IT’S somewhere around 1970, the summer heat is rolling over Bunbury, school holidays have arrived and Christmas is on the way.
Children watch in eager anticipation as the big red truck pulls up at Guppy Park and mum, dad and daughter pile out and begin to unpack.
The empty park slowly begins to transform as a tent is erected around the truck, throwing shade over an intriguing collection.
The Guppy Park Penny Arcade has arrived, promising endless hours of amusement for Bunbury children and families across the summer holidays.
Long-time Spencer Street resident Donna Baker sat down with the Bunbury Mail to reminisce about her extraordinary childhood, growing up on the road as she travelled with her parents to bring delight to children across WA.
Mrs Baker’s father Ken Mealey came over to Australia from the UK in 1953, bringing a swag of authentic arcade games with him.
Mr Mealey was one of the founders of the WA Showbusiness Association and settled in Bunbury in 1964.
He and his wife set up the Penny Arcade at Jetty Baths, where people would flock to camp and enjoy the amusements on offer.
Depending on whether they preferred Beechies gum or Life Savers, children would line up to slot a coin in and flick the lever, trying to get the metal ball to shoot up and into the “win” tube.
- Memories of Bunbury's Penny Arcade.
The attraction took off when it moved to Guppy Park, offering games, trampolines, a merry-go-round, shooting gallery and more.
Depending on whether they preferred Beechies gum or Life Savers, children would line up to slot a coin in and flick the lever, trying to get the metal ball to shoot up and into the “win” tube.
“We would set up for six weeks at Guppy Park and then travel across WA to every country show you could think of for the rest of the months,” Mrs Baker said.
“I never had a normal Christmas Day, it was always at Guppy Park living in a tent – we would meet so many people.
“Everyone knew my mum for her long curly dark hair, people would say ‘that’s the Penny Arcade lady’.”
After her parents retired and eventually passed away, Mrs Baker moved into their home on Spencer Street and packed the games away.
But for 15 years, she would bring them out every year to take up to Perth’s Royal Show where people would flock to reminisce about the old days.
This year the show’s organisers have told her there is no room for the arcade games, but she is hoping they will make a return in years to come.
Mrs Baker and her husband are carrying on the tradition, hitting the road and taking more modern games and rides across the state to shows.
“I always say to my husband I will be happy if I never see another show, but it will always be in my blood – when I get there I think ‘Ahhh....I’m home’.”
