Flora Wright - 1975

Flora Wright
1975

In 1975 George and I were invited to live at 37 Lancaster Crescent, Long Reef, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. George had boarded there briefly, in 1973, when he first came to Sydney after leaving the Royal Australian Navy. It was at No.37 that George and I first met in February 1973, when he was then lodging there. The deal was that we could live free of charge in the garden flat in return for maintaining the garden for the elderly owner, Mrs Edith Rommel. George and I eagerly agreed. It was an excellent opportunity to save money and the garden flat afforded a private, separate entrance to the property and magnificent views overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Mum and Dad lived at nearby Dee Why and visited often. This charming photo of my beloved mother, Emily Flora Wright nee Glover (known as Flora), was taken on one such visit.

George Chamberlain - February 1973

George Chamberlain
February 1973

Here’s George, photographed in the very room where we first met at 37 Lancaster Crescent, Long Reef, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It was February 1973 and George  had recently left the Royal Australian Navy. On the day we met, I had collected my friend, Paul, from Grace Bros at Warringah Mall, after he finished work (and yes, he did work in the menswear department). Shops closed at 12 midday on Saturdays back then. It was a hot, sunny, summer day. Paul lived opposite the beach at Narrabeen and we had planned to spend the afternoon at the beach. En route, as we passed through Long Reef, Paul mentioned that he had a friend who lived nearby. He suggested we make a brief detour and call in to say hello. And the rest is history! George and I have been friends ever since. The house at No.37 had spectacular views far out to sea and south along the Pacific coast as far as the Macquarie lighthouse at Vaucluse. It has since been demolished and a palatial new residence erected in its place. George and I visited the building site not so long ago and the builders allowed us to look around. Ah, the memories!