Nostalgia

Daryl writes: Hi Daryl here, I lived in Fenacre street from about 1956 to 1969, I went to Strathmore State School, my fame was in grade I with a close friend Stuart were the bell monitors and operated the marching music for school assembly. My favourite teacher was Mr Higinson, he taught us to sing and use a weaving machine. Some students I remember  John, Graham, Craig, Walter, Richard, Greg ,Janice. In those days you lined up for the strap if you misbehaved. I remember the milk left in the sun with birds pecking through the silver lids, cream at top and always warm, our big sports days spent at Essendon football ground with other local primary schools.

Heading down to Strathmore shops at morning tea or lunch, Greg's parents had a shop there, he always had plenty of lollies, the dentist was at end of Strathmore shops and being sent there was just the worst punishment possible, thank goodness for floride introduced in 1975, bit to late.

From my memeory I was one of the then unlucky ones who because boundaries was unable to go to Strathmore High School.

Oak Park High, I was in the 2nd year intake of the school's history, we were told the best teachers were sent to this school. I remember Mr Boswell, Mr Jones Mr Watts Mr Ongaro. We also had maths teachers who did know the theory but poor at delivery. I lasted three years before completing another year at Essendon tech at night school. I know many students who made it to form 6 and do wish I was there, many things did prevent this. I tip my hat to the ones who did make it. Later in life I did meet Neil a highly qualified scientist at CSIRO who attended, fantastic effort!

My continued studies enabled me to become highly qualified in Electronics after many years of study, on my travels in lifeI use the French taught , woodwork and science.

I attended 2nd Strathmore and 5th Strathmore scouts. I loved the Bon fires, raids to the old house in Lebanon St, being chase out with an older lady threatening to call D24!

Bike rides to Oak Park High with Walter joining the ATC with train trips to Nth Melbourne, mate with Brian and Stuart our time with CMF as Corporals.

Dances at Broadmeadows town hall and the Circle at Essendon station.

One moment of fame winning the billy cart race down Lebanon St from top to Melissa St. Good times be safe!

Ian writes: I lived in Strathmore from 1958 till 1990. I went to Strathmore Primary school and later to Essendon Tech. I remember the Aboriginal tree in Napier Park and also the burnt out tree where we would climb inside the burnt out trunk. The yabbying in Woodlands park with nets made of old stockings. Ah the good old days. I remember the old house on Pascoe Vale Rd next to pedestrian overpass….demolished for the take away built on the spot. The walk down Peck Ave to the Pascoe vale Train station to catch the train to Essendon Station for school, or riding the bike down Napier Street to the shops. Or the time I rode a skateboard down Fenacre Street, when it got the speed wobbles I jumped off, only to slide two house blocks on my back along the road. The old House which backed on to Melissa Street with the horse stables getting burnt down in the 60s. Blocks of townhouses were built on the stable area after the fire. I have been back several times to Strathmore and always the memories flood back.There are a lot of differences but if you look deep, there are a lot of history still lingering.

Carol writes: On 22 February 2015, approximately 40 foundation members of Strathmore High School met at the Cross Keys Hotel for a reunion.  We have had a few such reunions in the past and would hope to continue this tradition for some years to come.  We would be so pleased if we could locate more past students from those years, 1957-58 in the hope that they can join us at our next reunion in 2 years time.

If anyone reading this was a student or knows of any of the foundation students, who today (2015) would now be 69 or 70 years of age, we would be delighted to hear from them and add them to our data base for future reunions. Please send your [1] Name, [2] Years attended Strathmore High, [3] Your email address or phone no. and we will contact you to confirm. Please email your details to: shsreunions57@gmail.com

For any past students of SHS reading this, you may be interested to know that 2 of our teachers were at our reunion this month.  Ms Pamment and Ms Mears, and they are both looking fantastic and still full of life.

Jim writes: "When I was about 11 years old (in 1942) my mate and I were on our bikes. We had just left Puckle Street, Moonee Ponds and were riding towards Essendon. When we were opposite Queen's Park we looked back up in the air and saw a four engine plane only about 1000ft up. One of the engines was trailing black smoke and it was flying the same way as we were going. The plane was losing height and more smoke and flames were coming from the engine. We lost sight of it as it flew towards Essendon airport. It crashed and burst into flames just inside the old airport fence near the corner of Prince and Kerford Strrets. The fire brigade from Essendon, on the corner of Bulla Road and Woodlands Streets, went to put the fire out. The plane was a US Liberator. I think some of the crew survived. They were taken to the new Royal Melbourne Hospital that was in the final stages of being built."

