Get your candles and crystals ready for a car park séance! Few people realise that the Queen Victoria Market and adjacent car park was built over Melbourne’s oldest cemetery grounds. If your grave was being parked over all the time, would you want revenge? Park at your own risk!
Photo: Queen Victoria Market
Stepping into the opulently decorated Princess Theatre, look out for the well-dressed ghost of singer Frederick Federici. He tragically died of a heart attack on stage during a production of Faust. The theatre’s bistro is now named in his honour and a dress circle seat is traditionally left open for him on opening night. With such honours, why would any ghost leave?
Photo: State Library Victoria
No dead bodies or ghosts have been reported in this eerie laneway…yet. Let’s just say you wouldn’t want to be chased down this dead-end alley by a chain-saw wielding lunatic at night. But you might find some interesting street art and creepy vibes, so why not grab your torch and give it a go? Good luck!
Photo: Tripadvisor
The Atlantis entrance to this spooky car park could easily be mistaken for a portal to the netherworld. In fact it is a beautiful and rarely seen piece of architecture, possibly more suited to occult rituals than parked cars.
Photo: Melbourne University
From the outside, you would never suspect the gruesome events that took place inside the stately Exhibition Building during the 1919 Spanish Flu epidemic. Local hospitals were overrun, so the large space was used as a makeshift hospital. The bodies started to pile up so the basement was used as a temporary morgue. Perhaps some of those pour souls never left…
Photo: State Library Victoria Archives
I designed this Quest to highlight the major sights of our city making it perfect for visitors or kids discovering Melbourne for the first time.
Hidden Bakery Cafe
You'd never find this little bakery if you weren't looking for it! Serving artisan cakes and desserts, it is a sweet escape from city life.
Price: pastries from $6.50
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm 7 days
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Street Art Mural
This stunning piece of modern street art will take your breath away!
Price: Free
Opening Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
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Historic Arcade
One of Melbourne's most iconic locations, this one is not to be missed, especially for visitors to our marvellous city. Inside you'll find plenty of spots to shop, eat and photograph!
Price: Free entry
Opening Hours: 7am-7pm M-Th, 7am-8:30pm Fri, 8am-7pm Sat, 9am-7pm Sun
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Handmade Desserts
This one isn't new but has been very popular! Cosy and friendly, this is the perfect spot to indulge your sweet tooth.
Price: Desserts from $7.00
Opening hours: 12pm-7pm daily
]]>Handmade furniture and homewares with an emphasis on local designs, and the stories behind them. In fact many of their staff sell their wares in the shops. The furniture is made by Jeremy and Clare using clean, simple lines, and contrasting timbers.
372 Little Bourke St Melbourne (near Hardware Lane)
230 Brunswick St Fitzroy (corner of St David St)
This Brunswick based design store is filled with functional, beautiful and enduring goods. Alasdair and Eddy collaborate with and stock local makers and artists, writers and publishers. Their focus is small batch production, social and environmental values.
345 Lygon Street, Brunswick East, Victoria 3057
Melbourne made souvenirs, gifts and apparel with a unique touch. Since 2008, Lumbi has been making and selling it's souvenir, gift and apparel products through its own stores in Melbourne.
Shop 20, Centreway Arcade, 259 Collins Street, Melbourne
http://www.themelbourneshop.com.au
Clementine's is a provider of Victorian made Fine Food & Gifts and was established by Melanie Ashe to bring the goods of Victoria’s farm gates, markets and small country produce stores to us all.
7 Degraves Street Melbourne
Melbournalia specialises in useful goods and souvenirs made in Melbourne. Their range includes new and heritage brands producing Melbourne's best quality apparel, body care, accessories, art prints, books, paper goods, guides, greeting cards, postcards and handy things for the kitchen and garden.
Online only, although planning a retail venture apparently…
http://www.melbournalia.com.au
If you know of more awesome local shops, please let me know! Tag @cityquestaustralia on fb or insta.
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Laneways: The Paris End |
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Looking for a way to celebrate the end of Stage 4? Need a new fun activity to get your kids involved in? Want to feel the support of the community without having to leave home? Let's all dance the Nutbush together!
