I was born at 6.10 am on a cold June morning in Melbourne, Australia in 1964, 3rd child & first daughter to Margaret and Alf. I grew up in a catholic household with my 3 brothers & 2 sisters attending catholic schools in the northern suburbs. I lived at home until my 23rd birthday which I celebrated with a Contiki overseas adventure then came home and moved in with dear friends before meeting my husband and relocating to Bendigo and Brisbane due to my husbands early career as a soldier with the Australian Defence force. Aside from these short bursts outside of Melbourne, primarily Melbourne has been the place I have called home for 48 years.
That is soon about to change with the year moving along at rather high speed, and with that I have begun to think of leaving Melbourne akin to leaving behind an old friend. Actually I am. It is often said that home is where the heart is and I have always felt safe and comforted whilst living in Melbourne. I love the change of seasons which is uniquely Melbourne, the autumn with its freshness and beautiful colours as the leaves fall & the crunching under your feet. I love this time of year when the weather starts to change and you get to put the heater on because winter has arrived and sit under a blanket with a hot cuppa or soup with a good book, its then I know I am definately in Melbourne. I think this is what I love best of all when I think of Melbourne. I have often felt that 'coming home feeling' particularly when I have been away or on a plane coming back from visiting interstate or from an overseas trip, that immense satisfying feeling touching down at 'Melbourne International Airport' fondly known as 'Tulla' to those my age who knew the airport intimately before it became a large and busy international airport, landing has always bought with it a sense of pride, a wonderful feeling that I was home again and never without a big grin on my face...
The coffee culture (inner city coffe or tea stops such as DeGraves or Hopetoun tearooms)
Spent many an afternoon sipping coffee
in the laneways of Melbourne
The old buildings and laneways and Yarra river
The city churches such as St Pat's Cathedral
The beautiful garden shops, cafes and antiques shops I frequented such as Beasleys teahouse,
Watson's Creek cafe & Lilies on Brougham
Lilies ~ my favourite haunt of all time
I will miss my local art historic centres to roam around the grounds such as
Monsalvat (Eltham)
and Heide Museum of Modern Art (Bulleen)
The 'green wedge' of North-East Melbourne where I lived near Eltham, Warrandyte & Hurstbridge, are all lovely 'organic' places to visit, always a good reason to stock up on herbs, creams and natural products...while sitting, watching the world go by over a cuppa and of course Viewbank holds a special place for all of us where my children went through their schooling years,
The Silo’s at Viewbank
and where Bill spent many years playing and coaching at Viewbank Cricket Club.
I will miss the public libraries I frequented often and worked in many for over 15 years,
Melbourne's magnificent sporting facilities such as the MCG and Rod Laver arena where my family attended football, cricket & myself wonderful concerts, Fleetwood Mac & The Eagles to name a few..
We've had some special day trips and weekends away in B&B's to the gorgeous Dandenong Ranges which holds very special childhood memories for me, & beautiful Yarra Valley where I have shared many a devonshire tea...
And of course, Melbourne is where we bought our first home, a home I never expected to have and where my children grew up and cherished, it holds special memories for us all...
So... while I am leaving for a quieter exsistance, one that I definately yearn for, I fondly recall these memories of Melbourne which will always hold a special place in my heart...and give thanks by honouring this wonderful place I have called my home for 48 years....
