A Facebook group titled “Altona, I lived there ….” has “gone crazy”, gaining more than 2000 members in its first two weeks.
It was started by Spotswood Football Club president Alan Given, who said he created the page to store information for himself. But other locals and people with links to the suburb are also posting their memories and comments and interacting on the site.
Mr Given said he couldn’t believe it had taken off “like wildfire”.
“I’ve been really passionate about Altona forever and I’ve got a real interest in history,” he said.
“I have a fantastic memory … but lots of stuff I’d forgotten so I’m really rapt with this page.
“For example, the rollerskating rink is something I’d forgotten about completely.
“It’s just great to reminisce.
“It’s guaranteed to be a winner when you think about it in retrospect because people just love talking about their childhood and their past and it brings out so many memories for people.”
The site’s administrator, Altona Laverton Historical Society president Peter Weaver, says he can’t keep up with its popularity. He said people have come out of the woodwork sharing photos, stories and fond memories of the suburb, especially from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
Tales relating to subcultures like the sharpies, former gangs, fads, colourful neighbourhood characters, former businesses and landmarks are being shared on the site.
Among pictures being shared are classroom portraits, huge snapper hauls from years gone by and Cherry Lake when it was a race track. Mr Weaver said one picture showed Jack Brabham, Formula 1 champion, racing his car at the former Cherry Lake track in the early 1950s.
“They contemplated running the grand prix at the track and spent 35,000 pounds on the track,” he said.
“Flooding and a couple of deaths put a halt to the future of the course.”
One of the drivers who died was Jack Lanham, whose great-nephew is one of the Facebook site’s members.
» facebook.com/groups/AltonaIlivedthere/
