It’s been 50 years, but for two childhood friends getting together for a good time is just like riding a bike.
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Peter Moles, now of Kings Meadows and Dennis Quillerat of Breadalbane, have re-created an iconic photo taken in 1968 by The Examiner photographer Eddie Kerfoot.
Captured on Holbrook Street at Invermay, the-then 11-year-old boys were out on a bike ride evading flood waters when they were spotted by Kerfoot.
As Mr Moles explained, it was an exciting time to be featured in the local newspaper.
“We both lived at Invermay and there was always water about,” he said.
“That is what made riding our bikes so much fun.
“Eddy saw us out that day and asked if we would ride through one of the larger puddles for a photo.
“Of course we did it.”
Still close friends, the now 61-year-old men decided it would be a fun idea to re-create the photo.
“We spoke about the photo and when we realised it had been 50 years, well at first we couldn’t believe it,” Mr Moles said.
“We don’t feel that old, but we probably look it on the bikes.
“It was my idea and in the end we thought, let’s just do it. We ended up going to a little bit of trouble.”
With the help of Mr Moles’ partner Colleen Bugg, the friends headed back down to Holbrook Street in search of a big puddle.
While Mr Moles had his own bike to ride, Mr Quillerat had to source his ride from a friend – as well as a cape similar to the one he was photographed wearing in 1968.
Unfortunately when it came to the photo shoot, not everything went to plan.
“Kerfoot got that shot in the first go, but this time around it took us a couple of tries,” Mr Quillerat said.
“On the fifth run the brake cable broke and I ended up over the handle bars.”
Despite his injuries, which caused him to miss a week off work, Mr Quillerat said it was well worth it for the end result.
“Everything was flooded in Invermay in those days and we used to go through it all on our bikes,” he said.
“Kerfoot did such a good job to get that shot the way he did with the reflections.
“He must have held the camera very high. It is just a bit of nostalgia for us.
“We were back then, and still are, just two good friends from the swamp – as they say.”
With the help of some modern technology, the men said they were very happy with the end result, which they agreed was a symbol of their enduring friendship.
“It is something we will frame and put on the wall. Every time we look at it we will remember good times, young and old,” Mr Quillerat said.