The Beach House Cafe at Victor Harbor: Ron samples some of the food and music on the Fleurieu Peninsula region of South Australia
Deep in the vaults of Channel Nine Adelaide, the old clips from rock shows like "Move" point to a time when Adelaide local Glenn Shorrock and his band Axiom dominated the charts. Rock legends like the late ACDC frontman Bon Scott cut their teeth in the pubs and clubs of Adelaide and later a young Jimmy Barnes would attract a loyal following at the Largs Pier Hotel.
All that was decades ago and far removed from the picturesque and peaceful setting of quiet Victor Harbor. It's a town synonymous with tourism and steeped in history going back to some of the earliest whaling settlements on the South Australian coastline. On picturesque Franklin Parade a local is doing his bit for rock'n'roll history - creating a venue where the greats of the Australian pub rock scene can relive their glory days.
The Beach House Cafe owner, Ray "Choco" Carroll prepares a pizza or two for the late afternoon trade. For Ray it's the calm before the storm. As a youngster, he spent many a night watching Aussie rockers in pubs like the Pier and the Bridgeway. As a Victor local, he was determined to create a live music venue on the coast, which harked back to those halcyon days.
Ray: “South Australia has got some great people who have come out of here. We've always punched above our weight.”
Ray's enthusiasm for live music remains undimmed despite the passing years. Back in 2000 he purchased a cream brick home on Franklin Parade and slowly set about creating his dream. Working on the theory that if you build it they will come, Ray and his wife Angela established a seaside cafe with a relaxed, casual feel. Limestone boulders for feature walls came from Hindmarsh Island, large beams from the Port Adelaide Woolstores and the assortment of carved wood marine life from a Yankalilla farmer who does amazing things with a chain saw.
As the sun set over Encounter Bay the day we showed up the punters were warming to a close encounter with Aussie rock legends "Mental As Anything". For the ‘Mentals’ too much rock'n'roll is barely enough with the band playing up to 130 shows a year in venues large and small - like this one. The Mentals started way back in 1977 with a unique brand of quirky rock'n'roll that's captured the imagination of fans the world over.
The Beach House Cafe is located at 62 Franklin Parade at Victor Harbor. Wendy Matthews is appearing on the 26th of July and legends Daryl Cotton, Jim Keays and Russel Morris are back on November 15th. To book contact 8552 4417.
The Beach House Cafe
62 Franklin Parade Victor Harbor
Wendy Matthews - July 26 2009
Darryl Cotton, Jim Keays & Russel Morris - November 15th. 2009
Bookings: 8552 4417Published 10th May 2009
