Today we tiptoed around the western edge of Melbourne, dabbling our toes into the waters of remembrance, or at least Chris’. It was truly a journey of nostalgia and shock, for him to see his Melbourne so changed.
We packed up lunch and headed eastwards on the Western Highway bright and early this morning, stopping firstly at Deer Park to check out where he and his first wife set up their first home and started to raise their daughter. We found our way there without the aid of the Tomtom, however there were acres and acres of residential area where there had once been wide open paddocks. The western edge of the city now stretches to a place called Caroline Springs, no longer Deer Park. The shopping centre, now Brimbank Central, which was once their local service centre has grown beyond a few stores, now quite substantial. Here I purchased a long dress, something I have been longing to do for a year or so; this one does not look too bad on a mature woman such as me, in my opinion. A souvenir, you might say? Any excuse!
The railway station at Sunshine was next on the agenda, to carry out research on timetables and fares, all attended to with efficiency and pleasantly by a new Australian behind the grill. We left there with seven day Metcards and ready to take on Melbourne.
From here we headed to Footscray where Chris spent close to a year after his separation; a flat in a block up Empire Street. Even Chris who had some positive memories of the place had to agree that it really was now The Pits. Rubbish lining the street, upturned wheelie bins, graffiti, truant shopping trollies and unkempt gardens all suggested that those who choose these days to live in that part of Footscray have no sense of pride in the place. The block of flats in question had a big “For Sale” sign at the entrance, and just for a nanosecond, we considered an investment in Australia. No need to add that the idea was discarded immediately.
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| Flemington viewed from Footscray Park |
Close by, just down the hill from Footscray is the suburb of Flemington, or rather the famous racecourse and area about that is Flemington. On the western side of the Maribyrnong River, is Footscray Park, where Chris married Wife No 2. I can see why they chose this venue, the upper slopes are an attractive parkland, and back then the grass on the flats was green and alive. Today where we sat to eat our lunch, the flats were arid and unattractive, and the lily pond behind us was full of coots and rubbish. There is a shared cycling and walking path along the river these days, and formal parking areas; none of which was there back in the very early 1980s. The view of the city skyline was tantalising close but not to be explored today.
Our next destination was Highpoint City, today a huge shopping centre with four hundred shops, apparently the fifth largest shopping centre in Victoria and the tenth largest in all of Australia. That actually surprised me; I thought it might be the largest, but then I guess we haven’t been everywhere yet. Cranes and associated construction are proof that expansion is well under way, and in another year there will be another one hundred shops. We walked up and down the centre, all three levels and past the largest Target department store we have ever seen. It was here that Chris and his first wife purchased all the items for their brand new home in Lara Court all those years ago, when Target was several hundred metres up the road from Myers, now connected through the corridors of shops. Here at Highpoint City, Chris purchased a new suit for a song, for less than it costs to hire one, so the talented salesman told us; another souvenir. Now we have to find somewhere to wear these brand new outfits.
When I consider how many tourists might approach Melbourne, through the airport, a taxi ride to a swank hotel near the centre and then spend their week lingering over brunches and lattes, and well-oiled dinners in the many restaurants I believe Melbourne has to offer, I have to smile at the contrast of my own introduction to this great city. We have come in through the back door, as it were, and are seeing the places where all those who would provide the services to those tourists, would live and shop and spend time with their families; the real Melbourne perhaps, more so than the short term tourist might see.
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