There is an old man who wanders about Richmond all day, everyday. Just from seeing him walking around on the street's, I can smell the mustiness of his old man's getup. Your regular beige slacks with a brown coat. He wears a little hat with a feather tucked in, from looking at him, I would imagine he would be pushing 80. I wonder if he fought in the War, or how long he has lived in the Richmond area?
I can see him any time of the day, on any day - if I drive to work, it can be 7.30am in the morning, or at 18.00pm at night. I actually saw him on Sunday as I was heading in to Collingwood. I know he has no family, I know he has no friends, but this man adds so much character to Richmond, it wouldn't be the same without him.
I wonder how many of the locals actually realise his existence? I really wonder what his name is? Sunday was the first time he saw me I think, we made eye contact as he was walking past and my car was at a halt. I made sure I gave him the cheesiest grin I could possibly muster, if I see him again, hopefully he will recognise me - he smiled, and seeing that, actually made my heart warm.
Richmond has a history of being a traditionally working class suburb, The exact details and history I am not to sure of, but there are a lot of old fashion miners style cottages around that are incorporated to the landscape. I has always been a blue collar area, that has been affordably close to the city. This is changing now, and a lot of people around here think for the worse.
Their are trendy apartments popping up all over the place, and the cost of living is increasing substantially, it's inevitable with the recent property boom that Australian cities have experienced, but its people like old Richmond man that will be suffering from the changing dynamics. Suburbs usually make gradual ascent, but the rate of growth here is amazing, and because of the diversity of the place, a lot of people will be negatively affected.
I wonder if the developers had a chance to see this old man walking around with his feather in the hat, would they still be so happy with all the money they are going to make with the redevelopments?
I understand it's all part of change and growth, but its all happening so quickly. If they do want to change the image of the area, they might do well to get rid of the commission housing, which is never going to happen, so the developers perhaps have to ask are they going to get valuable returns? Surely the commission flats depreciate the values substantially?
This is an area I will definitely keep my eye on. It doesn't feel like the community it did to so many only a mere 5 years ago, and when a suburb losses that feel, it can be most depressing. I think it is too late for Richmond now, as soon as Old Man Richmond meets his maker, that will be the last of what I know of the area, and I suppose the next page will be turned.
BAM!!!