Format: Oral History

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Ken Yabsley Interview

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Cronulla

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Telling it as it was

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Ken Yabsley Oral History

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Collection SummaryKen Yabsley, recently retired owner of Cronulla's Turo Turo Asian Groceries, discusses his time as a business owner in Cronulla and the Cronulla Riots.BiographyKen Yabsley was born on 27 may 1940. He first saw the Sutherland Shire as a boy in the 1940s when his family sometimes visited the Royal National Park. In the 1950s he often came to the beach with mates but his contact with the area was limited until he moved to Cronulla in the 1980s.SynopsisWhen he moved to Cronulla Ken Yabsley bought a takeaway food business at the station end of Cronulla Street. Always interested in cooking, Ken began using Asian spices in the food sold in the shop. Soon local people were coming in to purchase these ingredients for their own cooking. Some local restaurateurs believe he revolutionised the eating and cooking habits of Cronulla with his business, which gradually became an Asian grocery store instead of a takeaway shop. Ken was in his shop on the day of the Cronulla riot, 11 December 2005, but feels that the reporting of this event was 'all blown out of proportion'. He attended Cronulla Chamber of Commerce meetings in the aftermath of the riot and notes that security in Cronulla has improved considerably since then. At teh time of this interview Ken believed business was as bad in Cronulla as it was in the early 1990s when he bought his shop. Property owners have trouble getting suitable lessees and there are a number of vacant shops. He did well, however, with his business and after a while could 'smell success'. He considers he retired at the right time as supermarkets now stock the Asian ingredients which he pioneered in Cronulla.

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Ken Yabsley Interview Log Sheet

Ken Yabsley Interview Profile

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Ken Yabsley Interview

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Oral History AudioKen Yabsley InterviewDate of interview3rd July 2013IntervieweeKen YabsleyDate of birth27th May 1940InterviewerPauline CurbySupporting materialKen Yabsley Interview ProfileKen Yabsley Interview Log Sheet

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PlaceCronullaSubjectsYabsley, KenCollectionTelling it as it was