Author // Shannon Edwards, Place Bulimba
You’ll see her being stopped in the street by families and locals saying hello to this popular local teacher.
Wondall Heights State School’s Kay Heidke has made her mark in the inner-east of Brisbane, having spent 36 years as a local teacher at several schools in the area.
Since packing her bags and making the journey from a rural country town in Northern New South Wales to pursue her studies in Queensland’s “big smoke,” Kay never looked back.
We met with Kay in her family home at Balmoral where she reminisced with us on when she first moved to the city, riding her pushbike down (the then quiet) Riding road to her local school.
Kay’s love for the community radiated as she shared with us stories from her past.
What do you love about living in Balmoral?
This suburb is the hub of our world, everything is at our fingertips.
When I moved to Brisbane, I was the country girl coming to the city for the first time.
I was brought up on a sugarcane farm in Northern New South Wales and immediately I was blown away by the modern conveniences of inner-city living.
I met my husband here and together we raised our three beautiful children.
We come from humble beginnings and have enjoyed all that Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne has to offer.
Growing up, my children we’re involved with a lot of sports, so the fields and sports courts in the area have played a big part of our lifestyle for many years.
The aspect of riverside living has added luxury to our lives.
There’s something special about lounging in the parks and enjoying the river breeze, or catching the City Cat across to South Bank for a weekend dinner.
How has Bulimba and surrounds changed over the years?
Bulimba has evolved a lot over the 36 years that we’ve been here.
Back in the day the streets were quiet and, apart from a convenience store, there was basically nothing here.
The most exciting aspect of the street was the Oxford Hotel, now known as 152, where teachers used to hang out for a Friday lunch hour as a treat.
I’ve loved watching shops, restaurants, cafés and businesses pop up and evolve along the main strips over the years.
What do you love about teaching in this area?
With Bulimba having such a strong sense of community, it’s nice to still be able to run into the children I taught back in 1982.
It’s wonderful to walk down the street and see my students all grown up, many with children of their own.
I still remember them at a young age and they still greet me as ‘Miss’.
It feels really special to be recognised as the local teacher who has taught generations.
Over the years my family has been stopped in the streets and told “your mother taught me in primary school!”
That’s a nice feeling and you feel appreciated that you’ve contributed to the community.
This area is very much a part of who we are.