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In the lead up to this year’s 80’s themed event, we asked Lora Davies, Site Director Operations and Director of Nursing at Bundoora Centre, what she was doing in the 80’s. Read her story below.

What were you doing in the 80’s?

In the 80’s I had just completed Junior School in Montmorency and was ready to move into High School. I had mixed feelings about it naturally – moving out of my comfort zone to a new school, that too a technical school. The bright side was there were only 12 of us girls and 120 boys!

I used to travel to Apollo Bay every weekend to see my grandparents which I really looked forward to as they would spoil me silly. They had a lovely garden and I looked forward to picking the roses in the garden. My grandparents lived across the road to the beach and I could smell and see the beach from their lounge room. They would treat me to ice cream from the ice creamery down the road. My favourite flavour was coffee – which was the only way I could get coffee at that age!

I remember going to the movie Footloose and – it was my first time at the movies by myself and the start of my independence. I can’t forget seeing Kevin Bacon on screen. I have had a crush on him ever after. I have watched every movie he’s ever been in since!

Did you go to any concerts or festivals? 

Festival Hall was my favourite concert venue.

There was no bigger thrill than seeing Noiseworks, Boom Crash Opera, Motley Crew and Alice Cooper. I was there when Alice bit the head off a snake!

I remember listening to ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham when it came out in 1984. It came out at the same time Band Aid released ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ I have not outgrown that song and still listen to it every Christmas.

My other favourite band was Noiseworks – my favourite tracks were ‘No Lies’, and ‘Love Somebody’. I just love John Stevens really, the lead singer.

What was your favourite thing to do on a Friday/Saturday night?

On a Friday night I would hit the roller skating rink called Roller City Eltham. I was quite a proficient roller skater, though I haven’t attempted it in recent past. Then I moved onto the Blue Light Disco, which was in Doncaster. It was intended for my age group – 14 – 18 years and I couldn’t be taken off the dance floor when the DJ played AC/DC.

What was the daggiest 80s outfit you wore? Do you have a photo?

It was my favourite white fluro Wham top – which I would wear every time I went out to the disco. Thankfully I don’t have a photo to remind me!