I wrote an article, back in 2005, about the old Hat Factory on Sherbourne Rd. (Fort Knox storage), mainly discussing the significance of the heritage listed landscaped gardens (Heritage Overlay Number HO246), which remain relatively intact (the article is still available on the eltham.com/press website). After the factory closed sometime in the 1970s, it stood unused for several years before redevelopment began in the 1980s. During this period, a skate boarders’ scout party discovered the empty fishpond (once a feature of the landscape design) and a legend was born. Word got around and guys were travelling two hours by train to hang there. Unfortunately the abandoned building was vandalised (not necessarily by the skaters) and became an eyesore, subsequently the fishpond was filled in.
One of the guys who started the legend: Noel Forsyth has written “A History of Victorian Skateboarding”. In it he describes the significance of the “Eltham Fish Pond” to skateboarding. It has some great old photos from 1977.
HERE: http://www.vicskatehistory.com/part9.htm
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I skated the hatty for 4 years. One of the best time of my life. My favourite trick was a lay back grind. About 40 kids turned up every weekend and one hot Saturday 1988..I think. But the Bones Brigade were in Melbourne. We decided not to skate the hatty that very day. That was rare. Well what happened Tony hawk and Lance Mountain…regret!! Then few years later they filled it in????