My place

Former Footscray mayor, Ted Logan, at his West Footscray home with his latest book of poetry. (Damjan Janevski) 283984_03

Former Footscray mayor, school teacher, marriage celebrant and poet, Ted Logan, is still going strong at 92. The West Footscray resident tells Cade Lucas about his life in Maribyrnong.

What’s your connection to Maribyrnong?

I was born in England and came to Australia as a child. I went to Melbourne High School, became a primary teacher and taught mainly in the bush until I decided I needed a promotion and needed to move to Melbourne. My school was Middle Park Primary School and it was too dear to buy a high house there so I looked around and bought a house in West Footscray. That was in 1944 and I’m still here.

What do you like about living here?

I just like the people. It’s cosmopolitan and there’s everything here you need. People are friendly and in no way standoffish. Everybody mucks in. After the quietness of the country I kind of preferred city life.

What, if anything, would you change about the area?

I’d like to see our team win more games (The Western Bulldogs). I don’t like so much the high rise (towers) that are going up now. What was part of our local identity was all the small houses and close togetherness of people and we’re losing a bit of that. I understand people need somewhere to live though and high rise is what some people want.

Where is your favourite local place to spend time?

I just got back from a walk along the Maribyrnong River. I have a carer that comes once a week and we go for a walk along the river or sometimes Cruikshank Park (in Yarraville). I like to do that. I also enjoy the local shopping centre, Central West on Ashley Street.

Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you

In my career as a marriage celebrant I’ve solemnised over 5000 weddings and also with funeral services, I’ve presided over a thousand. I’m still writing poetry and just published my fifth book of verse. I sent some copies of my poems over to England, to the Royal Society of Literature in London and they sent back a letter saying my poetry was fascinating.