Historic retail therapy

While bemoaning modern day Geelong’s city centre, many born and bred G-towners recall shopping’s halcyon days when Bright and Hitchcock’s ruled the retail roost.
These days, pigeons rule the roost, with the top floor of the iconic building deserted.
Ocean Grove’s Dianne Wallace fondly recalls her 12 years working at the department store that everyone in Geelong set foot in at one time or another.
“Bright and Hitchcocks was the place to shop for many years for service and quality of product,” Dianne recalled.
“It had a few names over the years with changes of ownership and finally closed its doors in 1979.
“I started there at 14 in the office, but hundreds of Geelong people went through there as staff members.
“It was the place where I learned my customer series skills. It was hard at times but that training lasted me a lifetime.”
Dianne said many of the former staff members were now elderly so she decided to hold a reunion to relive the memories.
The Brights department store reunion will be held on 15 April with a lunch at the Peninsula Hotel.
For more information, contact Dianne on 5255 2170 or 0439 490 201.