‘Canterbury Bankstown is a vibrant, multicultural hub that is unique to its residents’

Eddy Nader speaks of his love for Canterbury Bankstown in our engaging column, Why I love My Suburb, and why he would not want it to change.

Eddy Nader at his Condell Park service station in August, after store won Australia's Best independent Service Station and Convenience Store Award for 2018 at the Australian Association of Convenience Stores ceremony.

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EDDY Nader speaks of his love for Canterbury Bankstown in our engaging column, Why I love My Suburb, and why he would not want it to change.

1. When did you move here?

I was born in Canterbury Hospital, lived in Belmore as a toddler, moved and lived in Lakemba till I was 16, then we moved to Georges Hall and I have lived in Georges Hall ever since. I like to say I’m from Canterbury Bankstown!

It means more to me. My father opened his first service station in Lakemba, and since that time, there has never been a day that we haven’t traded in Canterbury Bankstown.

We have been at our Yagoona service station since 1980! I went to primary School at St Therese Lakemba, then high school at St Johns Lakemba (Holy Spirit Lakemba) and finished my schooling at Benilde Bankstown (La Salle Bankstown).

Eddy Nader at his family’s service station at Yagoona in 2004.

2. What do you like most?

I guess that most of family and friends still live here, and everything is just around the corner.
3. What is your favourite café/restaurant/bar and why?

I enjoy going to Bankstown Sports. It’s close and the options there are endless!
4. What is your best memory from living in this area?

Eddy Nader mopping up after bad weather flooded his service station at Chipping Norton last year. Picture: Stephen Cooper

There are so many, but nothing comes close to when the Bulldogs win a grand final.
5. Do you have a favourite park or outdoor space?

I don’t really have a favourite park or outdoor space, but I would say Lake Gillarwarna is nice.
6. What do you wish you could change?

Nothing! The character and foundations of Canterbury Bankstown comes from the people who have lived and currently live in this city. We have made it what it is, and that is a vibrant, multicultural hub that is unique to its residents.

7. What do you tell other people about your suburb?

People always have this misconception about Canterbury Bankstown, asking is it safe there, do you get scared living there? I tell them it’s the safest and friendliest place in Australia!