By Tanya Faulkner
A community of young and old flooded to a historic site in the heart of Boronia this weekend to celebrate 50 years.
The Boronia Mall has marked half a century serving the Boronia community in style, throwing a true 1970s themed birthday party for locals to come together and take a step back in time.
Whilst several locals believe the mall is well overdue for a facelift, others embraced the celebrations and broke out their best 70’s brights and afros for the occasion.
Several hundred members of the community visited the mall and treated themselves and their families to a range of local stallholders’ goods, some delicious treats and a snag off the barbecue, while enjoying live entertainment from local bands and dance performances, including the Tempo Dance Company.
The Aussie Vets Op Shop also held a fashion show of their latest spring collection that can be shopped in store.
Overall it was a positive vibe surrounding the mall, full of reminiscing of what used to be – back in the day – and enjoying what the mall brings to the community.
Amongst those who attended the celebrations was Bayswater MP Jackson Taylor and Knox Mayor Cr Marcia Timmers-Leitch, The Rotary Club of Boronia and the Boronia CFA who took the time to educate locals on fire safety at home and preparation for the upcoming bushfire season.
Mr Taylor said it was a great community event celebrating the history of the Mall.
“Big thanks to the all those who helped put it together and to everyone who came out to celebrate 50 great years. Can’t wait to see the next 50!” he said.
Across the board, those who attended enjoyed the celebrations and reconnecting with the site.
One woman took to social media saying she loved seeing everyone there and the mall so busy.
“I loved watching an older lady in crowd dressed in Pink she danced happily. Folk really were happy,” she said.
For several locals, the mission now is finding new ways to rejuvenate the mall and encourage the community to re-engage with the site.
However, according to Mall Manager Lawerence Peresso, it is difficult because all of the stores are independently owned, which makes it difficult to manage everyone to work towards a common goal with the site.
He said the mall has its own charm, with the feature wall at the back being deemed ‘heritage’ and is home to Australia’s only remaining rotating stage.
Mr Peresso it’s something to be said that after all of these years the mall is still standing strong.
