Historical information

These photographs, taken by The Advocate in 1990, provide views of Hampshire Road, Sunshine, looking south towards Devonshire Road. The images document the appearance of Sunshine's principal commercial street and capture the character of the town centre during a period of ongoing change and development. The images capture various business including the Video Library, Westpac Bank, former Commonwealth of Australia Bank, John Kontek & Sons, Chemists, and a Watchmaker & Jewellers Shop.

Hampshire Road became Sunshine’s main shopping centre in the early 1900s, expanded rapidly through the 1920s–1930s, flourished as a social hub in the post‑war decades, and remains the suburb’s central commercial strip.

Early 1900s – First commercial strip forms
The section between 72–98 Hampshire Road began trading in the first part of the 1900s, with early businesses including hairdressers, fruiterers, grocers, confectioners, newsagents, fishmongers, and tobacconists.

1920s–1930s – Rapid expansion of shops
Multiple shop rows were built during this period, including:

68–70 Hampshire Road (built 1925)

72–98 Hampshire Road (shops operating by 1926–1930)

107–117 Hampshire Road (shops built 1923–1925)

Businesses included grocers, butchers, confectioners, wood yards, dairies, and general stores—typical of a growing working‑class industrial suburb.

1930s–1940s – Social and civic hub emerges
The strip became a major meeting place, especially around Homewood’s Café at 107–109 Hampshire Road, famous for its jukebox and proximity to the Sunshine Theatre, Town Hall, and Masonic Hall. It was a magnet for teenagers, servicemen, and families.

Post‑war era – Consolidation as Sunshine’s main centre
After WWII, Hampshire Road remained the suburb’s busiest commercial spine.
Key features included:

Cafés and milk bars

Butchers and grocers

Newsagents

Timber yards

Small specialty shops
This period cemented Hampshire Road as Sunshine’s civic heart.

1960s – Renaming and redevelopment
The section near the Town Hall (107–117 Hampshire Road) was renamed Sun Crescent in the 1960s, reflecting changes in road layout and civic planning

Late 20th century – Modernisation
Some older shop rows were demolished or redeveloped into service stations, townhouses, or new commercial buildings.
Examples include:

Demolition of the shop at 72 Hampshire Road (formerly Ted Whitten’s Foodland)

Redevelopment of timber yards into townhouse complexes

2000s–present – Contemporary Sunshine CBD
Hampshire Road continues as the primary retail and civic axis of Sunshine, hosting:

Restaurants and cafés

Grocers and specialty stores

Medical clinics

Banks and services

Civic buildings and public spaces

It remains the anchor of Sunshine’s designated Major Activity Centre.

Significance

These photographs are significant for documenting Hampshire Road, Sunshine's principal commercial street, during the early 1990s. They provide a valuable record of the appearance, layout and activity of the town centre at a time of ongoing change and development.

Physical description

Digital scans of black and white negatives

Inscriptions & markings

6846.01 - Sunshine Shopping Centre Hampshire Road Sunshine 1990 Photographs (Advocate 492.3).JPG

6846.02 - Sunshine Shopping Centre Hampshire Road Sunshine 1990 Photographs (Advocate 492.3).JPG

6846.03 - Sunshine Shopping Centre Hampshire Road Sunshine 1990 Photographs (Advocate 492.3).JPG

6846.04 - Sunshine Shopping Centre Hampshire Road Sunshine 1990 Photographs (Advocate 492.3).JPG