This is an experiment, but I thought, what a fun way to celebrate reaching the end of Stage 4 lockdown (hopefully!).
The Nutbush dance (if you don't already know) is a super simple and fun Australian line dance. Everyone can join in at the same time. I'll be hosting on Zoom, but you can also do it with just your friends & family. Lets dance together, apart!
This flash mob is a little different. People from all over will join in via Zoom and dance together while staying apart. Just imagine dancing to the same music with the same awesome moves as dozens of others across Melbourne. We'll dance our 2020 troubles away!
Where:
On Zoom. Once you register on the City Quest Facebook Page I will send the link and passcode of the Zoom call to you via Facebook Messenger.
When:
Zoom call starts at 11:50am, Sunday 13th Sept, Melbourne time. (AKA the end of Stage 4 restrictions, fingers crossed!). The dance starts right at 12:00pm!
The Dance:
The Nutbush. It doesn't get more Australian than this! If you've never done it before, it's super easy and fun. The whole family can learn it very quickly. Here's a video of the dance if you want to practice:
https://youtu.be/qHqzjQty7aY
The Music:
Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALAWxatDoD0
Please don't sue me Tina! This is a free event. :)
Who:
ANYONE! Invite your friends, family, neighbours, co-workers, out-of towners, overseas loved ones, everyone!
Options for How to Join:
1. Join the Official Flash Mob in the Zoom call by registering below. Share your dance video with the group as we all boogie together. You'll need to register for this option.
2. Host your own Zoom / Teams / Meet call and dance with your private Flash Mob group. No need to register, just share in the comments that you are joining!
3. Just turn on the music and dance by yourself, knowing that we're all joining you! No need to register for this one either.
You can dance at home, in your front garden, at the neighbourhood park, the supermarket, just about anywhere.
It's a great family activity. Teach the Nutbush dance to your kids - they'll have a blast practicing and joining in with the Flash Mob!
Let's dance to celebrate 6 weeks of Stage 4 being done, plus our awesome community, and optimism for the future.
They don't require any preparation or equipment and can be adjusted to suit a family with kids or be played as drinking games. I've played them with my students on camp, at home with my family, and with friends.
Play them at the dinner table, over wine, afternoon on the deck, in the car, whenever you like! They're all guaranteed to create fun if you get into it and have a go.
Game 1 - Celebrity Names
Once while on a school camp, I was with a group of Year 8 students. We were travelling to a location for an activity and they were bored. I introduced them to this game and WOW! They were occupied and laughing for over an hour.
How to play:
1. The first player says the full name of a famous celebrity or fictional character, i.e. Harry Potter.
2. The second player must say the name of another celebrity or character, whose first name starts with the same letter as the surname of the previously named person, i.e. Penelope Cruz. (P being the first letter of Harry Potter's surname)
3. If someone names a character with the same letters in their first and last name (i.e. Amy Adams) the order of players is reversed.
4. Continue around to all players until you are stumped!
To play competitively: If someone can't think of a name within 5 seconds, they are out. Continue playing until 1 player remains, and they win!
For a drinking game: Every player is randomly allocated the same number of letters from the alphabet (you can choose how many, depending on how much you want to drink). Then whenever a celebrity with that letter is named, they have to drink!
Game 2 - Fish Bowl (Hats)
I was introduced to this game by a friend of mine at a dinner party. I don't remember every having laughed so hard! Since then I've adapted it into a classroom activity; it's super versatile.
This game is best played with 2 teams of people competing against each other, but it's not essential.
How to Play:
- Set up: Each player writes 4-6 (depending on how many people are playing) names of famous people or characters on small slips of paper. Fold the slips in half and place them in a fish bowl, hat or other vessel.
- Round 1: Set the timer for 1 minute. The first player from Team 1 (or just the first player if you don't have teams) picks names out of the bowl, and tries to get their teammates to guess the name WITHOUT saying the name. They can say whatever they like to get them to guess. At the end of the minute, count how many names their team guessed, and tally the score. Repeat with a player from Team 2, and continue taking turns until ALL the slips of paper are guessed.
