In 1948, Ron and Claire Grose couldn’t get a building permit because they didn’t have a family. Not only was there was a housing shortage after the war, but also a materials shortage. Many newly-wed couples moved in with their in-laws or rented, as did Ron’s brother, moving in with his wife’s parents. Ron and Claire decided they didn’t want a family until they had a home. They shared a house with the Drake-Brockman family in Buxton Street, Mt Hawthorn for about a year, before managing to get a house themselves in Mt Hawthorn where they stayed for a couple of years.
Claire remembers it was a change of government that allowed them to begin building in City Beach. They were only allowed to build twelve and a half squares. Ron says it was hard to get bricks, hard to get tiles and plumbing was a ‘bit’ difficult, as it was hard to get copper. Claire laughingly called the builders ‘devils’ saying they would put copper as far as you could see, but the rest would not be copper, so it was a bit tricky.
It took just 12 months to build. A load of Limestone was delivered first to prepare the foundations and the brickies continued on from there.
Ron said they extended numerous times, building a dining room, front entrance hall, a garage and a big bedroom at the back. Ron said, of course, he built a workshop at the back too.
The house is gone now and Claire said it was sad really, to see it go. She remembered a beautiful block with a beautiful view, with tiers climbing up the backyard, and an ocean view.
Follow The Old Plank Road 