Seek and ye shall find

Formed in 1962, The Seekers were the first Australian pop band to climb the charts in The United Kingdon and United States. One of Australia’s most successful musical exports, they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1995 and Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2015.

Hits generated by the signature sound of Athol Guy, Keith Potger, Judith Durham and Bruce Woodley are still recognised by millions of music lovers, from Georgy Girl, I’ll Never Find Another You and Morningtown Ride to the poignant The Carnival is Over.

Seekers Way was born from a decision by Port Phillip Council to rename Nelson Street in St Kilda to avoid confusion with another Nelson Street. 

After a council officer delved into the history of this seemingly unremarkable site, they discovered it held an extraordinary link to musical history. A house there, when owned by the late Judith Durham, was a base for the band to rehearse for recordings and tours. 

Seekers Way was submitted by Council to Geographic Names Victoria, which approved the change after verifying it met naming rules.

Bruce, Athol and Keith said: “The Seekers have been lucky enough in our long career to have received many awards, but we could not have imagined that we would be honoured in this unique fashion.

“It's a great way (pun intended) to cap off our 63rd anniversary since The Seekers formed in late 1962. Many thanks to the City of Port Phillip and the team working on this renaming process to create Seekers Way. We're delighted that it only runs one way: forward!”

Keith said the Seekers Way house held special memories for the band. ““It was where we met to thrash out contracts, to recognise each other’s birthdays and to generally keep The Seekers name ticking along,” he said.

To honour the band’s profound musical legacy, local First Nations singer Jess Hitchcock performed The Carnival Is Over before Port Phillip Councillor Serge Thomann handed a replica of the street sign to Bruce Woodley. Judith’s sister Beverley Sheehan also attended the event.

Mayor Alex Makin said Council is keen to recognise more performers with a Port Phillip connection. “We’re home to Victoria’s first Live Music Precinct and live music is part of the creative and economic DNA of our City,” he said.

“It’s a great way of honouring the past as we build on our live music heritage for the future.”

Councillor Makin said proposals to remember the significant contributions of late local musicians Renee Geyer and Spencer P. Jones are out for community consultation:

https://haveyoursay.portphillip.vic.gov.au/naming-our-roads-places-and-features

Geyer Lane is proposed for a laneway in St Kilda, opposite the Memo Music Hall, where Renee lived and regularly performed. Council has also commissioned a large mural of Renee Geyer by celebrated local artist Ling for the wall next to the lane in Carlilse Street.

Jonesy Lane has been suggested for Spencer P Jones, who performed with the Beasts of Bourbon, the Johnnies, played guitar with Renee Geyer and Paul Kelly, and released critically acclaimed solo albums under his own name. 

Crowded House member Paul Hester is remembered by Paul Hester Walk, established next to Elwood Canal in 2005, and the late Rowland S Howard’s contributions to local music were recognised in 2015 when a St Kilda laneway was named after him.