I Remember When with Milton Rendell

Remember when the local area was all pubs and petrol stations – it seemed like they were everywhere.

Petrol stations closed at around six except those on roster, there was no 24 hour shifts and the best thing you could buy was a cool drink and maybe a small chocolate at a servo.

With the pubs in our area, there were a few which attracted different groups.

With the railway workshops in action then, the Commercial and Stockman Hotels were pretty busy for lunch and entertainment during the week – real working men’s pubs.

In addition to those was the Midland Inn, The Freemasons Hotel or the Junction, which may have been the oldest built in 1896, and of course the Council Club or the 7th Avenue.

There were plenty of others not far away with the Darling Range in Bellevue, the more modern Vale Tavern in Swan View or back to Guildford to the Stirling Arms, the Woodbridge and Guildford Hotel.

We also had the Midland Bowing Club, Morrison Park Bowling Club, Swan Bowling Club as well the Bellevue RSL.

So there were plenty of places to have a drink on a Friday night and enjoy a good meal after work.

Sunday sessions were all the rage as well though the hours were more restricted than now.

Back then, you were allowed to smoke inside as that was part of life, though I never did having been a non-smoker all my life and hating the smell of my hair and clothes after going to a busy bar.

Does anyone remember the Generator in Morley?

I worked there on Friday nights and at the end of the shift my hair was caked in smoke and it was like I had rolled in an ash tray.

Bands were a big part of the scene then as well.

Anyone remember Sherbet?

They performed at the Freemasons, so things did rock in Midland once upon a time.

A quick quiz for everyone, what was the name of the night club on Spring Park Road?

If you have any memories like mine, email memories@realestateplus.com.au.

– Milton Rendell, chief executive officer Real Estate Plus

Image: State Library of WA/Betty Smith