Raindrop fountain still has fond memories for loyal Roselands shoppers
CHERRYN Xenos was only 17 months old when her parents took her and her siblings to the opening of the Roselands shopping centre in 1965, and she still goes there.
The Express
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CHERRYN Xenos was only 17 months old when her parents took her and her siblings to the opening of the Roselands shopping centre in 1965 but she can still recall the clowns making her laugh.
And remarkably Mrs Xenos still shops at the iconic centre which set the standards in an era where such a one-stop shop was a rarity.
Roselands turns 53 on October 12 and Mrs Xenos, 54, said it is still very much a part of their lives.
The shopping centre, owned by Vicinity Centres, is starting a massive $90 million redevelopment which will bring in Woolworths and Aldi stores for the first time.
“I shop here three to four times a week and my daughter Anastasia still has to have her olives from the same shop, Delicasella, because she won’t eat from anywhere else,” Mrs Xenos said.
“I worked at Grace Brothers and Anastasia also worked as a hairdresser for several years at the centre and if and when I have grandchildren I will bring them here.
“Anatastia used to go for dancing classes four times a week and we have been to every main event that Roselands has had over the 53 years.”
Great grandmother Marie Benjamin Boa, remembers massive crowds and traffic chaos the day Roselands opened — but she was unable to go because she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant with her second child, Todd.
“I am glad I did not go for the opening because I would been crushed as I was pregnant,” said Mrs Boa, 82, whose sister worked at Roselands in 1965.
“I was able to see the shopping complex before it officially opened when I was given a tour.
“I remember my husband had to tell a few motorists to keep our driveway clear as they were parking all over down Martin Street, where we used to live.
“We used to bring my eldest daughter Shelley for her dancing and she also did some modelling at what was the biggest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere.
“I remember the raindrop fountain and even now when I meet my friends for lunch here, we always say ‘we will meet at the place where the raindrop fountain used to be’.
“Shopping is not what it used to be because of all the renovations going on so I can’t wait for the new developments to be completed because it will be fabulous.”
Vikki Fisher was five years old when Roselands opened and says the shopping centre is very much a part of their family, with her son Levi, 27, also frequenting the venue.
“There are no other centres like this and it was so exciting to come here as a child,” Ms Fisher said.
“I am delighted about the developments because the whole world is changing and this will bring Roselands into the 21st century.
“The raindrop fountain was my favourite and I used to wonder how it worked.
“It is a still a good place to meet people.”
Roselands Centre Manager Leigh Galvin said he was chuffed to hear that shoppers, who had been there from the onset, continue to patronise the venue.
“It’s wonderful to hear stories about the centre’s grand opening in 1965 from customers who still shop with us today,” Mr Galvin said.
“We love that we are able to share in their fond memories, as well as celebrate what’s to come as part of the centre’s redevelopment mid-next year.”
The new section is due to open in mid-2019.