- Round 2: This round follows the same format at the first round, but this time, the player can only act out the names for their team to guess. They can't use words or sounds. This might seem hard, but all the names have been guessed already, so everyone knows the possibilities. Play until all the slips of paper are guessed again, while keeping score.
- Round 3: This time the teams should be very familiar with what names are in the hat, so the player only gets to say ONE WORD to get their teammates to guess the correct name. Choose your word wisely! Again, play until all slips of paper are guessed.
Who wins? Tally up the scores from rounds 1, 2 and 3 to see which team guessed the most names. That team wins!
To play without teams / non-competitively: Follow the same structure of play and take turns between players. All players can guess who is on the slip of paper, and no need to keep score.
For a drinking game: If anyone accidentally says the celebrity name during round 1, makes a sound during charades, says more than one word during round 3, or guesses for the other team by mistake, they drink.
Variations: You don't have to play with names. Change it up with movies, TV shows, book titles, or whatever category you like.
Game 3 - Celebrity Heads
This is a popular one which we've seen played in Inglorious Basterds (2009). It's been played around dinner tables long before that however. You can use a deck of cards, but I prefer simple slips of paper since I don't want to write on my cards.
Set up: Each player gets a card or piece of paper, and writes the name of a famous person or character on it without letting the other players see. Randomly give your card to another player, who sicks it to their head or pins it to their shirt in such a way that everyone can see it except them.
Play: The first player asks a Yes or No question about the famous person on their card, i.e. Am I Australia? If the answer is YES, they get to ask another question. If the answer is NO, the next player gets to take a turn guessing.
The first person to guess their card WINS.
Variation: You can use other categories besides famous names. Try fruit, vegetables, or animals with kids for example.
For a drinking game: If you ask a question and get a NO, you have to drink.
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I hope these games help you to be a little less bored during lockdown! Seriously though, they are good for a fun time whether you're stuck in quarantine or not. Have fun!
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It’s a brave new world, and lots of activities that were once face-to-face only have suddenly switched to online! That includes pub trivia, without the pub.
In case you’re wondering just HOW to play trivia online, here’s a simple guide. Other trivia games may do it differently, but this is how the Quest at Home quizzes are set up.
Join in LIVE:
Join in later:
Play against your friends & family remotely:
Experiment with what works best for you and your Internet connection. Both these options work regardless of whether you are watching live or later.
Some common questions:
Do I need to register for the Quest at Home Quiz?
No, you don’t have to register! Just join in on the live feed whenever you want, or watch the video once it has been posted to YouTube.
How do I keep score?
Just count up the points you earned after the answers are read out. Most questions will be worth 1 point, but if there are any half-marks available, I’ll let you know. If you’d like to post your score after the quiz is finished, go ahead! I’d love to know how you went.
Do I post the answers?
No, please don’t post the answers publicly. Not everyone comes up with the answers at the same time, so just write them on your paper at home. That way everyone has a chance to think in their own time.
Is it free?
Yes! Although if you think the quiz is worth a gold coin, you can choose to donate via the PayPal link in the video description. This is completely optional! You can also support me by subscribing to my channel and telling your friends about Quest at Home.
Are there prizes?
No, I don’t offer prizes. If you’d like to arrange prizes within your friend groups, feel free!
More Questions? Feel free to email me: cityquestaustralia [at] gmail.com
]]>Announcing our new Quest at Home online trivia quizzes! I'll bring you a weekly trivia game to enjoy during the Stage 3 Lockdown.
I love pub trivia, and during lockdown I've really missed going out and enjoying trivia evening with friends. I thought you might feel the same, so I'm bringing the trivia quiz to you, live and free on YouTube.
Join our Quiz: 8:00pm Saturdays AEST
Subscribe to the City Quest YouTube Channel and hit the bell icon to get a reminder.
If you're not sure how to play online trivia, read our handy guide:
How Do I Play Online Trivia Blog Article
Online trivia makes a perfect at-home date night, or excuse to catch up with friends on Zoom. You can even connect with your loved ones overseas and enjoy the quiz together.
