Christopher Bennett

Memoir Reflections

Chris Bennett

Nick’s and Eve’s Shops

In this photo are two of my favourite shops of the 1960s, in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (between Argyle and Kerr Streets).

On the left was Nick’s milk bar where I shopped for my parents and bought lollies, drinks and ice creams almost on a daily basis. The next two buildings were Eve’s haberdashery and toy shops. I always looked into the toy store window and dreamed of the toys I wanted and couldn’t afford.

My sister worked for Eve as a teenager for several years. Eve later moved down the street to a single building next to Frank Dempsey’s butcher shop.

I miss those shops and although Nick and Eve are no longer there, the happy memories of those times are still etched in my mind.


Fitzroy Characters

This fellow was walking along Brunswick Street towards Alexander Parade, in Fitzroy the other day and I couldn’t resist taking his photo.

I’d loved to have developed my current interest in street photography as a kid back in the 1950s and 1960s because there were a few memorable characters.

Some I remember include Dot the pram lady, Jim the Drunk, Rags the dog, and the bottle-o’s

The only images I have of those characters are in my mind and will never be forgotten.

What characters do you remember?

Light at the End of the Tunnel

There is light at the end of the tunnel because I’ve just received the last few chapters of my memoir to correct. After eight drafts, I’ll have a ‘fair dinkum’ one, hopefully that’s readable.

The next step is to go over the manuscript a couple of more times and make any further corrections needed or restructuring before I start the process of getting it published.

I plan to hire various professionals to complete the tasks necessary to publish the memoir.

I’m still hoping to have the book available by the end of the year.

The eleven year journey of writing a memoir is almost over – I can see the last stop in the distance.

Image courtesy of Kevin Jinner via Unsplash

History: 357 Brunswick St Fitzroy

Researching my memoir on Trove (online Australian data base), I discovered the following snippets from newspapers in the late 19th century about my former home in Fitzroy, 357 Brunswick Street (Kon’s fish shop – near the corner of Kerr Street).

357 Brunswick St Fitzroy – 2021

24-12-1881
Attention is directed in our advertising columns to the special stock of Christmas, New Year presents to be seen at Stockton’s Fancy Repository, 357 Brunswick-street (Fitzroy City Press).

5-6-1882
THIS DAY.
At 12 o’Clock.
On the Premises, 357 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy.
Stock-ln-Tradc
CONFECTIONERY and FANCY GOODS.
Shon Fixture?, Counters. Shelving, Glass C&ac?, A all in Excellent Condition, and Nearly New, Fancy and Plain Lolly Show Glasses, Cake a Fruit Stands, 50 Tius Lollies, Biscuit?, Fruit R kets. Cordials, Wines, Tea, Tobacco, Cigars , a Pipes, Scales r.ud Weights, Quantity Fancy Goo< Toys, Jewellery, Perfumery, Glassware and Lot Mcellaneou? Goods. TTOHN .T. DENTIN and Co. are instructed to sell 4>ji public auction, on the premises, as above.
Without any reserve. Terms— ca’

19-12-1882
Family Notices
Deaths
MOGDRIDGE.— On the 18th December, at 357 Bruns-wick-street, Fitzroy, Isabella Rosina, infant daughter of Thos. and Anna Mogdridge, aged 4 months and 3 weeks (The Age).

2-5-1887
MOGDRIDGE.—On tbe 1st May, at Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, Thomas John Mogridge, of London, England, aged 47 years, beloved husband of Anna Mogdridge, leaving a widow and seven children to mourn his loss. Respected by all who knew him. Home papers please topy- MOGDRIDGE.—On the 1st May, at his late residence, 357 Brunswick-street, Fitzroy, Mr. Thomas John Mog-dridge, draper, after a long and painful illness, in the 47th yesr of his age (The Age).

13-3- 1891
That the brick houses, Nos. 357 and 359 Brunswick-street, having been certified to in writing as unfit and unsafe for human occt pation or habitation by the officer of health apipointed by this Board, an order be and is hereby made declaring that the said premises are unfit for human occupation or habitation, … (Fitzroy City Press).

In the photo, the second storey is as it was back in the 1950s, but the ground floor front has been altered – the entrance and door were on the left hand side. Also the metal canopy was rectangle shaped.


A Reflection on Relationships

I’ve worked on my memoir for several years and interviewed many friends, family, and relatives. Since then one family member, and at least three of my relatives interviewed passed away. A few days ago a childhood friend also passed away. She was my sister’s close friend during the 1950s and 1960s.

It’s made me reflect on the value of past and present relationships and how fleeting the days, years and decades are. It’s easy to take people you know for granted and forget that there really is only a limited time to nurture and develop meaningful relationships.

Though I remember interviewing a mate who I had not seen for forty five years. When he appeared at his front door the decades vanished and we easily picked up the friendship from the last time we had seen each other as teenagers back in the 1960s.

Working on the memoir has helped me stay in touch with those who have passed away and those still living through my writing,, shared stories and photos.

I value those relationships perhaps because I’m closer to the end than the start of my life – reflecting and appreciating more the impact they have all had on my life.

For those who have passed away their ‘footprints on the sands of time’ will remain in my memory forever.

Image courtesy Jeremy Bishop via Unsplash
Quote: ‘Footprints on the sands of time’ – William Wadsworth Longfellow