The day after we moved into Port Melbourne, I was greeted on the asphalt path in front of my new home by a small, dark-haired woman with a wide smile asking, “You come for coffee?” As bemused, intrigued and charmed by the invitation as I was, I did not initially venture over to her place for a coffee.
A few days later, another greeting was exchanged. This time it was an even smaller, graceful woman with sparkling eyes who leaned over the picket fence between our homes as I was trying to decide where to place my Carlton garden gnome. She asked if I was a Carlton supporter and I replied that both my husband and I were indeed “Blues” fans. It turned out that this delightful woman had been a most passionate Carlton supporter for over 80 years...
After a few weeks of being asked, “You come for coffee?” I finally decided that the only thing stopping me was an innate reserve about stepping into a stranger’s house. As both the Carlton supporter and coffee lady seemed to know each other, I went for coffee with both of them in one of our homes...
That was five years ago. Since then, there have been many shared coffees (almost every Sunday), football matches, and other occasions for the three of us to catch up. We have gone from strangers to good friends.
Together we span three generations and three waves of Port development. One of us is over 80, has lived in the street all of her life, has family who worked on the wharves, a wonderful memory, and a kind heart. One of us is in our 60’s and arrived in Port with the wave of Greek immigrants in the 1960's, raised her family here whilst working in the local Kraft factory, and continues to extend her generosity and smile to all. One of us is in her 40’s, lives in a renovated workers cottage, and is part of the new wave of Port people who chose the suburb because of its proximity to the beach and city, as well as for the parks and Port's village “vibe”. We each count ourselves very lucky to call Port our home and to have such good neighbours.
By Amanda Noble
A few days later, another greeting was exchanged. This time it was an even smaller, graceful woman with sparkling eyes who leaned over the picket fence between our homes as I was trying to decide where to place my Carlton garden gnome. She asked if I was a Carlton supporter and I replied that both my husband and I were indeed “Blues” fans. It turned out that this delightful woman had been a most passionate Carlton supporter for over 80 years...
After a few weeks of being asked, “You come for coffee?” I finally decided that the only thing stopping me was an innate reserve about stepping into a stranger’s house. As both the Carlton supporter and coffee lady seemed to know each other, I went for coffee with both of them in one of our homes...
That was five years ago. Since then, there have been many shared coffees (almost every Sunday), football matches, and other occasions for the three of us to catch up. We have gone from strangers to good friends.
Together we span three generations and three waves of Port development. One of us is over 80, has lived in the street all of her life, has family who worked on the wharves, a wonderful memory, and a kind heart. One of us is in our 60’s and arrived in Port with the wave of Greek immigrants in the 1960's, raised her family here whilst working in the local Kraft factory, and continues to extend her generosity and smile to all. One of us is in her 40’s, lives in a renovated workers cottage, and is part of the new wave of Port people who chose the suburb because of its proximity to the beach and city, as well as for the parks and Port's village “vibe”. We each count ourselves very lucky to call Port our home and to have such good neighbours.
By Amanda Noble
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