Some memorial benches come with million-dollar views, and they're totally free.
IHAVE never met Jim Malane. And I never will. He's not here any more. But I'm grateful to him. He's reserved me one of the best seats in Melbourne. It's always there. And every time I sit on it I give him a nod.
The seat is perched by Port Phillip Bay on a Beach Road clifftop, just past Black Rock. Jim would have known the million-dollar view was priceless. I do too.
Beach Road is one of the city's busiest blacktops. At this time of year, it's a magnet for people desperate to escape the summer heat. They park their cars in droves, slam their doors and stream down to the water's edge. Any moment, a press photographer will be along to capture a shot of young girls beating the heat. Lots of teeth and little swimsuits. ''Phew! What a scorcher'' will scream the seasonal headline.
The ribbon of asphalt that winds its way around the bay is also home to a legion of Lycra lunatics who think it's some kind of pathway to defeat age and physical decay. No one seems to have told them that it's a dead-end eventually. They pedal their mega-expensive bikes clad in mega-tight Lycra, battling car doors on the left, car bores on the right. You can't miss them - head to toe in bank branding.
The swimmers, the harried mums and dads wrangling children down pathways to the beach, the kite surfers staggering with their toys and ambition to reach Tasmania without a ferry are busy.
In the race to fight mortality and have fun, the bike riders and the beachgoers usually charge past the memorial bench seats. They dot bayside pathways, these useful monuments, each unique, a sacred spot for the families who put them there. Each one a gentle reminder of a life.
They are tributes to men, women and children whose time of loving the bay has now ended. But their spirit endures as they beckon us to sit and see the world as they once did. When you take the time to sit down, it's a moment of stillness as Beach Road charges by, a frenzied backdrop.
Each seat bears a small plaque with, variously, a loved one's name, birth, death and a brief message or memory.
At Greenpoint, Brighton, the view is the stuff of postcards and calendars. Step right up and see the sunset over the city. In the foreground sit the famed bathing boxes, a favourite of tourists. Further away is the Eureka Tower, seemingly ablaze at its sun-kissed peak. At this spot, there is a wooden bench with a sad story from a place of terrible beauty.
''In memory of Tony Tighe.
Born in 1948.
Who played in this park as a boy, lived with an adventurous spirit. Died on Mt Everest 1972.
Lovingly remembered by family and friends.''
It's one of many in a chain of bayside seats offered by the bereaved. It is a touching and stark reminder of passing spirits.
And so back to Jim Malane. It's his seat. I am a grateful visitor. I read his dedication every time I sit there, which is often. For me, it's a spot to sit and think as I gaze out over the bay to the You Yangs, and everything in between.
It's a buffer from life which seems to grow ever more frantic. Just ask the cyclists gunning for immortality and the beachgoers battling for a car park. Next time you head down that way, find one the benches and have a sit. Read the plaque. It just might stop you in your tracks.
''In loving memory of Jim Malane.
Relax, rest easy and enjoy the wonderful view.
Your loving family.''
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What are the memorial benches along Melbourne’s Beach Road and why do locals value them?
The memorial benches are small wooden seats placed along Port Phillip Bay on Beach Road and other bayside pathways. Each bears a plaque with a loved one’s name, dates and a short message. Locals value them for their ‘million‑dollar’ views, quiet moments of reflection and because they act as a gentle reminder of lives once lived amid the bustle of cyclists, beachgoers and kite surfers.
Where can I find standout bayside memorial benches with great views in Melbourne?
Notable spots mentioned include the clifftop stretch of Beach Road just past Black Rock and Greenpoint in Brighton. From Greenpoint you can see the famed bathing boxes in the foreground and the Eureka Tower on the horizon, with even the You Yangs visible from some seats.
Who are some people commemorated on these benches and what stories do they tell?
The article highlights a few personal dedications, such as Jim Malane — whose bench offers a favourite seat overlooking the bay — and Tony Tighe, noted as born in 1948, who ‘died on Mt Everest 1972’ and is lovingly remembered on a bench at Greenpoint. The plaques tell brief, sometimes poignant stories of lives connected to the bay.
How can visiting a bayside memorial bench help everyday investors?
The benches provide a simple, free place to sit, slow down and think. For everyday investors, that stillness can help clear the head, reduce impulsive reactions to market noise and encourage a longer‑term perspective — the article describes the seats as a ‘buffer from life’ and a spot ‘to sit and think’ amid a frenzied backdrop.
Are the memorial benches generally accessible during busy summer days?
Yes. Beach Road is described as one of the city’s busiest stretches in summer, full of swimmers, families and cyclists, but the benches remain dotted along the pathways. They can be easy to miss if you’re rushing, yet they’re usually available for anyone who pauses to use them.
What should I do when I find a memorial bench on the bayside?
Take a seat, read the plaque and allow yourself a few minutes of quiet observation. The article suggests that reading the dedication and enjoying the view can ‘stop you in your tracks’ and offer a restorative break from a hectic day — a small habit that can benefit both wellbeing and decision‑making.
Do the benches offer more than just a view — what emotional value do they hold?
Yes. Each bench is a personal tribute that keeps a loved one’s spirit present in a place they loved. They serve as touching, sometimes stark reminders of passing lives and invite passersby to reflect, making them emotionally resonant landmarks as well as practical seats.
Can making time for stillness, like sitting on a bayside bench, be part of a mindful investing routine?
Absolutely. The article frames these benches as moments of stillness amid frantic activity. Regularly taking short breaks to reflect and regain perspective — by sitting quietly and looking out over the bay, for example — can be a simple, practical component of a mindful approach to investing and everyday decision‑making.
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