What is your connection to Melton?
My connection to Melton goes back to 1988 when I opened a branch of Home Entertainment Centres in High Street. Back then it was still a rather sleepy satellite city. Although I don’t live in Melton it has become my second home as I have spent the last 30 years doing business in the area, I consider myself a local.
You have been running the Home Entertainment Centre in High Street for many years, how has the business changed over the years?
Home Entertainment Centres was established in 1980 in St Albans, initially retailing all things home entertainment, then the computer revolution came along and completely took over the store. Eventually it branched out to four stores; St Albans, Melton, Werribee and Cranbourne. We rode the wave of success that came with the computer boom.
The shop is due to close at the end of this month after 37 years. What’s next for you?
Several years ago I decided to begin planning the wind down to retirement. I kept the Melton store as a back-up for my then teenage children in the event that they wished to continue
in the industry. With all the children firmly
set on their own career paths in the areas of their passions, it has become time to wind down and follow my desires for travel and adventures.
With keen interests and participation in motor racing, aviation, camping, boating, 4×4 touring, and overseas travel I will certainly not be left wanting for things to do. The people of Melton have been fantastic with their level of support for the business over the years and I would like to thank them very much.
It has been a pleasure to have been able to employ local Melton residents and to assist the schools with their work experience programs over the past 30 years.
You must have seen a lot of changes in the area. Tell me about the most memorable.
Melton over the years has continued to show explosive growth and has transformed from a regional town to a city, offering a full range of services whilst still maintaining that country feel. I can remember when High Street was the Western Highway with all traffic passing through town, with a constant stream of traffic passing our doors. Life on High Street changed once again with the opening of Woodgrove Shopping Centre becoming the new after-school hub for teenagers. The lack of traffic and the multicultural diversity that is now coming to Melton is enhancing the experience available in Melton. It has been great.
