Randwick Local Legends

In Episode 10, Sally shares her memories of Clovelly and Coogee in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s:  learning to swim with Tom Caddy, Christmas Mardi Gras at Coogee Oval, Randwick Girls High, and working at Selina's in the Coogee Bay Hotel.

In Episode 9, Vilma shares her memories of Coogee including: the early days growing up in the 1930s and 1940s, the sirens sounding when the Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbour and the barbwire on Coogee beach in world war two, dancing on the Today show, attending the early version of NIDA and the wonderful picture theatres that once littered the Randwick area.

In Episode 8 Michael shares a knowledge of Coogee that only a local would know. From swimming lessons at the Aquarium pool, working out at Giles Gym, to the Coogee floods in the 1960s and surfing at the time of longboards and before wetsuits.

In episode 7, Margot Phillips talks about living in the “delightful village “of Coogee from 1957 until now. She shares her passion for the history and architecture of many of Coogee’s houses and business including the Federation facades on Coogee Bay Road and also the Californian bungalows scattered around the area. Margot also recants her memories of teaching at Coogee Public School in the early 1960s and 1970s as well as reflects on the changes she has seen in Coogee over time.

In Episode 6, Margaret talks about her life in Maroubra, Clovelly and Randwick since her move to the area in 1973. Margaret talks about raising children in the 70s, and the landscape of Randwick City then. Margaret also talks about her 17 years serving on council, her experience as a reluctant mayor and her memories of initiatives introduced and of the wonderful people she encountered while serving on council during that time.

In Episode 5, Linda McIntosh talks about growing up in Clovelly in the 1950s and 60s, and reflects on the history of the area especially focusing on her street, Campbell St and the changes she has seen over the years.  Linda  has gathered  a remarkable knowledge of  Clovelly  from 1880s to  present day including:  the origin of the name Poverty Point,  the reasons for the cannons at Shark Point and Burroughs Park , the  secrets found  in Waverley Cemetery , the establishment of the first school and  some interesting characters who have graced the streets of Clovelly over time.

In Episode 4, Bob Carr talks about growing up in Maroubra and Matraville in the 1950s and 60s. His sharp memory recalls the smells of milk bars and the bread from horse drawn bakery carts. Bob describes in detail, the physical landscape of the time and also talks about what it was like being a child in the 1950s and 60s in a more relaxed society.

As time went by, Bob talks on his first encounters with TV and trams and the influences that formed his political views, Sundays spent listening to orators in the Domain, discussions with Keating and Beaton and finally his journalist and political careers.

In Episode 3, Patricia Amphlett, (Little Pattie) talks about her time spent sunbathing, singing and Stompin at Maroubra in the 1960s. She discusses her whirlwind entry into show business, her friendships with tough-boy Bill Thorpe and nice-boy John Farhnam, and she shares a long-held secret about that talent quest at Bronte Surf Club in 1963. Patricia also discusses the impact that her experience in Vietnam had on the way she thinks about war and reminisces on old teachers and school friends and the innocent life she left behind in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

In episode 2, Lyn Smith shares her recollections of her training and nursing days at Prince Henry Hospital in Little Bay from 1955 to 1959. She takes us through a routine day as a nurse during that time and shares her knowledge of the early history of the hospital from 1881. Formerly known as the Coast Hospital, it was set up to quarantine patients who had infectious diseases including smallpox, whooping cough, polio, leprosy and tuberculosis.

In Episode 1, Gary Ella talks about growing up in the Randwick City Council suburb of La Perouse in the 1960s and 70s. This was a time of large families, woodfire stoves and earning pocket money the hard way. Equally tough were the games played with friends who lived in the neighbourhood. A game of touch on the dirt or bitumen roads could cause a lot of injuries, but it also fine-tuned those quick hand skills that the Ella brothers were known for.

Gary’s personal recollections of diving for coins off the wharf, fishing for mullet and lobster in Botany Bay, collecting rats for the Snakeman, and later, his recruitment for the Wallabies, the overseas trips and visiting the Queen, are colourful to say the least.

Explore the history of Randwick City through the recollection of locals who know and love the area. Each episode is a personal snapshot in time, from recounting diving for coins off the wharf at La Perouse, nursing a child at the infectious diseases hospital in Little Bay, being scouted by EMI records while Stompin' at Maroubra or finding yourself the reluctant first female Mayor of Randwick.