After moving to Brimbank more than two decades ago, Richard Carthew became a staunch community activist. He speaks to Ben Cameron about helping Black Saturday victims and his plans to get a bowls club off the ground at Sydenham.
How did you end up in Brimbank?
I’ve been here 22 years. I grew up in Ballarat, and the wife and I had a couple of kids; it was an affordable place to move to, so we moved to Sydenham.
What are your memories of back then?
We moved in after Boxing Day and, when I woke up the next morning, I could hear the cows mooing; there was nothing at the end of the street but paddocks.
So things have changed quite a bit?
Very much so. Back in those days, the closest set of traffic lights was at Keilor Downs shopping centre; now we can’t even get out of our street without traffic lights, so it’s changed quite a lot.
Is there a particular place you like to visit?
I’m secretary of the Brimbank Bicycle Education Centre at Green Gully Reserve. I like going there and doing bits and pieces, pottering around. Love a meal at the Taylors Lakes Hotel.
Are your kids still at home?
My daughter still is; she works for Monash University in Caulfield. Of my two sons, one is a plumber in Flemington and the other a graphic designer in Fitzroy.
As a former Brimbank Central Rotary Club president, you achieved a lot. How far back does your involvement go?
Been involved with Rotary 10 years now. My father was a Rotarian. I went to a meeting one night and I’ve been there ever since.
You helped raise a lot of money for Black Saturday bushfire victims, buying goods and delivering them. Is this a special memory?
It was a considerable amount, but I can’t put my finger on it. We raised the money then we bought fridges and trailers, organised sewing machines to go to certain people. It wasn’t a highlight – lots of people died – it was a challenge. We at the club, we’d go to clubs and individuals, instead of putting it into a big piggy bank and perhaps never getting it there.
So what are your plans for the future in Brimbank, and what are your plans to get a bowls club up and running?
I’m also a member of the Sydenham Historical Society and the fledgling Sydenham Bowls Club. We’re trying to establish the club on some vacant land on the Melton Highway. But the council is looking to sell the land … and make in excess of $3 million. [Starting up a new bowls club] is an issue that has slipped under the radar a bit.
