Popping back for a quick visit, a wander down the jetty and a cuppa down the street, Kerry is inundated with memories and a whole lot of stories of the time she lived here in the eighties.
Kerry and her then husband Stefan moved to St Leonards in 1982 from Glenroy. Stef and his parents had been holidaying here for years. They stayed in the original family holiday house in Wattletree Avenue, then moved to the little old house on a one-acre block in Doongarra backing on to the golf course. There were so few neighbours then barely anyone would have noticed the loud music (Stef once worked for Split Enz and Rose Tattoo so knew loud), dancing and extremely bad singing of many a New Year’s Eve. (The block is now under construction as a multi townhouse development and that part of the old golf course is now a housing estate).
Living where they did was handy given they managed the golf course for the next six years. This meant greenkeeping and book-keeping, growing the membership, starting a junior golf club and everything in between. For a few years they also ran a herb nursery – House of Herbs – from their front garden.
As if that wasn’t enough, Kerry – a professional dancer – also established a dance school at the Reserve Hall. In one memorable year she choregraphed the St Leonards football team in a ballet performance for the community talent show. (We’d love to see photos if anyone has some).
The first of their two sons, Andrew was born while they lived in St Leonards. Kerry remembers taking him in the pusher down to the jetty most days, and if they were lucky, collecting a few scallops as they fell off the back of the overloaded trucks heading up the hill. She said there were a lot of professional fishing boats here then, and a fish shop.
Piecing together the layout of shops in the main street during the eighties proves something of a test for the memory but eventually we get it. Kerry recalls working at the Pizza/Fish and Chip Shop – which is where the current fish and chip shop is – and how its original owner was found murdered at Thirteenth Beach in an apparent Mafia related hit. In only slightly less dramatic circumstances – aside from the explosive fire which almost destroyed it – she later worked at the Pizza Takeaway and Restaurant which is where the Salty Cow and Two Daughters are now.
We’re sure there’s plenty more stories to tell, and some best not, but its only a quick visit, our coffees are finished and there’s a ferry to catch. Perhaps next time.
Humans in St Leonards 