Bridge Road Richmond
Bridge Road Richmond Young Adulthood by Derek Kosbab Bridge Road was a focal point for my last school years through to when I first worked fulltime after leaving school. My last years at school were spent at Richmond Technical School just a short walk along Church Street from Bridge Road. At Richmond Technical School I was bullied by a tall blonde haired German kid. I have no idea why this kid...
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Richmond Childhood by Derek Kosbab My family, mother Doris, father George, me Derek and younger brother Michael arrived in Australia as ten-pound passage immigrants from post-second world war Britain in 1952. After an adventure-filled 18 months in Fingal Tasmania in the care of our Australian sponsor, we made our way to Melbourne. Our first house purchase was in Alban Street Richmond. Alban...
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Richmond Childhood Night-Time Paper Seller by Derek Kosbab When I was 12 years of age, I was a paper-seller in Bridge Road Richmond, from the corner of Church Street moving west up the hill towards the city for about 100 yards. For some period of time I sold papers after school until early evening. Mostly, I stood outside of the ANZ bank and sold papers to passengers getting off the tram that...
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Church Street Richmond Childhood by Derek Kosbab Part of my childhood during 1952-1962 centred around Church Street Richmond since where we lived in Alban Street was adjacent to Church Street. The nearest major intersection to Alban Street is Church Street and Bridge Road. Bridge Road was named for the bridge over the Yarra river at its eastern end; and, Church street for its churches. Most...
Read MoreHilda Menzies
Hilda Menzies at 93 years of age by Derek Kosbab Like many old people, Hilda clutched a handkerchief and wore pearls. She perched on the footrest in our lounge-room for just a few minutes so that I could take some photographs. At 93 she needed to be assisted to sit and to get-up. Hilda tired quickly. The painting shows Hilda contrasted against the lush greenery outside, the beige walls of the...
Read MoreWendy Dart
Wendy Dart (nee Kosbab) by Derek Kosbab My mother’s first child was a girl, Robyn was born with Spina bifida and died before she was one year old. Then, she had me, Derek; and then five years later, Michael. Eight years later in Melbourne, she had Brian and then eighteen months later, Wendy. As Doris’ only daughter, Wendy was special. Wendy was special in many ways. She was a good...
Read MoreBarry Humphries-Dame Edna Everage
Barry Humphries-Dame Edna Everage by Derek Kosbab I painted this portrait in 1977. It shows Barry Humphries, dapper in a double-breasted suit-jacket combined with the impression of a skirt. At the top, Barry peeks from the background wearing a hat at a rakish angle and the famous Dame Edna glasses. Unfortunately, my poor photography has the flash washing out the colour in the middle of the...
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