Kylie Minogue is one of Melbourne’s most famous exports. This hidden gem that celebrates the city was created around her Neighbours days.
In my university days, I was berated by a tutor for not knowing who Scott and Charlene from Neighbours were. Their wedding was a bigger television event than Charles and Di, she exclaimed. My mother would disagree but to blatantly ignore the role that launched Kylie Minogue into international stardom was a cardinal sin in her eyes.
You have to remember that despite the refined, British accent Kylie Minogue has now adopted, there was a time that she was the OG bogan on Ramsay Street. She had frizzy hair, was a mechanic (a gender-crushing role for a soap even then) and it was during her time on the show that she started singing. I won’t launch into a catalogue of her hits, but there is a song that often gets overlooked. ‘Got To Be Certain’ was recorded in a London studio in 1988 after the success of ‘I Should Be So Lucky.’
The single was recorded in London, but the music video was filmed in Australia. I simply must share the iconic locations Minogue plays tribute to here, because I am missing the streets of Melbourne as I’m sure every Melbournian is right now.
Here she is strolling down the Yarra River. I know it’s the ’80s and there’s meant to be less people, but I’m guessing they cleared the path for this one. I haven’t seen a coordinated red hat/blazer combination in some time but it really is iconic. The only thing missing is a rowing regatta or a passing jogger.
We now turn to Collins Street, specifically the top of what was then the T & G (now KPMG) building. If there was a venue for a rooftop works social, this is it. The skyline is gorgeous as it is tinted with dusk and twilight, and you can just make out St Paul’s Cathedral in the distance. Unless that’s a random triangle shaped building.
You can’t see it, but somewhere in them vicinity is the Regent Theatre, which hosted Priscilla Queen of The Desert: The Musical in 2017. The link is tenuous but Kylie’s song ‘Better the Devil You Know’ was added to the show set during that production.
My detective skills end here but this has to be Luna Park. The Twin Dragon is the better ride but you can’t harmonise and hold on for dear life at the same time. At the time of filming, the carousel ride hadn’t been oiled “since Kylie was born.”
Check out ‘Got To Be Certain’ and see if you recognise other Melbourne landmarks:
