Rosa McKenna loves Spotswood, or ‘Spotty’ as it is affectionately called by locals. She speaks with Goya Dmytryshchak.
What’s your connection to Hobsons Bay?
My great grandmother settled in Yarraville next door to her sister’s family in the early 20th century, where they raised a large Irish brood that has now dispersed all over Australia. It is said that my grandmother bought a plot of land in Spotswood. In the ’90s, I worked across the western suburbs establishing adult education programs, so I travelled through Spotswood frequently, and was always interested in returning. I bought here in 2007, conscious of this history.
What do you like about Spotswood?
I love Spotswood because it is so compact and unassuming. It has everything you need within walking distance, or you can easily hop on the train or bus to go anywhere else.
When I first moved, people were initially reserved, but as I have become involved in reviving Spotswood Kingsville RSL and helping establish the Spotswood South Kingsville Residents Group (SSKRG), I have made many friends and got to know many more.
I have grown to love Donald McLean Reserve – my wilful dog, Lucy, knows every cranny and hole.
What would you change?
Spotswood is already changing. Its modest working class and industrial landscape is gradually being gentrified, and that is not a bad thing. Renewal is needed. The cottages are being replaced by high and medium density developments alongside long-standing homes. This brings a nice mix of old and young, long-time Spotty folk and newcomers into the area. One thing likely to bring a lot of change to Spotty and other areas along the freeway corridor is the Western distributor. This will bring at least 500 placarded trucks into the suburb, transforming Simcock Avenue as an entrance to Spotswood, and building a ramp alongside Donald McLean Reserve. It will bring more noise and ultra-fine exhaust closer to this precious piece of open space, and to Emma McLean Kindergarten.
What’s your favourite cafe and/or eatery?
I mostly like eating at home and from my own garden, but it is hard to resist the lure of the growing range of eateries on Hudsons Road and Vernon Street. I have a regular beef pho at Chase and meet friends for coffee and cakes at any of the other local cafe – Mies, Doyle & Sons, Candied and the Duchess. My family are regulars at the Spottiswoode Hotel, but my heart is in the intimate little bar at the Spotswood Kingsville RSL.
What are you passionate about and why?
I keep my eye on remote communities in the Northern Territory, where I worked off and on for 10 years.
I remain in touch with ‘family’ in East Arnhemland and the Thamarrurr region west of Darwin. I tease them with the success of my Bulldogs over their AFL passions, and watch as young ones make names for themselves in footy, art and music – all made possible through their continuing bilingual and bicultural education systems that allow them to live and work in both cultures.
