The Redlands, A childrens paradise

The Redlands has always been my home. I was raised in Cleveland, and loved it, our house was walking distance to Bloomfield Street, with views of the bay, but far enough from the centre to feel like a young child’s paradise. My grandparents lived next door, and we knew every family on our block, it really was a different time.

I’m only 34 so it wasn’t that long ago, but the next generation will certainly miss out on a lot of what we experienced that made our childhood so great in the Redlands. The prawn farm at Thornlands are now houses, where our beautiful family home once stood is now monstrous units, and the changes are numerous! Every storekeeper knew your name, and who you belonged too, many still do!

Despite the changes, the Redlands still has its community heart. We live in Thornlands now, are fortunate enough to have beautiful neighbours who also embrace the wonder of the Redlands.

Some of my favourite memories of living in the Redlands include riding our bikes in the empty Raby Bay Harbour with my Grandpa. Buying lollies from the little corner store near the Cleveland Primary School with Pop after riding around Cleveland for hours. My Dad tells me when he was a kid they used to get milk at school and it used to come from that little corner store. My dad’s 70, and he’s always lived in the Redlands. My Grandpa built his house with his bare hands, it was a masterpiece. We grew strawberries in the backyard, and Macadamias, oh the memories of cracking Macadamias in the workshop vice! We even had a coconut tree, which would infrequently provide coconuts! We handfed Magpies, Butcher Birds, and Kookaburras mince every afternoon at the back door, and sometimes the Frill Neck Lizard would pop by for a visit too! My Grandma kept the most gorgeous roses, and orchards, in a thriving patio and greenhouse. Growing up in the Redlands, was growing up in Paradise.

On the hill where the ANZAC Memorial now stands we would ride our home-made go-cart down the little path as fast as we could! Oh the grazes, I still bear the scars! Those were the days with not a care in the world!

My Parents were married in our front yard, and they had there photo taken in front of the Cleveland lighthouse, the photos look simply magical. When my husband and I got married 2 years ago, we had the same photos taken, in front of the lighthouse, it’s so special, so magical.  

I hope to be able to share with my children one day the wonders of the Redlands. They are still there behind the progress you just have to look! I love the Redlands and would not live anywhere else, ever.

There’s no where else I’d rather be.