One such ghost is of a child, invisible masses bumping into people and strange sounds coming from the carpark. These are some of the paranormal events that have been reported by people visiting the Queen Victoria Markets. One might find it odd that ghosts and spirits would be roaming this, the largest open air markets in the southern hemisphere. But once you peel back the layers of history that envelope this place you will find it is not as surprising as you would think.
Today the market is 135 years old, having been officially opened on 20th March 1878, although other markets had been operating on the site prior to this time. It covers an area of some seventeen acres, and is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. About fifty percent of the market is dedicated to the sale of fresh produce, and the rest of the space holds all manner of stalls and specialty goods. One could quite happily wander the rows of stands, stalls and tables for the best part of a day. The casual, yet bustling atmosphere is easy to take in, as stall holders vie in friendly competition with their neighbours, to get the sale from you.
However, the atmosphere was not always friendly, as at times there was an air of tension and sometimes controversy in the markets past.
During the 1960's two of the markets Italian workers were killed, with several others wounded and one missing. The murders came about when members of the 'Honoured Society' used extortion to cheat immigrant Italian growers out of thousands of dollars. Essentially, earnings through commisions on the wholesale of fresh produce was increased, with the societies members getting their cut. This criminal activity led to the removal of the wholesale section of the market to Footscray Road, away from the regular market goers, where it still remains to this day. During this period several other workers were shot and injured, and market worker Francesco De Masi disappeared, never to be seen again.
If we go back a little further to 1916, we find another murder of a stall holder; Joseph Lauricella. According to 'The Argus', 18 August :
'Lauricella was a fruit and vegetable dealer in a prosperous way of business at North Carlton. He was in the Victoria Market at about 4 o'clock in the morning, and accused was seen to fire an automatic pistol at him from behind. Several shots were fired, and two took effect in the head, one proving fatal.'
The man who fired the shots was chased down, captured and subsequently put on trial. The defence stated that the accused 'was a mental degenerate and was not responsible for his actions' that he was 'very dull and stupid' and 'He would not have the same judgment or reflection as an ordinary person' to which the judge, Mr Justice Hood, replied 'that very few criminals had, or there would be no crime committed'.
The jury deliberated for all of ten minutes and returned with a verdict of guilty. The accused was sentenced to death, and on the 18th of September 1916 Antonio Picone felt the extreme penalty of the law when he was hanged in Old Melbourne Gaol.
So far we have Three dead market workers, a disappearance and a few injuries. Not too bad for a market of 130 odd years. What if we could add another nine thousand bodies to that tally?
To be continued.....
Kanacki