ORAL HISTORY (AUDIO): WEARNE, LESLIE 'TED'

Leslie Wearne was born in 1919 and grew up in the suburb of Subiaco. During the interview he describes his childhood memories of life in the area. He recalls the family home at 90 Hamersley Road and recalls the local area of his childhood, remembering the numerous attractions within the suburb. Included in this interview are Les’s remembrances of Hamersley road being surfaced in the 1920s. Les also recalls Rokeby Road in the 1920s and 30s and speaks of the many changes that he has witnessed over the last 80 years. He recalls the Coliseum Theatre; relating its importance to the children in the area and its role as a place of entertainment within the community. Les was also an avid player and spectator of sports. During the interview he recalls the Subiaco Oval and the football and cricket matches played there. He recalls watching a number of football matches played on the Subiaco oval in the 1920s. He relates the numerous players and the heroes associated with the Subiaco football team of his youth. Les would become involved in the local Subiaco cricket team and he relates a number of stories associated with his involvement in the sport. Following World War Two, Les would go into the real estate business with his father. Located in Rokeby Road since the late 1940s, Les discusses Wearne Pty Ltd. in some detail and looks at the way that real estate has altered in Subiaco and throughout Western Australia. By looking back at Subiaco of the 1920s to the Subiaco of 2008, Les helps to paint a clear picture of the way Subiaco has changed. The interview was conducted by WJE Bannister in 2008 and there are 4 CDs
Interviewee: Leslie Wearne
Date of Interview: 2008
Interviewer: John Bannister
Transcriber: Joe Blake
Indexer: Shelley Campbell