Central Business District in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia — Oceania

Bringing home the Shopping

— Queen Victoria Market —

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026

1. Bringing home the Shopping Marker

Inscription.
Bringing home the Shopping

Since it first opened, the Queen Victoria Market, has offered budget-conscious shoppers the best values in all departments. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the Market, more that ever before, provided the perfect venue for cost-saving shopping. The Superintendent of markets, Mr Minn, sought the advice of the Housewives Association, a strong voice at that time on women's issues, on how to encourage more women to shop at the market.

Delivery was seen to be a problem for many women struggling to get their shopping home by public transport or on foot. Most Market shoppers in those days walked or trammed to the Market. Very few, particularly during the depression, could afford a car.

Some enterprising young boys offered a solution with their hand-made delivery carts. They waited at the Market gates, offering to carry " the purchases of the tired housewife home for a few pence.". One lad, The Argus wrote, has embellished his truck with a battered old New South Wales motor registration plate."

1930s Vegetable Prices

On Saturday 26 April 1930, growers cleared full loads at the

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following prices: artichokes, two shillings and sixpence to three shillings and sixpence a half case; beetroot, one shilling to one shilling and sixpence a dozen bundles; cabbages, two shillings to five shillings a dozen; carrots, one shilling to one shillings and sixpence for a dozen bunches; cauliflowers, eight shillings to ten shillings a dozen; horseradish, four pence to eight pence a bundle; lettuce; one shillings and sixpence to three shillings a dozen; green onions, sixpence to one shilling for a dozen bunches; pumpkins, four shillings to ten shillings a dozen; spinach, one shilling to one shilling and sixpence for a dozen bunches and vegetable-marrows, two shillings to four shillings a dozen

(Report, The Argus, 28 April 1930.)

Erected by Queen Victoria Market.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1930.

Location. 37° 48.371′ S, 144° 57.433′ E. Marker is in Melbourne, Victoria. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of Victoria Street (Victoria Route 32) and Cobden Street on Victoria Street. Touch for map.

Bringing home the Shopping Marker near the Northern Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Dean Barton-Ancliffe, July 16, 2026

2. Bringing home the Shopping Marker near the Northern Entrance

Marker is at or near this postal address: 127 Victoria Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Oceania,

in Australasia,

in the Pacific Ocean,

in South Pacific,

on the Pacific Rim,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Market Football (here, next to this marker); Market Opening - Floor Plaque (here, next to this marker); Saving the Market (here, next to this marker); Wholesale to Retail (here, next to this marker); The Market Gates (a few steps from this marker); Tombstone Territory / The People Prevail (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Victoria Market Timeline (within shouting distance of this marker); Victoria Street Shops / Instant and Delicious (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melbourne.

Also see . . . What things used to cost. State Library Victoria

Conversions

1 lb = 0.45 kg

1 quart = 946mL

12 pence(d) = 1 shilling (s)

20 shillings
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= 1 pound (£)

1 pound (£) = $A2.00

Conversion of £ s.d. to dollars and cents (from Decimal currency, 1965, ABS)

Pence Whole cents

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(Submitted on August 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. This page has been viewed 16 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2026, by Dean Barton-Ancliffe of Rowville, Victoria. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.