Richard Popczyk is a long-term Sunshine resident who works in real estate. He will celebrate his 80th birthday in early March. He spoke to Sam Porter about his memories of living in Sunshine.
What’s your connection to Sunshine?
I came to Australia in 1950 as a four year-old and we settled in North Sunshine in 1953. We came from Europe and we were then called ‘displaced persons’. My mum and I lived in a hostel in Mildura. My older brother and dad worked in the city and I think it was 1952, they bought a block of land in North Sunshine and built a bungalow. And when it was completed, mum and I came down and there were about five or six bungalows, two houses, no water, no electricity, no roads, nothing. There was one house with water and my dad had to pick up the water nearly every day.
Growing up here, I went to St Theresa’s and I was there for five or six years. Then I went to Our Lady’s in Sunshine for a couple of months and then went to Sunshine North Primary. I got into Sunshine High and finished my education there, got a job, and married a local girl from Ardeer, and ended up buying in Sunshine. I’ve been in the same house for about 50 years I think.
What do you like about where you live?
I find that it’s a very multicultural mix of people here which probably doesn’t get the recognition that it does. I’ve always felt Sunshine was pretty good to us, to me and my family. We all live around here. Sunshine has evolved. People have accepted that it’s a good area to live in and now people are very willing to come in and make their home in Sunshine and the surrounding suburbs.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I don’t think there’s much I’d change to be honest. The transport system maybe could improve a little bit, but overall it’s pretty good.
Where’s your favourite local place to spend time?
I enjoy the walk along the Kororoit Creek walkway. I used to ride my bike there but my legs aren’t as good now so I go for a walk from time to time. And Sunvale Park, that’s quite interesting. I walk through there and I’ll use some of the gym equipment they’ve got there.
What are your fondest memories of the area?
In the early part when we came to Sunshine, the original post office was a nice building that held fond memories. Around the railway line near the station there were very nice gardens there as well. Added a little bit of greenery to where the bus stop is there.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in Sunshine?
I think the popularity of the area. I could see the change and the popularity rise. I think [Sunshine] had a bit of a reputation, as well as Braybrook, which is the adjoining suburb. People looked down on it. It was never really that bad but there was a lot of publicity given to Sunshine if anything happened, which now has changed. You do get a little bit of publicity but what’s been a joy to me really is that people have started to recognise Sunshine as a good place to live.
