Why growing up in Glen Waverley has been a ‘joy’ for locals
If you’ve spotted the towering Victoria Police Academy from a distance or had brunch at Mocha Jo’s, you’re from Glen Waverley. And here’s a few more places and faces you’ll love to remember.
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From spotting the towering Victoria Police Academy from a distance, to visiting the thriving Kingsway food precinct, growing up in Glen Waverley has been a “joy”, locals say.
Home to serene tree-lined streets and a major shopping centre, many people hold fond memories of the suburb.
Dozens of members from the Facebook group I grew up in Glen Waverley 3150 told Leader they remember the suburb in the 60s, when it was filled with apple orchards and winding paddocks.
Here’s how you know you’re from Glen Waverley.
You shopped at The Glen
Many locals still remember doing their weekly shop at The Glen when it opened in 1967 with only a Woolworths, Lindsays (which later became Target), and a few specialty stores.
The centre on Springvale Rd, Glen Waverley expanded in the 1980s and 90s with redevelopments, including the first suburban David Jones and other significant retailers.
Aussie band Bachelor Girl even filmed its Lucky Me video clip at the centre in 1998.
In July last year, the centre underwent its final major phase of its $430 million redevelopment, with a new indoor-outdoor dining precinct, revamped David Jones and 50 fashion and lifestyle stores.
You could spot the Victorian Police Academy from a distance
The site was built in stages and completed by 1959.
It was the main campus of Corpus Christi College from 1959 to 1972.
Victoria Police bought the site on October 30, 1972 and opened the academy in 1973.
It underwent a multi-million revamp between 2013 to 2014 to accommodate the training of an additional 1700 police and 940 PSOs.
Its chapel, which is used for weddings, Baptisms, and funerals for Victoria Police members, was built as a basilica and includes Romanesque arches.
You hung out at Century City Walk
Century City Walk opened in 1998 and was revamped in 2015. It includes a cinema, gaming venue, restaurants and cafes.
In the early 2000s it featured night markets with jewellery and food stalls.
For years locals have flocked to the popular Airstream Cafe or the Pancake Parlour for dinner before a movie or even for a late-night feed.
You had brunch at Mocha Jo’s on Kingsway
Kingsway’s Mocha Jo’s is a southeastern stalwart, which has been feeding foodies breakfast, lunch and dinner for more than a decade.
And in recent years people have been flocking to nearby restaurants including The Black Toro, Yo My Goodness and Piatella Cafe Bar.
The strip also features delicious Asian cuisine offerings including some of the best hot pot places in the city.
Since the early 70s, the it’s been a bustling food hub with many remembering having a meal at famed Italian restaurant Emilio’s.
It’s also been home to some of Melbourne’s best hairdressers including Rokk Ebony and the much loved Joseph of Italy, which shut its doors in the early 90s.
You had your birthday party at McDonald’s
McDonalds in Glen Waverley at 768-770 High St Rd served its first burgers in October 1973, and underwent a full makeover in 2016.
Who could forget taking a photo with Ronald McDonald and eating the sweetest Macca’s ice cream cake on your birthday?
It also opened a huge playground in the 90s, which included thrilling slides and a giant ball pit.
You always ended up at the Mountain View Hotel
It’s where you ended up after a big night down the road at the Burvale.
This pub featured Melbourne’s best cover bands every week including Crazy Haus.
Over the years, families have also enjoyed family a good pub meal, playing pool and watching live sports on the big screens.
You remember this famous face
Comedian Hamish Blake grew up in Glen Waverley.
He attended Glen Waverley South Primary School and Caulfield Grammar School and later St Leonard’s College in Brighton, graduating in 1999.
In 2003, Blake and comedian Andy Lee formed the highly successful Hamish and Andy drivetime radio show and later a TV show.