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Dame Edna's Moonee Ponds: Then and now

As we farewell the grand dame of Moonee Ponds with her final tour, Eat Pray Laugh, Time Out takes a trip to that north-western ’burb

First published on 21 Jun 2012. Updated on 22 Jun 2012.

Edna May Beazley was born in Wagga Wagga before becoming Mrs Norm Everage and moving to Melbourne suburbia, seven kays northwest of Melbourne’s CBD.

Time Out compares Moonee Ponds for the ‘average Australian housewife’ in 1955 – the year Edna began her stage career – with the modern-day stats.

Three-bedroom house price

Drives

1955	If anything an English-made Ford, Morris or Vauxhall. More likely to walk or catch a tram or train
2012	Likely to be a Mazda 3

Worries about her children...

1955	...becoming a milk bar hood in the form of a bodgie or widgie, or living in sin
2012	...becoming a Flinders Street Station steps emo, or releasing a sex tape and becoming one of the Kardashians

Entertainment

1955	Drama serials, quiz shows and music on the wireless in the living room
2012	A picnic at St Kilda Beach, dances at the Moonee Valley Town Hall, movies at the Skyline Drive-in at Preston, Queen's Park Swimming Pool

Would never...

1955	...go on an outing without hat and gloves
2012	...dare serve other people's children peanut butter or milk at a party

Likely to name her children

1955	Jennifer, Susan, Christine, Peter, John, Robert
2012	Mia, Ruby, Olivia, Jack, William, Oliver

Exotic cuisine

1955	Chinese in Bourke Street in the city
2012	Italian, Greek, Malaysian, Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese – without even leaving the suburb

Average age of bride

Divorce rate per 1,000 women

Eat, Pray, Laugh: Barry Humphries' Farewell Tour. Her Majesty's Theatre, Jul 19-Aug 3. $129-549.

Area Guide,