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Sydney Morning Herald
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Sydney Morning Herald
My suburb is an undiscovered slice of fresh air, and locals like it that way
When I tell people I live in Parkdale, I've come to expect a blank stare. They don't know where you're talking about. Sometimes, there will be a flare of recognition and then, 'Oh yeah, just by Melbourne Uni, yeah?' No, that's Parkville. It probably doesn't help that Parkdale has no actual parks of note, but was named 100 years ago after landowner William Parker. I next throw a few close-by suburbs or places at them. In between Mentone and Mordialloc? Beaumaris? Moorabbin airport? One of the beachside ' dales '? Oh yes, now they know where I'm talking about. Right by the bay, Beach Road, sea and sand, long walks on the beach, cyclists. Lovely. Yes, it is. It's all right that people don't know where Parkdale is. I think Parkdalians (this may or may not be the correct collective term, but I like it) prefer it that way. It's our little undiscovered slice of Melbourne suburbia that we would prefer to keep as is. A five-minute drive from Southland shopping centre and Moorabbin DFO. A Frankston line train station along Parkers Road. More cafes along the Parkdale shopping strip than a dog-walker can shake a dog-ball thrower at. The beach, the sea air, the seaside pathways encourage people to get out and about – so many healthy people, it would almost make you sick, if you weren't one of them joining in. Parkdale is ensconced among the industrial estates of nearby Braeside, Mordialloc and Moorabbin. People don't always appreciate the ecosystem of small industries and businesses that operates in these backstreets of affordable-rent workshops, garages and display rooms. Trophy stores, garage door parts, chocolate wholesalers, microbreweries and gin distilleries, furniture upholsterers – it's a piece of what remains of Australian small-scale manufacturing and retail. These are not the only growth industries in and around Parkdale. There seem to be a lot of primary and secondary schools in the area – state, Catholic and independent (these you can pick as they advertise their ATAR scores on billboards). All of these schools are excellent in their own way. For our busy family with three children, the decision came down to whether the kids could walk themselves to and from school. Believe me, when you see the long lines of traffic on Warrigal and Beach roads, with tired-looking parents picking up their tired-looking kids from school, it's a wise decision for all involved. As someone who grew up in country Victoria, with 90 minutes of school bus travel a day, I appreciate how accessible things are in Parkdale. Whether it's a beer or a coffee or a feed, everything is a few minutes' walk, and diverse foods are just a 15-minute drive at Springvale, Noble Park, Dandenong, Clayton or Oakleigh. On Friday nights, my mates and I used to drive from the country into Melbourne, a four-hour roundtrip, just to buy a souvlaki on Chapel Street and gawk at the crowds. Yes, we were bored in the country. Parkdale isn't perfect, of course. Before coming here, my wife (Vietnamese) and I (Maori) lived for some time in Keysborough, a more diverse suburb about 10 to 15 minutes to the east. Parkdale was a bit of a shock for us – a more 'traditional' Aussie suburb, with mainly traditional Aussies living there. Of course, everyone welcomed us to Parkdale, with a generosity of spirit. When you're out walking, it's lovely to receive friendly hellos from passers-by – especially when you haven't always had it.
