Paddington Postcards

Dear Paddington,

I moved here from Toronto in April 2023 and it immediately felt like home to me. Everyone is so friendly, and there are so many cool businesses here. I feel so lucky to be living here! ~ Tash

I love that when I moved home from living overseas, my friend Tash moved over after, and we made a home in Paddington together! Now I can show her the lovely birds, nature, food and community of my country! ~ Sarah

I love living in Paddington because of my family history… it’s really special to think of my grandmother here 80 years ago! ~ Genevieve

I lived in Bardon with my husband, son and Kelpie, Artemis, until our rented house was sold with vacant possession. Shopped and banked in Paddington; bought a couple of t-shirts in Retro Metro; Calico House was always interesting; went to the Paddington Hardware store because it was better than Bunnings at times. My husband volunteered with Communify before he passed away and I came back because of the Festival. ~ Dorothy

At uni in 1985, I had a friend who lived in a big Queenslander on the corner of Great George Street, and we used to regularly play putt-putt golf through the house! We worked out an 18 hole course! ~ Brett

I loved Le Scoops cafe and ice-cream on the corner of Given Terrace! I worked for Michel Thompson before buying the “Michel’s Sorbet” ice-cream manufacturing, and moved to James Street mid-late 1990s ~ Joy

Portait by Val Waring, 1985

I love walking up and down the streets with my dog and stopping to talk to other people with their dogs! ~ Molly

I remember going to King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut and drawing on the tablecloth! ~ Robyn

I loved the Kookaburra Cafe and their massive pizza! Had many a night celebratig there, and Cafe Neon (or Dirty Caff!). ~ Angie

“Paddo” is the perfect definition of Home Sweet Home in the BEST STATE of AUSTRALIA! Go Maroooooooons! XOXO ~ Gabi

My family grew up in a beautiful Queenslander on Bellavista Terrace. The story is that it was named after Auntie Beatie (she was apparently quite a ‘bella’!). My other Great Auntie (Cissy) was also murdered in Bardon, on Simpsons Road. ~ Felicity

My Grandad, Jack Heath, lived in Given Terrace. His wife was Lillie. I remember as a child going to a local grocery store - where the bookshop is now on the corner of Given and Latrobe Tces - fruit was in boxes on display. Everyone knew everyone!

My Grandad grew dahlias in his backyard that he would show at the Botanical Gardens. Paddington has many fond memories for me. ~ Tracey

I love Paddington because it was the first place I chose a house with the love of my life! ~ Douglas

I love Paddington because it is unique, walkable and it has lots of shops and restaurants everywhere, and that people are nice. ~ Maisie

Hope and Anchor Sketch by Allan Honor

I love the community spirit in Paddington, and all the lovely shops on the strip! ~ Caitlin