David writes: "Some names of people I have gone to Strathmore with and had some of the best times. I played around and had a lots of fun. I left in form 3 and went to work for Cadburys in the city a big shock no more fun and very regimented. Where are they now - Kristen, Marilyn, Bill, Ken, Grant, Bev, Donald and so many more. 

I remember one or two of the teachers Ms Mears for history she opened my eyes to modern history and I have always thanked her for it. Then there was Ms Lynch a fab music teacher, my love for opera and good music came from the seeds she planted, One day she left the room for meeting, this gave us the opportunity to take the record off and put a funny one on by Stan Freeburg she came back halfway through but just joined in the fun with us all she was a very nice woman. Now back to me, I did make something of myself with the help of the Australian Army and the education that was supplied to me. But the time I had at Strathmore was the fun time for me. I have never seen any one from the School and have over the years thought about you all many times."

Bob writes: "I grew up in Glenroy and found your pages about Strathmore extremely interesting. Well done. I knew it as North Essendon (and in parts as Glenbervie). Students from there travelled to Glenroy High School in the 1950's to early 60's before Strathmore High School was built. Some kept coming till they finished year 12 as the original Strathmore High School didn't go beyond about year 9 or 10 in its early stages. There was a wooden bike track near the railway gates at Strathmore later replaced by that railway overpass.

The paddocks nearby were a favourite place for circuses and I remember one year the elephant was scared of a noisy train and broke off and ran all the way to Pascoe Vale before getting caught. In the 1960s-70s the most respected and better known councillors and mayors of City of Broadmeadows came from the Strathmore area. (Cr Ernie Angel did a magnificent job for the betterment of everyone not just Strathmore. Cr Malcolm Brown was a stabling force as Mayor of Broadmeadows. To name a few!)

I recall the heavy road traffic in Pascoe Vale Road, visiting the old "chook farm" (owned by Tommy Cook I think), the "swing bridge" across the Moonee Ponds Creek near Pascoe Vale Railway Station and the vast open paddocks. As a youngster my parents and I used to walk up the hill from North Essendon station to Woodlands Park for picnics. 

I recall an aboriginal 'canoe tree' and thicker bushlands in Napier Park. A lot of my school friends lived in homes that were demolished to make way for the Tullamarine Freeway. As a youngster I’d often ride my bicycle from Glenroy to Strathmore and Essendon (or all the way out to Bulla or Wildwoods) There were 6 scout groups in Strathmore as part of Broadmeadows scouting district – I can forward you a history of their formation (when I find the booklet I have stored under my house) My father was the local scout commissioner and had 21 groups within Broadmeadows at that time. 

Your page tells about the Essendon Aerodrome/Airport and of its opening 1921 however the aerodrome for Melbourne was in paddocks at Glenroy 1919-1921 (i.e. outside of the Point Cook military air fields). See photos SLV. I also recall the many 'quips' by local councillors who were really peeved when overlooked in NOT getting invitations to greet dignitaries including the Queen when they arrived at Essendon Aerodrome. 

Your page tells about place names. There was also the spelling "Mooney Ponds" on some old buildings – see photos in SLV You have some excellent authorities for the FACTS about Strathmore. Sam Merrifield was a great man for the district. I must contact Bob Chalmers of the Essendon Historical society. Your pages have brought back many memories of the area and family names (e.g. I played hockey with some of the McCracken families).

Peter writes "I was living in Strathmore in 1961 quite close to the old railway crossing. One night in October I was woken up by the sound sirens and people yelling. I got up to see what all the fuss was about and walked up to the rail crossing. I saw an elephant lying dead on the crossing and a train derailed. So yes Carol some one does remember. I was 15 at the time."

