The
GEGP
This cache was
placed as a part of the Great
Eastlink Geocache Project. The
Project involved 25 Geocaching Teams from the Eastern Suburbs of
Melbourne who combined their efforts in July 2008 to create the
largest cache series in Australia in which each cache in the series
is individually owned by one team.
GEGP will also feature an event
"GEGP #0 - The Event"
The
Idea
After a very pleasant day out four wheel driving with some other
teams in Bunyip State Forest we were relaxing with a few drinks at
a BBQ at pprass's place when Rabbitto came up with this idea. In
only a few days it had snowballed into this great series. The
series is based around the Eastlink which includes the largest
sealed pedestrian/bicycle path in Melbourne the, Eastlink Trail.
Utilising some already existing paths this $26 million dollar
investment, when completed, will allow people to ride from
Melbourne to Carrum. We all hope to show a different aspect of the
journey along the Eastlink.
Ours is (BCR) Bridge,
Cameras and Religion .
The Bridge
This is one of six well-designed bridges across the Eastlink that
enables cyclists and walkers to cross this busy 38km of roadway. We
personally like the design of these structures, which are also lit
with different colours at night and add to the look of the
drive. This bridge is an entry point to the shared path on the
western side of the tollway.
The Cameras
These can be viewed from the bridge on the Southern side. If you
stand on the bridge you can count the number of cars paying to
travel on this somewhat controversial tollway and we bet you wished
you owned one of them.
Travelling south this is the fifth of thirteen toll points. There
are also three fixed speed cameras along the route, the one located
in the tunnel being mobile on tracks.
The
Religion
While driving along the Eastlink we briefly spotted the gold
statue on top of the spire and mistakenly thought it was a war
memorial so pulled off to have a look. We found the statue belonged
to the Melbourne Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints, which opened in June 2000. Prior to this the sole temple
was in Sydney. The Temple has a striking facade is of white Italian
marble beneath a single, landmark spire topped by the gold
statue.
The temples of the Latter-day Saints are not used for weekly
worship, but for special ceremonies. They contain a number of small
rooms rather than a large area for corporate worship. The Melbourne
Temple contains a room that is used for baptisms. It contains a
large bath or font resting on twelve oxen carved in stone and
representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Members of the Latter-day
Saints may be baptised on behalf of people who have died.
Two other rooms in the Temple are for practices in which 'eternal
families' are created. Children are 'sealed' to parents, and
spouses to each other. The Latter-day Saints believe that families
who proceed through these ordinances are bound together for
eternity. These rooms are known as 'Sealing Rooms'.
The Endowment Room is where teaching is given about the doctrines
of the Latter Day Saints. Lectures and videos are used to teach
people about the Latter Day Saints' conceptions of the purpose of
life on earth and the nature of life before and after mortal
existence. A Celestial Room symbolises something of heaven. It is
designed to represent the peace and harmony of living with God
eternally.
All the rooms in the Melbourne Temple are small, for no more than
thirty people at one time. Presumably the special ordinances
conducted in the temple are performed only in the company of a
small group of special Latter Day Saints friends and those who
officiate. After the dedication of the temple, only those who are
recommended by a local church leader are allowed into the temple.
All who enter will have to change into special white temple
clothing. The rooms in the temple are opulently furnished with
light coloured furniture, elaborate chandeliers, and high quality
carpets. The size and furnishings of the rooms speak of daily
living, but the opulence is meant to represent the 'eternal home in
God's kingdom’, reminding followers of the rewards of faithful
devotion. It is only a short walk from GZ to the front of this
temple and is worth the effort.
The
Cache.
The cache is a 1L sistema container painted black with the usual
swaps, log book and stash note, hopefully hidden well enough to not
be found by the many muggles using this path.
Your stealth will be required and appreciated.
WARNING
This cache CAN NOT be reached from the Freeway! It
can only be reached from the safety of the shared path.
Please
return the container exactly as you found it.