The Northcliff Melville Times community newspaper has had the privilege of writing about our communities for almost 50 years.
It is through the pages we print that stories are told about individuals, organisations and events that colour the lives of our readers.
Through the decades, the layout and visuals of the paper have gone through many changes as current trends and styles evolve. Today is no different. While many of the tweaks we have made are subtle, we hope you will better enjoy reading the stories our journalists work so hard to write.
The publication spoke to three locals who have cut out clippings of articles written in days gone by to keep as precious mementos of their lives.
Carol Penny lives in Greymont and has a framed article that her mother Joan was in. Mom sent some photos to the paper of fond memories of Roosevelt Park from the 50s and 60s. I will never forget her sheer delight at a whole half-page devoted to her story. Her phone rang off the hook with her old neighbours from Scully Street excitedly calling her to talk about it.
Penny said she and her sisters were thrilled to see their mother in the paper.
Joan passed away in 2015 and this framed article hangs in Pennys home as a treasured picture for her, and others to enjoy.
Harry Tambourlas is an accomplished jazz musician who performs as Harry Talas. For many years, he has been known not only for his musical skills and dry wit but for his professional prowess as an optician. His clinical and creative abilities have earned him recognition over the years in the Northcliff and Melville Times. “I was always so grateful that someone would come and talk to me and recognise me for what I do,” said Tambourlas, whose walls at his home and practice have showcased his appearances in print.
Valerie Ettershank, a long-time resident of Northcliff, has two great passions, art and nature. Her love for these subjects is evident in her work which has been featured numerous times in the publication. As a self-taught artist, she has held eight solo exhibitions and has created a significant body of work.
Her passion for art began at a young age. She recalled her school days at Roosevelt High School where she was part of the first class to matriculate. “There were only 20 of us so subjects like art were not on the curriculum,” she said.
However, this did not stop her from pursuing her passion and she continued to develop her skills on her own, experimenting with different mediums and techniques.
Over the years, she has become a well-respected artist in the community. In the picture of her, Etterhank is holding a cutting about her art that was stolen from her car. “My art was never found, but hopefully it found a good home on somebody’s wall.”