This trivia isn't just about Melbourne. There will be picture clues, cryptic clues, general knowledge, and more! All you need to participate is your screen, a pen and paper. The only rule is: don't Google the answers!
Here's a sampler to give you an idea:
Compete against your friends online or challenge yourself to an evening of pub trivia from the safety of home.
See you Saturday night!
]]>Then the READER reads the completed text aloud – the result will be a silly,
crazy or just plain dumb story about Melbourne!
Mad Libs are suitable for all ages and any group size. It's an ideal family activity during a car ride or sitting in a cafe. WARNING! You might laugh so hard you snort milk out your nose.
If your grammar is a little rusty (like what's an Adjective!?), check out our tips on the last page.
Download our collection of Melbourne Mad-Libs here!
Share your fun by tagging us on social media @cityquestaustralia and we'll feature you in our feed!
]]>In fact, we are offering new surprise endings to our Quests! Besides dining experiences, you can now choose an iconic street gallery, the answers to fun riddles, or even uncover a secret message.
As COVID restrictions continue to ease, we will be adding more venue options. Make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter for updates.
Please stay safe while Questing! Observe social distancing, limit your group to the recommended number, and make sure the COVIDsafe app is running while you're out.
A Quest is a fantastic way for you to reconnect with your friends, get out of the house and support small business, so get out there and start your Quest today!
]]>3. If you include photos with your review, you gain an extra entry!
4. Entries close 31st March 2020. Reviews must be posted before midnight on 31/03/2020 to be eligible.
5. The winner's name will be announced on our Instagram & Facebook pages. The winner will be responsible for contacting us to receive their prize.
6. The winner may choose any restaurant in Melbourne & surrounds which offers gift vouchers, ideally online. Cash will not be provided in lieu of a voucher.
7. All entries will be put into a draw and the winner chosen at random. The contents of the reviews will not have any bearing on the outcome of the contest.
8. This contest is not associated with Instagram, Facebook, or any other business besides City Quest Australia.
Post your review to one or all of the sites below to enter. Good luck!
Valentine’s Day is about love and togetherness. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to enjoy each other’s company. Check out these five romantic spots in Melbourne CBD for a sweet and special Valentine’s Day.
Download your free map here, and remember to tag us on social media @cityquestaustralia to have your Melbourne adventures featured on our feed. Happy Valentines!
Here are 5 free spots for romance in Melbourne's CBD:
Download a free map to 5 Romantic Spots in Melbourne you can visit for FREE.
]]>Free map download: 5 Top Christmas Spots in Melbourne
Enjoy exploring the city this holiday season!
Remember to tag us @cityquestaustralia on Instagram to be featured in our feed!
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I've put together 25 of the wackiest street names in Melbourne (think Duckboard Place and Banana Alley) and created a fun word search puzzle for you to solve.
The best part is that once you've solved the puzzle, a secret message will be revealed between the street names! Use the secret message as a promocode for $5 off your City Quest purchase until Dec 31st 2019.
Anyone can solve this puzzle, so have a go. Enjoy!
Download your free Melbourne Street Name Word Search here.
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Olga was brave enough to venture out when the weather was less than ideal, but according to her, "Even on a cold and wet day exploring Melbourne's lane ways with City Quest can be fun!"
Thanks Olga, I'm glad you and your family had a good time!
Read Olga's full review on City Quest walking tours here:
]]>Just take your kids to a park, nature reserve or other outdoor area and give them a printed BINGO game board. Each time they spy one of the items on the board, have them mark the box with a cross. The first person to cross out a full line (straight or diagonal) and shout BINGO, wins the round.
This type of activity helps children to develop their observational skills, and ability to identify specific objects within an environment.
Download your free printable Nature & Urban BINGO board game here.
The free download includes 1 board each for Nature & Urban BINGO.
We have more game boards available in our shop for extended outdoor fun! Each set is only $5.95 and comes with 10 unique game boards. Browse here.
]]>I love trivia quizzes! I regularly attend pub trivia nights, and do the Herald Sun quiz with my husband at home. I wanted to make a special trivia quiz for you about Melbourne, my favourite city. Enjoy!