The Age
12-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Age
My suburb is an undiscovered slice of fresh air, and locals like it that way
When I tell people I live in Parkdale, I've come to expect a blank stare. They don't know where you're talking about. Sometimes, there will be a flare of recognition and then, 'Oh yeah, just by Melbourne Uni, yeah?' No, that's Parkville. It probably doesn't help that Parkdale has no actual parks of note, but was named 100 years ago after landowner William Parker. I next throw a few close-by suburbs or places at them. In between Mentone and Mordialloc? Beaumaris? Moorabbin airport? One of the beachside ' dales '? Oh yes, now they know where I'm talking about. Right by the bay, Beach Road, sea and sand, long walks on the beach, cyclists. Lovely. Yes, it is. It's all right that people don't know where Parkdale is. I think Parkdalians (this may or may not be the correct collective term, but I like it) prefer it that way. It's our little undiscovered slice of Melbourne suburbia that we would prefer to keep as is. A five-minute drive from Southland shopping centre and Moorabbin DFO. A Frankston line train station along Parkers Road. More cafes along the Parkdale shopping strip than a dog-walker can shake a dog-ball thrower at. The beach, the sea air, the seaside pathways encourage people to get out and about – so many healthy people, it would almost make you sick, if you weren't one of them joining in. Parkdale is ensconced among the industrial estates of nearby Braeside, Mordialloc and Moorabbin. People don't always appreciate the ecosystem of small industries and businesses that operates in these backstreets of affordable-rent workshops, garages and display rooms. Trophy stores, garage door parts, chocolate wholesalers, microbreweries and gin distilleries, furniture upholsterers – it's a piece of what remains of Australian small-scale manufacturing and retail. These are not the only growth industries in and around Parkdale. There seem to be a lot of primary and secondary schools in the area – state, Catholic and independent (these you can pick as they advertise their ATAR scores on billboards). All of these schools are excellent in their own way. For our busy family with three children, the decision came down to whether the kids could walk themselves to and from school. Believe me, when you see the long lines of traffic on Warrigal and Beach roads, with tired-looking parents picking up their tired-looking kids from school, it's a wise decision for all involved. As someone who grew up in country Victoria, with 90 minutes of school bus travel a day, I appreciate how accessible things are in Parkdale. Whether it's a beer or a coffee or a feed, everything is a few minutes' walk, and diverse foods are just a 15-minute drive at Springvale, Noble Park, Dandenong, Clayton or Oakleigh. On Friday nights, my mates and I used to drive from the country into Melbourne, a four-hour roundtrip, just to buy a souvlaki on Chapel Street and gawk at the crowds. Yes, we were bored in the country. Parkdale isn't perfect, of course. Before coming here, my wife (Vietnamese) and I (Maori) lived for some time in Keysborough, a more diverse suburb about 10 to 15 minutes to the east. Parkdale was a bit of a shock for us – a more 'traditional' Aussie suburb, with mainly traditional Aussies living there. Of course, everyone welcomed us to Parkdale, with a generosity of spirit. When you're out walking, it's lovely to receive friendly hellos from passers-by – especially when you haven't always had it.
Courier-Mail
05-05-2025
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Epping home with luxury fit-out and commercial motorcycle workshop hits Melbourne's property market
An Epping home boasting a $250,000 man cave and workshop of one of the nation's top Harley Davidson custom builders is revving up for a sale. Owner Joe Pegoraro operates his global business 'Pega Custom Cycles' from the rear of the 936sq m block, crafting rose-gold choppers for clients as far as Dubai, India and Canada. The 22 Axebridge Circuit home and garage compound with room for up to 10 vehicles is being marketed with a $900,000-$990,000 price guide. RELATED: Melbourne Uni lists $8m+ 'crown jewel' mansion Must-see $9m Melb mansion stuns buyers Shock move in Melbourne home prices revealed That sum includes the garage with a fully tiled showroom-style workspace, a separate build bay, professional tools and cabinetry, built-in sound system, dust extraction fans, split-system heating and cooling, and even a second kitchen and toilet for business use. The Pegoraros, who are downsizing after five years in the home, said the workshop was a passion project built to accommodate Joe's booming business. Their grandkids have also loved riding scooters and playing across the property and the park located across the road. 'It's been amazing living here,' Mrs Pegoraro said. 'We've had Christmases, birthdays, so many special memories, but it's time for someone else to enjoy it.' Ray White Wollert director Mike Assaad is handling the sale and said 'it is a serious space.' 'You could run just about any kind of trade or creative operation out of this, cabinet making, mechanics, catering, even a boutique salon,' Mr Assaad said. The agent added that the space was so polished it felt like a showroom. 'There's even an 'OPEN' sign out front of the garage,' he said. 'You're getting a turnkey family home and a full-scale commercial workshop in one. 'There's just nothing else like it in Epping.' Inside, the four-bedroom residence has been thoughtfully renovated, with warm timber floors, stone accents, and expansive open-plan living that flows from a stylish kitchen into multiple dining and relaxation zones. The rare dual kitchen design includes a full secondary set up at the rear, originally used as a staff lunch room, perfect for any home business or independent family living scenario. A private main suite with double windows and pendant lighting creates a resort-style retreat. Outdoors, a string-lit alfresco with a ceiling fan and sandstone entertaining table offers a backdrop for Sunday barbecues. A remote front gate, CCTV, ducted heating and cooling, and a landscaped front garden with manicured hedging add, but for the right buyer, the real prize will be the backyard workshop. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Cafe in Melbourne's inner north comes with unusual feature Eight bidders push Frankston North house to new record Inside quirky Kinglake house made from 13,569 bottles
