Essence of refuge away from home in Melbourne
By Rama Gaind COVID-19 has changed the
world as we knew it more than a year ago. Just as we were starting to feel reenergised, our complacency gets shattered. Lockdown and restrictions are introduced. Radical changes come at times of upheaval. Travel plans get cancelled or postponed, again. This pandemic is also affecting the ever-evolving hospitality and property markets, some with new ownerships. One such hotel – which has had two new owners since my last visit – has been the Tune Hotel Melbourne. It became Accor Ibis Melbourne Swanston Street Hotel, and today it’s called Essence Hotel Carlton, but the address is still the same: 609 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria. If you are a frequent traveller, then it’s vital that you stay at hotels where the safety and comfort you find at home are also easily attainable in the temporary abode. There is a vast array of choices on offer throughout Australia – from budget to upmarket, and some in-between – that are sure to meet required needs. The benefits of staying at this hotel nicely fit the bill for affordability. All you have to do is unwind, rejuvenate and pick-up on the special package offers with this one city escape. The rates are competitive and comfort is the name-game for the budget-conscious.
Conveniently located on the fringe of Melbourne CBD, this cosy, modern accommodation is positioned in the heart of the education precinct. Central location If you seek to indulge in some retail therapy, then head down to Collins Street for its designer stores in heritage buildings, five-star hotels, private clubs and exclusive jewellers. It boasts its very own 'Paris End' and is often referred to as 'the top end of town'. Head in this direction and you get to shop at the flagship stores of Chanel, Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Cartier, Ermenegildo Zegna, Christian Louboutin, Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Hermes, Dior, Tiffany & Co and Hugo Boss. For more relaxed shopping, stroll west to bustling retail centres like Australia on Collins. For something out of the mainstream, go to Little Collins and Howey Place for haute couture and hip culture
and clothes by Melbourne's most interesting designers. If you are looking for menswear bargains, then head to the stretch between Swanston and Russell Streets. Feel like more shopping? Then take a stroll to the Queen Victoria Market or the Melbourne Central Shopping Centre where you will find a variety of souvenirs, fashion trends and goodies to choose from. If you prefer something a bit more adventurous and energetic, visit the South Wharf to get a unique insight into Melbourne's rich maritime history along with world-class shopping and dining. Walk along the promenade to see why some of Melbourne's best-loved restaurateurs and publicans call it ‘our heritage cargo sheds home’. Take a walk to the Melbourne Museum, the Royal Exhibition Building and the famous Lygon Street Italian precinct. An ideal base to explore Melbourne,
YOU HAVE FAVOUR
Pastor Suresh Dass Joseph josephdass@optusnet.com.au
Dear reader, it is with much joy we bring to you the word of God. Today I want to talk to you about God kind of favour. With your qualifications, resources, money, the people you know will take you so far in life. But when God’s favour is on your life, then things will happen for
Hustle-and-bustle at Flinders Street Station, Melbourne. Photo: Rama Gaind
Views of Melbourne city from Collins Street. Photo: Rama Gaind
you that you couldn’t make happen, the right people will find you, doors will open which you could not open, you will go to places where you could not on your own. When your life is one where you honour God, are faithful and committed, you are opening the door for God to show His favour in your life. In the scriptures (Genesis 6), we read that Noah found favour with God by consistently walking with God and following His will. God’s favour led Noah and his family to be saved from the floods that were coming on the earth. When you lead your life, doing your best to please, honour, and obey God, then you are going to accomplish what you could not on your own. Defeat giants which
4 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, August, 2021
are much bigger. Fight off worry, fear, and depression. Overcome obstacles that looked so impossible. Again, in the bible (Genesis 39), we read how Joseph was thrown in the pit by his brothers and then sold into slavery to a group of travellers on their way to Egypt. In Egypt, he was falsely accused and put in prison. Against all the misfortune and disappointments, Joseph had favour in everything that he did. For thirteen years, he was overlooked, mistreated, and kept in the background. But he didn’t get bitter. One night the king of Egypt had a dream that no one could interpret. Somebody told the king, that a prisoner named Joseph could interpret his dream, Joseph was immediately
the hotel gives easy access to many nearby eateries. Essence is centrally located: the free tram zone is a five-minute walk from the hotel, which gives you ‘fare-free’ access to places such as Flinders Street Station, Federation Square, Docklands, Etihad Stadium and Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The Melbourne Central Train Station and QV Melbourne are 0.8km away; Crown Entertainment Complex is 2.9km; 5.1km away from Albert Park; ‘Little Italy’ or Lygon Street is 0.2km away. Even better, the great outdoors beckon as you head down to Melbourne's Yarra River! If George Bernard Shaw is to be believed, then “The great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life”. However, that may not always be the case as how that sanctuary is perceived is up to individual interpretation.
brought before him. About an hour later, from being a prisoner all these years, Joseph was now second in command of Egypt. It is interesting to note that Joseph did not come from one of the influential families in Egypt. He didn’t know anybody of importance, didn’t have the money or qualifications. Yet when the time came for God’s favour for promotion, no one could stop him. Years later, his brothers came to Egypt in search of food. There was a severe famine in their country, and they went to the palace to buy food. Now they stood before Joseph, who was the Prime Minister. In the past, they did their best to keep him in the pit. But God knows how to promote, endorse, qualify, increase you when the time comes. Here are 3 things we can learn from God’s
Intersections of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne. Photo: Rama Gaind
favour on Joseph’s life. 1) Other people may have more education, talent, and experience, but God’s favour can cause you to go places where you could not on your own. Work in positions for which you did not have the qualifications and experience, overcome mountains that were too large for you. After being sold as a slave, then sent to prison, it should have been the end of Joseph. But when God has selected you and placed His favour on you, then no matter who has left you, neglected you, rejected you, God’s favour outweighs all opposition. 2) You may have been hidden all this time, but God will show you favour in such a way that people will take notice. They are going to see that God is on your side. As you walk uprightly with the Lord, in obedience and doing your
best to please Him, then do not get discouraged. Like Joseph, you may feel like you are hidden, bypassed, unknown, in the pit, but God’s favour can move you from that pit to your place of prominence. 3) God’s favour places you at the right place at the right time. He will send divine connections. People will go out of their way to promote you. Joseph could not make it happen on his own. But God’s favour on his life got him out of prison, promoted, and placed in the seat of great authority. I am encouraging you today to go about declaring the favour of God upon your life. Declare that “God’s blessings are chasing me down.” “No good thing will God hold back from me as I walk uprightly.” “A new favour is waiting for me.” God bless you. Ps Joseph Dass