Download the Free Melbourne Trivia Quiz PDF here.
Check out my collection of Quest at Home Pub Trivia Quizzes! Each Quest Quiz is played over 4 rounds of 10 points, plus a half-time challenge, which gives you 60-90 minutes of quality trivia quiz time! It's the lockdown-friendly entertainment idea you've been looking for. Browse Quizzes here!
Melbourne Trivia Quiz
1. In which year did Melbourne host the Summer Olympics?
a. 1934
b. 1956
c. 1981
d. 1943
2. A Brighton Beach Bathing Box sold for how much in 2016?
a.$36k
b. $120k
c. $326k
d. $510k
3. Which person designed the Melbourne CBD grid?
a. Robert Hoddle
b. John Monash
c. Robert Burke
d. Charles La Trobe
4. According to the Crimes Act of 1958, in Melbourne you may not:
a. trade with a Pirate
b. drive a goat attached to a vehicle
c. change a lightbulb without a licensed electrician
d. wear pink pants after noon on Sunday
e. all of the above.
5. Birrarung Marr's name comes from the Wurundjeri and Boonerwrung peoples. Roughly translated, what does the name mean?
a. river of mists
b. high ground
c. wooden point of a reed spear
d. where it meets the Yarra River.
6. The first Australian Parliament was held in which building?
a. Victorian Parliament Building
b. Old Treasury Building
c. Melbourne Town Hall
d. Royal Exhibition Building
7. Which of the following was NOT a former name of Melbourne?
a. Batmania
b. Barebrass
c. Dutergalla
d. New Albion
8. On Sunday 5th April 1970, the Queen, Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne all attended which event in Melbourne?
a. VFL Game
b. The Ashes Cricket Tournament
c. Melbourne Grand Prix
d. The Melbourne Cup
9. It was illegal for pubs to be open after 6pm in Melbourne until which year?
a. 1946
b. 1956
c. 1966
d. 1976
10. The world’s first feature film, ‘The Story of the Kelly Gang’ was made in Melbourne in which year?
a. 1901
b. 1906
c. 1911
d. 1926
11. Which iconic Melbourne business opened first?
a. Hopetoun Tea Rooms
b. Windsor Hotel
c. The Mitre Tavern
d. City Hatters
12. What did Southern Cross Station used to be known as?
a. Spencer Street Station
b. Batman’s Hill Station
c. Docklands Station
d. Bourke Street Station.
If you like trivia, our Melbourne puzzle walks have lots of fun facts about the history, art and architecture. Go for a Quest through Legendary Laneways, Marvellous Melbourne or Grand Gardens with your friend and family to discover more about Melbourne.
WARNING! Answers below...
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1.b. 1956. This was the first summer Olympics held in Oceania. Read more here.
2.c. $326k. Pretty good for a one-room house with no plumbing or windows. See the property listing here.
3.a. Robert Hoddle. Hoddle's first map of Melbourne, completed on 25 March 1837, covered the area from Flinders Street to Lonsdale Street, and from Spencer Street to Spring Street. Read more here.
4.a. trade with a pirate. In fact all those answers are illegal, but under the Crimes Act of 1958, if you meet with a pirate in Melbourne, you may not trade with him or face up to 10 years prison. Read more here me hearties!
5.a. river of mists. All the other answers are the aboriginal names for other Melbourne areas, including Fitzroy, Collingwood and Gardiner’s Creek. Read more here.
6.d. Royal Exhibition Building. This was the site of the first Australian Federal Parliament in 1901. In 1927 Canberra was set up as a compromise location between Melbourne and Sydney. Read more here.
7.d. New Albion. In fact, New Albion was the name Arthur Phillip first gave to Sydney’s colony. Read more here.
8.a. VFL Game. The royal family watched the Richmond Tigers play the Fitzroy Lions in the season opener. Read more here.
9.c. 1966. This legislation gave rise to the ‘6 O’Clock Swill’ when workers would leave their jobs at 5, rush in to the crowded pubs, and drink as much as they could until 6pm. This created ‘an hour of drunken anarchy.’ Read more here.
