Author // Shannon Edwards, Place Bulimba
From backyard footy training to ruling rugby stadiums, ‘The King’ takes us back to where it all began.
Sharing stories of his childhood, Wally Lewis reminisces on his old stomping ground, Cannon Hill, where he first found his love for rugby league.
What was the area like when you first moved there?
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When I was a boy, my parents bought their first home on Creek road.
Back then it was a rural street - always quiet and peaceful - very different from the busy main road of today.
I remember sitting on the fence with my brothers watching cows cross from one paddock to another.
What attracted your family to the area?
It was an affordable suburb close to the city where everyone moved as it was easy to commute to work – it was a working mans’ area.
At the time, a lot of the locals also purchased businesses in the area... we were one of those families!
My mum bought a business very close to home so our entire living and working life was in Cannon Hill.
There are many great local schools in the Cannon Hill catchment, making it a solid area to raise a family.
My parents still live in the same house - it’s our family home.
Having been there for such a long time, they’ve really become part of the Cannon Hill community.
What are some of your fondest memories of growing up in the area?
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Every afternoon I would wait on the front steps for dad to come home so we could play rugby together in the backyard.
From a young age, dad would teach me the basics of the game.
I had a mate who lived over the fence that would come over every afternoon and play games with me against my brothers.
My family and I were very heavily involved with sport in the area.
I played footy at the Cannon Hill Stars Rugby League and would train after school.
Over the years, we built a really close association with the grounds.
Growing up I built strong friendships in the area and am still friends with many of them today.
The boys I played footy with as a kid were the groomsmen at my wedding.
Having grown up in the area, you must have seen a lot of change?
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When the drive-in theatre and Kmart precinct were constructed on Creek road, the suburb grew up quickly.
From there, the gateway bridge was a major progression and a big sign of growth for Cannon Hill.
These days, it’s a new-age area with many modern developments, but it’s still a great family suburb.
I drive through the suburb every day on my way to Channel Nine.
The area is constantly changing and developing – it’s fascinating.
I still see those old, classic elements of Cannon Hill that bring back recollection of my upbringing.
Spending many years in the suburb has had a huge impact on my life and has given me many enjoyable memories.