Landmark's restoration is good for the soul

Nostalgic Peninsula residents have been thrilled to see the restoration of the Old Woman’s Shoe on the Moorooduc Highway. The Baxter landmark, which had fallen into disrepair, was brought back to life and given a coat of vibrant yellow paint by the site’s owners last month.

Paul and Mat Youle, of Youley’s Garden Supplies & Premix Concrete, bought the property in October 2022 and, spurred on by the enthusiasm of their customers, were committed to resurrecting the shoe to its former glory. Originally created by Bata Shoes as a promotional float appearing in 1967 in both Frankston’s Australia Day Parade and Melbourne’s Moomba Parade, the big shoe is now set to enchant a whole new generation.

Since mending the shoe, the Youle brothers have been overwhelmed by the public’s response. Hundreds of people have shared their stories of what the shoe has meant to them via social media and in person. Some remember playing inside the shoe as children while their parents visited Two Bays Garden Supplies, the nursery previously on site. Several acknowledge the shoe as a yardstick signifying they’d nearly reached their grandparents’ place. A woman recalled her father sleeping in the float the night before the Frankston parade to prevent any vandalism.

Beyond its local fame, the repair of the shoe even garnered interest on national Facebook group Iconic Big Things in Australia. But perhaps the most rewarding moment for the Youles was when the son of the shoe’s maker contacted them to say how proud his father would have been to see his creation restored.