10.b. 1906. Directed by Charles Tait and starring Frank Mills, this was the world’s first feature length film at over 1 hour long. Read more here.
11.c. The Mitre Tavern, which began operating as a pub in 1868. The Hopetoun Tea Rooms opened in 1891, the Windsor Hotel in 1883, and City Hatters in 1910. Read more about the Mitre Tavern’s history:
12.a. Spencer Street Station. As part of a redesign and technological upgrade, the station was renamed in 2005. Read more here.
More Fun Melbourne Stuff
Quest Quiz Pack - 4 rounds of trivia fun plus tie breakers and a half-time challenge. Perfect for virtual game nights and social distancing together.
Street Name Word Search - Find 25 of the wackiest Melbourne street names in this word search to reveal the hidden message. Download free now.
Photo Scavenger Hunt - This is great fun, and only requires friends, some enthusiasm, a list of photos to find, and a camera. Download free now.
Nature & Urban Bingo - Want a fun and engaging outdoor activity for the family? Try playing with this printable game board. Download free now.
Legendary Laneways Quest - Wander Melbourne's best lanes and arcades to discover unique street art and historical trivia. Check it out here.
Marvellous Melbourne Quest - Discover iconic architecture, art and culture while you find clues and solve the puzzle for a surprise. Check it out here.
Grand Gardens Quest - Collect clues and solve puzzles to reveal a surprise in the beautiful Melbourne garden precinct. Check it out here.
]]>Subscribers to Small Ideas get exclusive discounts to family friendly activities and attractions all over Australia. My baby is a little small for it yet, but I'm looking forward to taking advantage of membership in the near future.
I felt that my City Quest walking tours would fit in perfectly at Small Ideas, since the Quests are family friendly, are a perfect activity for school holidays, and help to get kids off screens and involved in the world around them.
In fact, children can learn a lot from going on a Quest. Skills like problem solving, navigation, resilience and following instructions are all essential for success in today's world. But you don't have to be in a classroom to learn them. A couple of hours wandering Melbourne's Gardens solving puzzles is a great way to develop those abilities.
The Grand Gardens Quest is ideal for families with younger children as the puzzle is simpler to complete. Choose the Sweet Treats dining option for a special surprise at the end!
Also, stay tuned for a new Quest coming out for even younger Questers - Fitzroy Fairies! Subscribe to our mailing list below to get updates.
Definitely check out Small Ideas if you are looking for discounts on family activities, and visit our listing while you're there!
Cheers,
Jamie
Download the City Quest Melbourne Photo Scavenger Hunt
Melbourne is a perfect setting for a fun day out taking photos with friends, because it has such a variety of backdrops and odd spots to photograph, but the city centre is also small enough that you can cover a lot of ground in just an hour or two. Street art filled laneways, Chinatown, the waterfront, the theatre district, shopping arcades, Parliament, and gardens are all within reach.
To go on your free photo scavenger hunt, start by downloading the City Quest list of photos. Then organise your friends into teams. Every team should have a copy of the list and a camera or smartphone. Agree on a meeting place and time (give yourself at least an hour), then let yourselves loose on the city!
As you go through the list of photos, try to be creative. Have fun interpreting the list, get goofy with your poses, and cover as much ground as possible to get a variety of background locations. As many team members as possible should be in each photo.
When time is up, meet at your arranged location (we suggest a rooftop bar such as Campari House or a waterfront beer garden like The Arbory. Then review and share your photos. Hilarity will ensue, and popular vote will decide which team was the most creative and funny with the most photos. Consider buying everyone in the winning team a beer or coffee.
If you want to get really organised, assign each photo a point value, then award points for each photo (for example 3 points out of 5 for a pretty good photo). Add up the points at the end to decide who the winners are!
However you decide to do it, a Melbourne photo scavenger hunt is a perfect option for when you want to have fun with your friends or family on a budget.
Download the City Quest Melbourne Photo Scavenger Hunt
Share your experiences exploring Melbourne on Instagram and Facebook , and tag us @cityquestaustralia to be featured on our feed.
Happy Questing!
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