In 1924 Pyrmont was a distinctly working class suburb, and a lot of the working class were Catholic. As a consequence the property next to St Bede's church (which was founded in 1867 and can be glimpsed near the pedestrian walking up the footpath) was established a Catholic primary school.

Pyrmont now is not what it was then. The industries moved out from the 80's onward and the suburb at first decayed, then gentrified. The school was closed (I know not when) and in the last year or two the Blue Eye Dragon Taiwanese Restaurant (which was previously in Harris St on the other side of this block) moved in.

I don't normally go out of my way to get Chinese food but the food here is exceptionally good and I really must visit again. And again.

The reason for us being here was less enjoyable, though, or more enjoyable depending on your perspective. The guy who ran the section that I originally worked in in my current job (and who interviewed me and offered me the position, then promoted me to my current one) has left the company to move on to a new position elsewhere. This is the day and place that we had his farewell lunch.

In a way, he will be missed and that's bad.

In another way, he's got a whole new range of opportunities, and that's good.

And much as I would perhaps not have said this 5 years ago... I do think that sometimes people can stay in the one place too long.

And it's not him that I'm thinking of when I say that.

Last Year