A wonderful neighbourhood full of kids. Engwells, Frenchs, Coads (Broadway West), Houstons (Church St), Jim Evans (Broadway West, Cox and Backman families (Church St) and Kings in Broadway West. The Roberson family consisted of one boy (Mrs R first marriage) named Graham and twin girls. Graham was doing Yr 11 and I must have been about year 8. He always complained of getting a hard time from his step-father (I remember one complaint being that he had to clean his sisters shoes!!). Anyhow, Graham, Robert Engwell and myself all complained of the hard time that we all had at home and plotted to run away. Well, it (almost) happened. The Robertson family were holidaying (Lakes Entrance I think) and Graham decided to carry out the plan, he ran away from home (holiday actually) - heading for Yallourn to collect Robert and myself. I've forgotten the chain of events, but apparently in the early hours of the morning he banged on my window but sleeping beauty must of been having wonderful dreams, and then the same for Robert, with the same result. So, off he went to the big smoke of Melbourne. He must have come back at some stage otherwise I wouldn't have known the banging on the window part of my story. But he certainly went for good. Some years later when I have moved to Melbourne, i ran into him. Maybe it was then that he told me the story of the windows? He had virtually lived on the streets of St Kilda before establishing himself. But i must say, I'm quite pleased that I am a heavy sleeper!
There are lots of good memories of growing up in the neighbourhood. The mischief that we got up to was verging of criminal. People with iron roofs used to get many a rattling on summer nights when we stayed out late Sorry!
Immediate Neighbours: 14 - Bill & Trixie Spicer (no kids);
Nearby Neighbours: Broadway West - 10 - Percy & Bertha Deacon, son Arthur; 16 - Bill & Vi Enguell, 4 sons; 18 - Beryl & Len Hyde. Cnr Broadway West & Westbrook - Robertsons, French; Whartons; Thorpe, daughter Peggy