THE memories came flooding back for guests attending the Back to Chelsea reunion at the Chelsea hotel on Saturday.
Organiser Peter Johnson was MC of the event which attracted 150 guests from as far away as Queensland, Perth and Hobart.
Everyone wore name tags – with the women’s tags showing their maiden names for easy recollection – and several schools had displays.
“It was a really good event with a great mix of age groups,” Mr Johnson said. “People travelled from all over to get here to rekindle old friendships and have a chat about old times.”
The event was organised online through the site: “You grew up in Chelsea and can remember…”
Social media comments included: “I remember the Chelsea markets where my mum worked in the fruit shop, the old Coles’ department store, Chelsea hospital where my twin daughters were born, and Chelsea Primary School which I attended as a child. There was the old Chelsea picture theatre where I had my first kiss and lots more that I have probably forgotten.”
“I remember when crochet bikinis were in and the lifesaving club used to pump out music on 3KZ. We all had sand stuck to us from overdosing on Reef oil instead of sunscreen and male camel toes in shorts, unfortunately, was the rage. By the way Tracey Drury thanks for my crochet bikini when I was 13 LOL.”
“Yes the old red brick hotel: what a great old pub that was. When I was 18 I spent a lot of Friday nights [there] in front of the juke box. I turned 18 in 1990 and had my first drink there – Corio and coke was only $4 back then.”
The Chelsea Historical Society stall was a hive of activity with photographs of the early days. Margaret Diggerson had a picture of a soldier by the name of Donald after whom Donald Grove, Chelsea, was named.
Mr Johnson quipped: “I remember the girls from Bonnie High and brought along protection!”
At the reunion former Bonbeach High School students manned a stall promoting the school’s 60th reunion in 2017. “We were just putting out feelers,” former student Sandra Hodgson said. “We were trying to gauge the level of interest for it and give people time to plan,” she said.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 9 September 2015
8 Comments
Im from the UK and still live in the UK. I lived in Chelsea twice and attended Chelsea primary and bonbeach high. I wish I could have been there for reunion. I still have some old schoolbooks from bonbeach and my sister still has her bonbeach school bag. They were good days. Hope everyone enjoyed themselves
I attended Bonnie High 1970 to 1973 having emigrated with my parents. I joined in the 3rd form in 1970. My name was Anne Connolly if anyone remembers me. I’d love to hear. I’m currently trying to trace my two best friends Robyn Mickle and Jillian McKinnon. I returned to England in 1975 and have longed to both trace my friends and return on a visit.
My younger brother, sister and I attended BBH from late 1972 to end of 1974. I came across a school photo ….. Form 2D 1973 (great memories) in Facebook, would like to catch up with anyone who also attended around the same time.
Lindsay Pullin last class year ten 1963 in photo am last on right top row.
I remember a Lurlene Diggerson from about 1962, only from afar.
Lindsay Pullen, you and I used to ride home together, separating at Seaford “Chick Barber Chick Barber. . . “
I lived in Aspendale, Edithvale and Chelsea and attended Bonbeach High when the school first opened and held classes in the RSL, the Methodist church hall, the Anglican church hall and a sports field hall – all in Carrum.
Does anyone from Bonfield high know Robyn Gardiner(née Mickle)Husband Rob Gardiner, children Tom and ? Caitlin, and Jill Gardiner married to Kevin Gardiner?One of your school chums now living in Scotland would like to get in touch and would love to catch up,thank you
My name is Kim Bennett I lived at Haig ave & went right through primary ,would love to share photos but don’t know where to send them ( school photos from kindy to yr 6 ) great memories