Australia

[lionking]

The former Australian Pub is still there, and still serving a mean lemon squash (amongst other things), only these days it's known as "The Abercrombie" 'cos it's on the corner of Abercrombie Street and Broadway.

I'm from Petersham, BTW.

Good to see it's still open. Last time I walked past (recently, I still enjoy walking those streets) it looked decidedly decrepit. But, then again, it always did.

 

[Akhenaten]

Good to see it's still open. Last time I walked past (recently, I still enjoy walking those streets) it looked decidedly decrepit. But, then again, it always did.

Absolutely. It reminds me of some of the pubs in Fitzroy where you'd swear the place was within minutes of being demolished, with windows boarded up, most of the doors barred and no lights or other signs of life showing, but then you find a dark corridor that seems to lead inside and next thing you know you're sittin' in the front bar with a pot in your hand.

 

[MG1962]

Good to see it's still open. Last time I walked past (recently, I still enjoy walking those streets) it looked decidedly decrepit. But, then again, it always did.

Chippendale was always one of my favorite suburbs when I was a courier. It felt like a little alcove fenced in by some of Sydney's busiest streets

Lionking, you mentioned the brewery has been re-developed. What did they build there. I used to spend a lot of time in the place doing deliveries

 

[lionking]

Chippendale was always one of my favorite suburbs when I was a courier. It felt like a little alcove fenced in by some of Sydney's busiest streets

Lionking, you mentioned the brewery has been re-developed. What did they build there. I used to spend a lot of time in the place doing deliveries

The brewery is still a building site.

Time to reminisce. When I lived there in the 50s and 60s it was a major slum. There were quite a few murders there (two were featured in "Blue Murder"), and Rose Street, where my grandmother lived, was featured in a Peter Corris book. I was a shoplifter from Grace Brothers and a house breaker before I was in my teens. I was caught breaking into an office and changed my ways at about 13. My brother didn't and ended up as a bouncer and, well, a criminal who did time at Emu Plains. He later worked at the Cross for Lenny McPherson, from Underbelly fame.

Don't know how I ended up where I am.

 

[MG1962]

The brewery is still a building site.

Time to reminisce. When I lived there in the 50s and 60s it was a major slum. There were quite a few murders there (two were featured in "Blue Murder"), and Rose Street, where my grandmother lived, was featured in a Peter Corris book. I was a shoplifter from Grace Brothers and a house breaker before I was in my teens. I was caught breaking into an office and changed my ways at about 13. My brother didn't and ended up as a bouncer and, well, a criminal who did time at Emu Plains. He later worked at the Cross for Lenny McPherson, from Underbelly fame.

Don't know how I ended up where I am.

I never saw the area as a slum, by the early 70's virtually all the slums around Sydney had been cleaned up, so it is obvious my impression of the area is distorted by that

 

[lionking]

I never saw the area as a slum, by the early 70's virtually all the slums around Sydney had been cleaned up, so it is obvious my impression of the area is distorted by that

Yes you are right. The 60's were another thing altogether.

 

[MG1962]

Yes you are right. The 60's were another thing altogether.

Yeah people have told me that even the western side of Kent street was all slums in the 60's. Again 10 years later it was hard to believe.

I guess thats all part of growing up. Sydney has changed over the years. In my mind some of that change has been good, others, just seemed to suck the character out of the city. I must be getting crotchity lol

 

[Akhenaten]

 

[MG1962]

I still remember the first time I saw the House with the tiles on on the sails. Breath taking

 

[Akhenaten]

If you don't live in Sydney, you're just camping out​

 

[Damien Evans]

I used to sell newspapers in that pub as a boy. It is (was, I think it's now closed) in Chippendale next to the old Kent Brewery (also now closed and being turned into a yuppie enclave). That pub is also notable for being used to film a very violent scene in "Blue Murder".

Chippendale is a very interesting suburb. At one stage full of factories and slums (and the brewery, which took up about a fifth of the whole suburb) and around 16 pubs, all in less than one square kilometer. Now all the factories are closed and turned into apartments, offices and studios. I used to say I lived in Redfern because I was so embarrassed about Chippendale. And there are only about three or four pubs left.

Wow. That bad?

 

[Damien Evans]

Absolutely. It reminds me of some of the pubs in Fitzroy where you'd swear the place was within minutes of being demolished, with windows boarded up, most of the doors barred and no lights or other signs of life showing, but then you find a dark corridor that seems to lead inside and next thing you know you're sittin' in the front bar with a pot in your hand.

You just perfectly described every heavy metal nightclub in Melbourne. Except for the sitting part, at the bar anyway.

 

[Akhenaten]

 

[Akhenaten]

 

[Damien Evans]

And if you don't live in Melbourne, you're an uncultured boor.


Btw, any chance you could do something on The Seekers, Akhenaten?

 

[Akhenaten]

You just perfectly described every heavy metal nightclub in Melbourne. Except for the sitting part, at the bar anyway.

Actually, now that you mention it, that's true enough. I think I'm just more accustomed to Fitzroy and Collingwood because Vonnie worked at St Vincent's & Mercy Private in Victoria Parade.

And if you don't live in Melbourne, you're an uncultured boor.

Absotively

Btw, any chance you could do something on The Seekers, Akhenaten?

What a good idea. I'm on it.

 

[arthwollipot]

My dad almost married Judy Durham. Or so he says.

 

[Damien Evans]

I came from the dream-time, from the dusty red soil plains
I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame.
I stood upon the rocky shore, I watched the tall ships come.
For forty thousand years I've been the first Australian.


Nobody can top the seekers version of that great song.

 

[MG1962]

I came from the dream-time, from the dusty red soil plains
I am the ancient heart, the keeper of the flame.
I stood upon the rocky shore, I watched the tall ships come.
For forty thousand years I've been the first Australian.


Nobody can top the seekers version of that great song.

Although Judith Durham sings on the most memorable version of the song. The Seekers never actually recorded it.

My daughter was on stage with Bruce Woodley when he sang the song live for the first time, which was round 2002, 2003

I love the fact Woodley wrote two extra verses for the Victorian bush fire victims. Maybe it will become a living song with pieces added as Australia moves through the future

 

[HawaiiBigSis]

Don't know how I ended up where I am.

I'd bet that it was a conscious decision to not end up like your brother did.

Although Judith Durham sings on the most memorable version of the song. The Seekers never actually recorded it.

Is that her singing in the linked-to version?

I love the fact Woodley wrote two extra verses for the Victorian bush fire victims. Maybe it will become a living song with pieces added as Australia moves through the future

What a wonderful idea! They should definitely do that.

What I loved was that -- thanks in most part to this thread -- I "got" many of the references!

And beautiful photos of the Opera House, Akhenaten. I bet there's a story in the building of that structure. Were there folks who thought it was the worst idea ever?