sis and I had a whole weekend of events planned. And to kick things off, on Friday I went to the architectural drawing clas…

15/02/2024

I love the old Bradman’s sign overlooking Melbourne’s Bourke Street Mall. I also love that even though that business is long gone, people still buy bags here. 💼👜🧳

10/02/2024

🍦

03/02/2024

One of Melbourne’s most iconic neon signs. 🧶

•

Slade Knitwear was established by David and Elex Slade in the late 1940s to early 1950s, and operated out of a number of factory sites on Dover Street from the mid-1950s. Slade’s womens knitwear ranges became popular and drove the expansion of the Dover Street factories in subsequent decades. At the height of this expansion in 1970, Slade Knitwear erected a 31-metre-long neon sign on top of their factories, designed by Neon Electric Pty. Ltd. and based on the cursive script of the company’s letterhead branding. The neon sign is one of a number of distinctive heritage-listed neon signs in the Richmond area from the mid-20th century, including the Pelaco sign, the Nylex Plastics clocks, and the Skipping Girl Vinegar sign.

Source: www.pastport.com

29/01/2024

Napper’s of Elmore. If you have any info on this ghost sign, I’d love to know!

29/01/2024

Earlwood’s finest. 🛠️

29/01/2024

‘Would you like a cuppa?’
‘Don’t mind if I do!’
🫖 ☕️

29/01/2024

The Adelaide Motel in downtown Radelaide. Love that breeze block facade. 💙