CHILDHOOD & FAMILY

Alex Johnson

Alex talks about the values he learned at a young age from his parents and gives insight into his family life.

Bill Jacob

Our community members reminisce about their family backgrounds, the values their parents imparted and the ways in which they played, learned and grew as children.

Bill discusses his influences and values gained from his family and how his educational interests developed through adolescence.

Brenda Meadows

As a young child during World War II, Brenda remembers the sense of community and the generosity of her neighbours. 

She explains her childhood activities and reflects how different it is to todays kids.

Christine Lilley

Christine was born on Clarendon Crescent in 1951. She remembers attending Sunday School in the undercroft of St Mary Magdalene’s, and getting married in the church in 1971. 

Christine talks about the games she would play with other children in the streets around the church, and how safe the area felt as a child.

Eddie O’Reilly

Eddie is the eldest of three siblings to Irish parents who came to the area during WWII. He describes living in the Paddington area in the 1950’s and 60’s. 

Eddie discusses his childhood fears and the schools he attended.

Geoff Briggs

Geoff recalls his wild and unruly behaviour as a child in the 70s, he reflects on the freedom he felt.

Lesley Chakravorty

Eddie is the eldest of three siblings to Irish parents who came to the area during WWII. He describes living in the Paddington area in the 1950’s and 60’s. 

Lesley talks about her leisure time as a teenager.

Patrick Joseph McCabe

Patrick explains the games kids used to play and his childhood.

Tony Grey

Tony was born in 1948 and moved to Lord Hills Road as a baby. Tony attended Edward Wilson Primary School on Senior Street and would play in the local roads with other so-called ‘latchkey kids’.   

He recalls playing in the streets before automobiles became popularized in the area.