Kamahl: Why I Love Warrawee

Aussie entertainment legend Kamahl has lived in Ku-ring-gai for almost 50 years and couldn’t be happier.

Entertainer Kamahl is right at home in Ku-ring-gai. Picture: Troy Snook

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Aussie entertainment legend Kamahl has lived in Ku-ring-gai for almost 50 years and couldn’t be happier.

When did you move to the suburb and why?

We came to St Ives in 1969 and we were there for 10 years and in 1980 we moved to Turramurra and we had what looked like a mansion. My son used to call it the Taj Kamahl. Before the Sydney Olympics we moved to Warrawee because my wife was having difficulty negotiating the steps with her knees so we moved house from Turramurra to Warrawee to save leg pains.

What do you like most about living there?

Since 1969 we have made some wonderful friends. The daughter of one of the neighbours and her husband, I see them three times a week now, and the friendships we’ve made are wonderful. There was only one time I had an irate neighbour when I had the mower on Saturdays, he left me a terse note saying I should go to another suburb. It was 15 years ago and he doesn’t live there any more.

Entertainer Kamahl with his 1974 Silver Shadow Rolls Royce at his Warrawee home. Picture: Troy Snook

What do you enjoy doing on the weekend?

Gardening. I play musical pots. The last two or three days, I’ve been moving the pots. Some of them are camellias and oriental pearls. I went bananas then got six/seven of them.

What is your favourite cafe/restaurant/bar and why?

It’s aptly named — Happyland (at North Turrramura). The food is excellent and the prices are affordable. We discovered it about three/four years ago and go very often because the food is good, principally, and the atmosphere is like it’s happyland.We’ve been going to Choyan in the 19 years. D I should sing the praises and quality of food at Choyan. My friend who is an international traveller says the fish there has never had itbetter anywhere else in the world. Maybe its flounder.

Kamahl has many fond memories hosting neighbours at his home. Picture: Troy Snook

What is your best memory from living in this area?

I think the birth of my children. My son was born when we were in Paddington. My daughter was born in St Ives and the happiest memories from personal achievements like travel but with the neighbourhood, chats and dinners, these things are priceless.

Do you have a favourite park or outdoor space?

There’s so many beautiful trees along Eastern Rd. I’m not a walker, I haven’t been through Ku-ring-gai National Park. That gene is in my DNA.

What do you wish you could change about your suburb?

The only time was six months ago. I think for the first time in my life I attended the council meeting about the Marian Street Theatre (Killara). A few months ago I made an offer to go to the council meeting. They changed their mind (about the theatre shutting) and they are going to have a theatre and that will be the jewel of the crown. I haven’t played a stronger role … I like to think I helped this get over the line.