Amphlett Lane is ready to rock


Melbourne music lovers can now take a walk down Amphlett Lane to recognise the outstanding contribution the late Divinyls singer Chrissy Amphlett made to Australian music.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle today joined Patricia Amphlett, Charley Drayton and members of Team Chrissy to officially open the lane and hand over the Amphlett Lane street sign.

The Lord Mayor said Chrissy Amphlett was an Australian music icon whose legacy should be preserved.

“Chrissy Amphlett holds a special place in the hearts of Melburnians. Being able to recognise Chrissy like this, working closely with her friends and family, is a great result for everyone,” said the Lord Mayor.

Amphlett Lane, off Little Bourke Street between Spring and Exhibition streets, features a mural by renowned Tasmanian artist Peter Gouldthorpe depicting the most important aspects of Chrissy’s life, including her beloved dogs, as well as a memorial plaque at the entrance to the laneway.

Creating Amphlett Lane is the result of a collaboration between the City of Melbourne and Team Chrissy: author, editor and astrologer Jessica Adams, author and editor Jenny Valentish, Chrissy’s husband, Cold Chisel Drummer Charley Drayton, her literary agent Fran Moore, and her cousin, Patricia ‘Little Pattie’ Amphlett.

Patricia Amphlett said Chrissy’s friends and family are proud that Chrissy Amphlett will be remembered in a way that was so befitting. 

“Oh behalf of the family, I would like to say that we are very proud and pleased that Chrissy is being remembered and honoured in such a way.  I know that her many fans around the world will feel the same,” she said.

The lane adjoins both the site of the Palace Theatre, where the Divinyls played, and the Princess Theatre where Chrissy performed as Judy Garland in The Boy From Oz.

Councillor Rohan Leppert, Chair of Council’s Arts and Culture portfolio, said a great deal of hard work and passion had gone into making Amphlett Lane a reality.

“The City of Melbourne is dedicated to making sure Melbourne’s musical story is heard. Today marks a proud moment for our city, for Melbourne’s passionate music lovers and for family and friends of Chrissy Amphlett,” said Cr Leppert.

In July 2013, Patricia Amphlett and Charley Drayton presented a ‘Chrissy Amphlett Laneway’ petition to Cr Leppert. The petition included 6386 signatures including prominent Melburnians and music industry representatives Molly Meldrum, Suze De Marchi, Chrissy’s friend Rick Grossman and actor Noah Taylor.

Amphlett Lane joins AC/DC Lane as part of the Love your Laneways initiative.  The Love Your Laneway program seeks to improve the amenity and presentation of Melbourne’s celebrated laneways. 

For more information visit City of Melbourne