Marie writes: "Hi, my family migrated from the UK in 1964. Strathmore HS in their wisdom or lack thereof put me in a class right for my year but below my capabilities. I spend a whole year totally bored and even reduced one teacher to tears. My enduring memories are of my classmates helping me adjust my pommie accent, and fish & chip lunches on Fridays. I was a bit of a novelty being a totally obsessed Beatles fan, complete with the haircut and fan club stuff. I remember a rumour that the Beatles, on their OZ tour, were to be at the Melbourne Zoo, goodness knows why, but a few of us wagged school, crossed the creek and went to check it out. It was ages before I was game to tell my parents!"

Debbie writes: "I remember the milkman with his horse and cart, I remember getting up early in the morning waiting out side listening for the horses hooves coming up the hill, hopping on and going to help deliver the milk (they were good times.)

I attended Strathmore Primary School until 1970 (grade 6) then went to the Secondary College for a few years. I used to walk to High School. It seemed a long walk then over the swinging bridge and up along the creek to school.

Remember Bonfire Nights (who would have the biggest fire).

Carol writes: "My name is Carol. I attended SHS from 1957 to 1960, having come from Moonee  Ponds Central School. I was born and bred in Moonee Ponds before moving to Pascoe Vale South (almost Strathmore) after I married. I'm still there.

My children attended PVS Primary and Strathmore High School. Now my grandson is at PVS Primary School and will also attend Strathmore Secondary College.

Do others remember when walking home from school, or to the station, the girls and boys weren't allowed to walk together. I clearly remember Glenys and Rob walking along Woodlands Ave together holding hands (after all, they were going out together with the blessing of their parents) and the next day there was absolute hell to pay in the Headmaster's office. Little did they know that most us girls travelling down to Moonee Ponds and Essendon used to meet the boys from Glenroy Tech on the train.

Imagine our kids today if they had to wear a hat and gloves to school, as we did. We would be in real strife if we were seen not wearing ours to and from school. And do you also remember at assembly having to kneel on the asphalt while a teacher measured the distance our school uniform was from the ground?

Does anyone remember when the elephants escaped from the circus on Cross Keys oval back in the 50's? From my recollections I think one was hit by a train at the old rail crossing near the Greyhound Track.

I also have some very fond and warm memories of going with mum and dad and my brothers and sister to the Carols by Candlelight in Napier Park after church on the Sunday night before Christmas.

And of course, who in the 50's DIDN'T go yabbying in Woodlands Park?

Wonderful memories! "you can always go back to the place, but you can never go back to the time". "

Bruce writes: "I have some very good memories of going to Strathmore Primary School in the 60's. I remember on cold winters mornings the puddles on the asphalt schoolyard would freeze over and we would run and "ice skate" on the puddles. Dangerous but fun.  I also remember the huge number of the white thistle seed pods (we use to call them "robbers") that at certain times of the year would blow down from the thistle infestations of the undeveloped land in Strathmore North and Strathmore Heights. The wind would swirl the pods around in the schoolyard and children would chase and catch them.

Another memory I have is having fish and chips from the Psaltis Fish shop on Napier St. Their Strathmore fish and chip shop was in Napier Street for over 20 years. In the later 1960s I remember me and other Strathmore Primary school children hitting them up for 5c of chips on the way home from school. That was highway robbery by us and charity from them." See the Psaltis 70th Wedding Anniversary newspaper notice.

Lindsay writes: "Thrilled to see your photo of the tree in the middle of Woodland street - my father had told me the story of this many times, but never seen a photo of it before. When I was a kid we rode horses from Woodland Street near Salmon Ave. across the paddocks to the trestle bridge - Essendon airport only came to top of Carnarvon Road then. Often looked across to the two up school on the other side of M.P. Creek. Also knew Jack English who owned and farmed Oak Park."

Nina writes: "You know the thing that sticks in my mind about the Creek land before they changed it to parklands is horses. People used to keep their horses tied to long ropes with a big bucket of water. The horses would graze away whilst us kids played around them. The grass used to be approximately 3 feet high. It was so high we played hide and seek in it. It was such a change to come back here to live as an adult and find the land all cleared and landscaped. Environmentally, I don't know whether that is a good or bad thing."

John writes: "I lived in Strathmore from 1952 until 1967. I was a foundation member of Strathmore High School, spending most of 1957 riding my bike between the various temporary classrooms. It was fascinating reading about the politics behind the establishment of the school."