1963 - 1968: Sunshine, "The Shop" and Greg's Recycling Efforts

From February 1963 until May 1968 the family owned "The Shop", a Mixed Business with a residence and large back yard at 56 King Edward Avenue, Sunshine.

Frank thought he would take a break from the building industry. Frank and Margaret spent some time visiting Ken and Jean Buckley (Margaret's brother and wife). On advice from Ken who was already in a successful Mixed Business in Nydrie, North Essendon, Margaret and Frank invested in what was fondly referred to as "The Shop" in Sunshine. "The Shop" was a good size with a large News agency section which set it apart from the other businesses in the area.

Jenny started school across the road from the shop at St Theresa's. Cathy helped Margaret and Frank in the shop (with the eggs !!) and Greg was born during the family's stay in Sunshine.

The family in the backyard of the "the shop".

" The Shop"with living quarters on the right hand side.

Frank behind the counter.

Frank recalls: One day in "the shop" after school, there was a long queue of children lined up at the front counter, all with a glass bottle in their hand. Drinks were sold in glass bottles at the time. Normally returned bottles would be handed over in exchange for a small bag of mixed lollies for the children. When I saw the exceptionally long queue, I asked one of the boys where they were getting the bottles from and was told, "The little boy down at the back fence is giving the bottles out to us." The little boy turned out to be a very young Greg (about 3 years of age) ! Greg was freely and generously passing the empty bottles from the storage crates in the back garden to the children through the back gate. I soon put a stop to that !!

Pa Hawkins (Frank's father who had recently retired) helping to sort the bottles

The front entrance to the "The Shop" in 2019. It has been an extension of the house
for many years when it ceased being a shop.

The living quarters to the right hand side, tastefully renovated with the
original double front door still intact. Advertised for sale for $600,000 January 2019.