When MICK BARSON visited the Original Carrum Cowboy's Site he emailed the following

Hi,

I have just finished reading the site The Real Carrum Cowboys, and what a trip down memory lane it was, my name is Michael [Mick] Barson, the youngest of 3 brothers Roger & Trevor and the sons of Les & Grace Barson, we lived at 71 McLeod Road Carrum in the early 50's up until the 80's when Mum sold and moved to NSW.

I remember the Carrum Cowboys, and I remember them riding their horses past our house, The Grummet family lived a couple of houses away closer to Westley St, I think their were 11 children in the family. The names Laing, Guy & Dahlstom are all names familiar to me growing up, but names I haven't heard for 50 years or so, I am soon 60.

Smith & Sons doing the night pan's, with the pick up man yelling out Shit Man as he came down the drive, If you happened to be in the out house and shut the lid and kept very quiet, he still knew and would say, "Won't be a moment and I'll have a fresh pan in" or words to that effect.

The Milko with the horse, the baker delivering bread, a Green grocer and his Van selling fruit & vegies, such wonderful memories.

Our backyard flooded in winter, my brothers and I spent our time rabbiting, and hunting bird eggs out at Priestleys paddocks, as we got older we bought old cars and raced them around the paddocks, plus another called Murphy's which was closer to Carrum Downs / Seaford if my memory is correct.

Carrum Bridge was a favourite for jumping off, the railway bridge also was jumped off but we had to be careful as there were old pylons beneath the surface.

The 3 step shop, was a favourite for Spiders [fizzy drink & icecream]

McLeod Road Milk Bar, just a few doors away from our home, where my Mother purchased some of our grocery's on weekly credit, Broken biscuits could be purchased out of tins for just a penny, what a treat when we came across a cream biscuit even broken.

Viskers Corner at the top of McLeod Road, was a hardware plus store and sold everything imaginable

A lovely trip down memory lane and thank you for taking the time to document the era

Thank you Mick Barson

IAN BLACK'S email & photos.

Hi,

Ex Carrum bloke ~1950-1964 (When I went away to sea).

I stumbled across your 'Carrum Cowboy's site which rekindled a few memories especially Bossy Jones,who I remember as a bull of a man swimming up and down the river, and Bruce Hunter...I used to hang around with David and Keith as a lad.

I'm attaching a few photos dating from around 1960 of the 'Henley' festival held on and around the river. All those boats and girls...ahhh youth:)

There's also a general view of the river and bridges, and a beach scene near the Patterson River Motor Yacht Club looking south.

Anyway I hope that you find them interesting.

Regards,

Ian Black

Thank you Ian, very interesting!

Photos & email courtesy of Ian Black

Special thanks to contributors

Do you have any old Carrum photos or stories you would like to see on this site... email caroleiross@gmail.com