Daily Photo – Fed Square & The Big Laugh Out
On one of my wanders through Melbourne, I came across Federation Square on my way to a place named the Transport Hotel – Public Bar. I was meeting my brother-in-law, who had promised me a beer before catching a train across the road at Flinders Street Station, and I seemed to recall being told it was just across the square near the bridge. Casting my eyes across the square, I noticed it was filled with deckchairs neatly arranged in rows and occupied by people, which I thought was very lovely, presumably so everyone could sit and enjoy the sunshine free of charge. It was only when I noticed that every chair was facing a stage that I realised something was going on. A performer was entertaining the crowd at an event called ‘The (Very) Big Laugh Out’, part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and I’d happily strolled straight into the middle of it. I apologised to those around me, spied a sign saying ‘Transport Hotel – Public Bar’, and headed directly for it.
Entering the Public Bar, the place was full of a lively crowd who were either incredibly well co-ordinated when dressing that morning, or a sporting event was on. Pushing my way through the mass of people, I noticed on one of the many TV screens that the Richmond Tigers were playing the Port Adelaide Power that afternoon in the AFL at the nearby Melbourne Cricket Ground (an imposing colosseum of a sporting ground if ever there was one) and, judging by the colours and paraphernalia, this was a Richmond crowd. The chatter seemed to be that although the Tigers had had a tough start to the season, and were yet to win a game, they had a good chance against ‘The Power’ that afternoon. Not that all of this really meant anything much to me!
Later that evening, I read in passing that Port Adelaide defeated Richmond 90 to 48. So it really wasn’t even close. Meanwhile ‘The (Very) Big Laugh Out 2026 was deemed an overwhelming success. Maybe all those Tigers supporters should have stayed in the square!
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