Footpath of Fame

You’ll probably be aware that located in front of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, in the heart of Hollywood, is a footpath bearing the handprints and signatures of the some of cinema's biggest stars, dating all the way back to 1920s. What you’re probably unaware of, is that Sydney had a crack at a similar celebrity venture, back in 1983. Dubbed, ‘the footpath of fame’, it features a collection of cement slabs inscribed with the marks of luminaries from the worlds of entertainment, sport, politics, and even make-believe. Not that many of them are likely to be on the tip of your tongue – the likes of Broken Hill artist Pro Hart, deceased racehorse Gunsynd, F1 racer Jack Barbham, and Aussie Olympian Betty Cuthbert among them – although Sesame Street’s Big Bird and Santa Clause (who, as it turns out, has suspiciously small feet) are more familiar.  Unlike it’s LA counterpart, this starry street isn’t crawling with tourists. Located behind the Pier One Hotel in the Rocks, by its outside dining terrace, it largely goes unnoticed today.