My suburb was like a dozy old uncle. And then it discovered designer threads

Carnegie was for a long time a place of zero ambition. It was content to shuffle sleepily through life with no aspiration beyond maybe retaining a bank for its main drag, Koornang Road.

Like the dozy old uncle at a wedding (the one whom no one quite remembers which side of the family he’s from), Carnegie was content in its metaphorical baggy, brown-wool cardigan with leather plaited buttons. The surrounding south-east suburbs were resigned to their unwanted proximity.

Father Ormond – who long considered itself “a bit above the rest”, was reluctant to be linked in any way. Stately and regal, Ormond’s sneer expressed its displeasure with Carnegie’s geographical location.

Mother Murrumbeena – who, despite being largely anonymous (er … yeah, Murrum, er, thingy, up on the Gold Coast somewhere, right?) was oblivious, power-drunk on its proximity to the ever-growing Chadstone shopping centre.

So Carnegie drowsed through the years, slowly growing shabbier and less “des res” in real estate language.

This meant that people wishing to live “not too far out” could find a house there at a manageable price. Its lack of elan, panache – and other words used to entice potential buyers – meant it also failed to entice developers. Unlike neighbouring McKinnon, Carnegie could not lay claim to the golden words “in the zone” (a phrase meaning within the area entitling your child to attend the highly regarded and desirable public school, McKinnon Secondary College).

When I naively told a slightly snobbish friend that I had found a small but affordable, pretty art deco house in Carnegie, in a quiet side street branching off the delectable Leila Road, I was firmly instructed to tell everyone that the house was actually in Ormond. She said that under no circumstances must I confess to buying in Carnegie. This would apparently ruin my children’s marital options.

Defiantly, we moved in to our shameful address, and with some amusement watched as Carnegie began to change.

Koornang Road is a wonderful shopping strip, and unlike those in many sad and forlorn suburbs, has blossomed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon, Aldi trolleys were mingling with designer handbags and Miu Miu was jostling against Big W at the fruit barns. Uncle Carnegie had shed his brown cardigan, got some decent threads, and was now on Tinder!

Carnegie’s cafes and restaurants started to receive frequent mentions in various publications (including The Age) for their quality, experience, value for money … and diversity.

Excellence begets excellence, and more eateries appeared. You can now expect Korean, Mexican, Russian, African Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Polish, Mediterranean, modern Australian and French – all doing brisk and fabulous business, along with bakeries, patisseries, new-age shops, fresh fruit and vegetable emporiums ... the list goes on. The delightful Cafe Perri by the railway station obtained fame for its $2.50 espressos, with absolutely no compromise on taste.

The new railway station and elevated train line has improved traffic flow to an astonishing degree, given how popular the area now is. The reclaimed land underneath has been put to excellent use with a basketball court, table tennis, a cycle track and grassed areas.

Sporting facilities in Carnegie are well maintained by the local council. Packer Park is my favourite. The oval is in high demand, and the large adjoining pavilion is available for hire.

There’s a diverse and sizeable children’s play area, including several pieces of rare equipment that several sheepish fathers have been observed “trying out”. Packer Park has a lovely wetlands area, and it is possible to convince yourself you are actually in the bush, until you see a council gardener crouched beneath the shrubs staking baby trees and weeding. There’s plenty of parking on several sides of the park, including disabled spots.

Koornang Park is also superb and has the advantage of being close to the end of the tramline. It abuts Lord Reserve – both are on Munro Avenue – and boasts three sports ovals and cricket nets.

Close by is Carnegie’s very own historic swimming pool. Not long after reaching its half century, it sprung a leak, but is due to re-open this summer. Situated in a beautiful spot, we are promised an aquatic facility with period features and all of the mod cons.

Of course, the downside of all this is that Carnegie is now highly desirable to buyers and developers. Suddenly aware that this gem had been overlooked for years, prices have been driven upwards.

Some older homes have been demolished and replaced by town houses and units, causing ruffled feathers and upset, while some controversial high-density living construction has caused dismay.

It is, of course, impossible to please everyone, and occasionally – anyone.

I was proud to stay in Carnegie and now live in a modern house, with a delightful older house next door. I may not have views of the bay, but I hired artist Lukey Soma to paint a mural on my side of my neighbour’s garage. I can now gaze, from my sofa, on Australian parrots and a giant blue fairy wren beneath an incongruous Caribbean sunset!

Linda Himmelfarb is a Carnegie resident. Her children were able to find partners despite the warning described in the article. Linda can be found enjoying her suburb with her deeply unpleasant chihuahua.

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