Photo:
George on the way to his labour of love.
Corner of Jonson & Lawson Streets, 1972.
Pic: R Miller
In the early seventies a silver haired, stocky built
Greek immigrant, George Feros, each morning could be seen
cleaning the walkways and street at the beach end of Jonson
Street where the Beach Hotel is presently. This daily self
imposed mission restored half of the then CBD from the previous
day's usage.
Then in the evenings at the Top Pub, as the crowds frolicked
and danced to the live rock bands George would circulate
through the throngs of rocking, smoking and drinking people,
gently waving his hand bell asking for donations towards
his dream, the building of an aged persons home.
As the years progressed, people warmed to his persistent
sincerity of mission, giving more coins and notes. George,
the sound of his bell and the small wooden white, red and
blue donation box became a Byron icon. When George passed
away the amount he had accumulated was parlayed and manifested
into the Christine Vadez designed George Feros Memorial
Hostel.
