Mrs Rodger, daughters Iris, Beryl and son Kevin |
I have enjoyed sitting, chatting and collecting wonderful stories and memories from long time local resident Iris Andronicos, 102 years strong and still living at Taringa. Her daughter Nola, has found and loaned us some wonderful old photos of the days that the Rodger family took over the Hillsdon Road Shops.
Inside the Grocer, (now Mosaic Education) Kevin and Beryl Rodger. |
There is an advertisement in the newspaper archives showing a listing dated - 19 Feb, 1946.
Outside the Corner store, looks pretty good! |
Mr Rodgers truck, that did runs in to Roma Street Markets |
Iris Andronicos (nee Rodger) inside the Drapery Store (Laundromat) |
Mrs Rodger, Beryl and young local girl employee |
The beautiful gardens, where the Courtyard is today. |
Iris, Marshall & Nola Andronicos |
Another story I love is that Mrs Rodger had noticed that the area had a lot of Catholic residents, so she started offering Fish & Chips on Friday. It soon took off and they had to purchase another little Bunsen burner, but even that couldn't cope with the growing demand and after a while they had to stop doing it. As the orders phoned in, couldn't be met!
Over time the Centre was developed changed and refurbished. The dirt roads and gutters in these photos upgraded. Originally a Pauls Milk Depot, with the Bus Stop in existence since the 1930's this has been the local shopping hub. In the years it has existed there has been a Butcher (where Pampered Pets is now) A Shoe Repairer, three Hair Salon businesses, a Library, a Dressmaker, Gift shop, craft shop, Surveyor....such a rich history exists at Hillsdon Road Centre.
We plan to continue to find more history on the Centre, names, dates, maps, City plans. So if you have any more, photos or stories to add, please contact me. We'd love to add it to the Archives on Hillsdon Road Centre.
Karen & Geoff Sexton
2 comments:
Wonderful and worthwhile research on an aspect of life in Brisbane that has all but melted into history. And Fantastic photos.
Thanks Toni! We love our shops and will continue to try and find more memories, photo's and history to create something to leave behind for everyone. :)
Post a Comment