The Last Word – ex-supermodel, Liz Carberry

Why I love Subiaco WORDS | Gail Williams IMAGE | Matt Jelonek

BACK IN THE 1970s and 80s, when Liz Carberry was strutting the catwalk as a top Perth fashion model, she was a household name. A couple of decades on, and she is still living in Subiaco where she grew up, and where her father ran a dry cleaning business. She remains one of Subiaco’s most popular residents, known to customers of Chutney Mary’s, which she ran for many years.

She is a familiar face at St Lucia boutique, where she is always happy to have a chat with customers about fashion, styling, trends and of course - Subi.

What is one of your favourite childhood memories about Subi? Walking down Rokeby Rd to go to school across the railway line, and smelling fresh bread from the bakery.

Tell us about your father’s business. Dad had a dry cleaning business called ‘Like New’ at 183 Rokeby Rd - in Doyle Court. My Mum ran the shop, and we lived behind it for years. The factory was in Nicholson Road, where The Unicorn bar is now.

What led you to become involved with Chutney Mary’s? I was transitioning from running my model agency - Carberry’s - and my partner was in the hospitality industry and always loved that site on the corner of Rokeby Rd and Hay St. We knew we didn’t want to do another Italian restaurant, and we always felt Subiaco was lacking in good quality Indian cuisine as we’d seen and enjoyed in London. The timing was right, and it was a niche we loved filling.

You would have played host to some interesting visitors to the Regal when you ran Chutney Mary's. Were there any famous stars? Miranda Kerr came in and ate two serves of the Shorba soup - she had a cold! Barry Humphries came in, who was lovely and always wanted the same table. Paul Kelly came in, and of course, all of the local footy and basketball boys as well as plenty of Perthonalities! It was fun.

Where would we find you having a wind down drink on a Friday night? Juanita’s or Bar Loiter.

What are some of the hidden secrets of Subi? I love Forrest Walk with Lulu La Delizia, and Subiaco Common – the park is so beautiful and it makes me feel like I’m overseas. What makes a good bar and can you name some Subi favourites? A good bar is all about atmosphere, a great wine list and good food. I love Cherubino’s, it ticks all those boxes.

Who or what, in your opinion, has contributed most to the fabric of Subiaco? I think St John of God hospital really set up a nucleus for Subiaco that continues to this day. But it’s really everyone who lives here - past and present - that make up the fabric of Subiaco.

Is there a particular place in Subiaco that you believe sums up the personality of the suburb? I would say the markets at Subiaco Primary School - it has a village feel but a welcome atmosphere.

Favourite coffee haunt? Community or Hang’s Espresso - both do great coffee.

Subi wouldn’t be Subi without ... The memorial clock. Drop in at St Lucia Boutique (184 Rokeby Road) to say hello to Liz and pick up a beautiful new outfit too.