Welcome to the 70s and 80s
in Glen Waverley.
This book is about growing up in Melbourne suburbia in the 70's and 80s. The places, the schools, the sports and the people we interacted with. The way our family lived and the things that happened to us and those around us. It is a memoir of a time that has passed.
Destined to play
The first football I owned was a brown plastic football bought from the service station. It had a hard round knob at one end that would hurt your foot if you kicked it without shoes. I graduated to a small leather footy when I was about 6 or 7 years old. Each footy would last until the leather split and the bladder came out and wouldn’t go back in. Then, and only then, would I qualify for a new one.
Dad signed me up for the VicKick program in primary school where I learnt the basics. Then in 1979, Mum and Dad took me down to the Tally-Ho Oval to sign me up for the Syndal-Tally Ho Under 9s. I was so excited. This was followed by a trip to K-Mart to buy a pair of footy boots that wouldn’t have looked out of place in the 1950s.
Jatz Crackers
Towards the end of primary school, I grew out of the Malvern Star and needed a new set of wheels. I was given the choice of either a BMX bike or a larger racer. I resisted the urge to get a BMX bike probably because I would have fallen off. Instead, I decided to get a larger Graecross racer. With curved handlebars, it was typical of a bike you would see at the velodrome.
At first, my feet had trouble touching the ground without squashing my jatz crackers on the bar. Thankfully I grew a bit more and could come off the seat without causing irreparable damage to the crown jewels. The family name had a chance to continue into the next generation. My racer was my new pride and joy.
Umpiring
I was umpiring a game at Port Melbourne and on this day, three older ladies were sitting on the north side of the ground. They were providing ‘constructive criticism’ to our umpiring group in the form of first-class abuse. At one stage the ball went out of bounds, and over the fence, so I had a few seconds to position myself near the boundary line to wait for the throw in.
The three ladies were clearly not happy with my performance, and they were letting me know in no uncertain terms. Some of the players were watching me listen to the abuse, wondering if I would react. When the lady paused for breath, I said: “Mum, if you are going to come and watch me umpire, is there any chance you could say something nice for a change?” The players roared with laughter as the ball was thrown in. The abuse continued unabated.
Grandpa Hooper
“Why would you want to live all the way out here in the boondocks?”
Glen Waverley, located 20 kilometres south-east of the Melbourne CBD, was a combination of orchards, market gardens and new housing estates when my Grandfather visited my newly settled parents in 1967. From when I was born in 1970 through until 1990, Glen Waverley went through its halcyon years. It was full of young families like ours with countless children filling schools, shops and sporting teams in the area. It was a great place to live during those times.
This book is about growing up in this era. The places, the schools, the sports and the
people we interacted with. The way our family lived and the things that happened to
us and those around us. It is a memoir of a time that has passed.
Meet the author
I have been a Melbourne boy all of my life, not venturing far from my Glen Waverley roots. My childhood love of a game of cricket and a kick of the footy still plays a big part of my life these days. My family, who you will meet in the book, form a significant part of my existence, with my kids, Darcy and Emma reaching adulthood in fine style. I hope you enjoy the book, and that it triggers many fond memories from these times and places. I look forward to hearing from you if you have a story or two to share.
Let's talk
01
Book Signings
Nick is available to give presentations, signing copies of the book for those who attend.
02
Consignment
Find out more about selling Relatable on consignment.
03
Media
Nick is able to appear on radio and podcasts to discuss aspects of the book, and all things relatable.
“Why did I always get
your hand-me-downs?”
Rachel
“You’ve got nothing to lose but your smoker’s cough (by reading this book)”
Gramps
“An excellent book! But
a bit like your mowing,
you missed a bit.”
Dad
Grandpa Hooper
“It put my kids to sleep”
Sarah
“Tidy your bedroom”
Mum