Bondi Stories, vol.1.

I
Acknowledgements
would like to thank everyone who contributed material to
this issue, and the many unique souls mentioned in their
stories, some of whom are among the dearly departed. It is
with great pride and a solemn heart that I respectfully
acknowledge the many voices contained in these pages.
A huge thank you goes to the artist, Victoria Peel, whose
pastel of South Bondi graces the front cover. Victoria’s greatgreat-great-uncle
was none other than Barnett Levey, who is
the subject of Bondi’s first larrikin, the last story in this issue.
Vicki’s good friend, Joolee Eadie, is to be thanked for her
photos of Andy Cochran, Barry Ross, Gary Moffatt, John
Eccleston, Robert Fox and Wally Newell. These appear with
the story by Robert Conneeley, entitled: The Hep Pit, which
was actually taken from an interview by Matthew Ellks, who
just happens to be his nephew.
I would also like to thank Margaret Dupré for her poem
and the accompanying photos, one of which is credited to
Dick Hoole, the surf film maker. In one of the photos,
Margaret appears with her daughters India and Saffron sitting
in front of the Pavilion. The decision to begin this first issue
of Bondi Stories with a piece by Margaret Dupré is both a
privilege and a tribute to one of Bondi's classic characters.
Thanks also goes to Greg Webber, for his delightful
vignette, entitled: Fuck Off, Trog!, and also for suggesting the
name Bondi Stories, instead of Scum Valley, which was the
original plan. Phil Leadley’s piece, entitled: The Lost Valley,
bemoans the loss of community at Bondi, only to rejoice in its
resurrection, through the bi-annual surfing contest and Old
School Bondi Crew reunion. Thanks also goes to Mark Coleman,
Richard Feyn, Michael Zaracostas, Lawrie Williams and Craig
Robinson for sharing their accounts of one notorious beach
inspector. Initially posted on Facebook, their comments
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