Series 02: Alan Gibson Stewart papers, 1987-1989 - Page 691
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The Jaguar flashed past, and I caught a glimpse of a young man in dark glasses behind the wheel, and a girl cuddled beside him with her hair protected from the wind by a bright scarf.
The rich young man was David Hay. His father owned three shops in Manly and had made a fortune from selling sports gear, jewellery and trinkets to tourists. David had not excelled at Manly Boys High; but he had no need to worry -- the family money would ensure that he would never have to look for a job.
A young man with means could find plenty to keep him occupied in Manly. There were smart girls to drive to the beach, tennis on the lawn courts, scuba diving with the new gear from the shop, football games to watch, and golf to play on the exclusive Manly course. As the most prominent young man about town, David was epxected to join many of the establishment sporting committees. He was encouraged to become an alderman when he was only twenty-six, and was mayor at the age of thirty-four, the youngest in Manly's history. He married one of the beach girls, Jean Arthurton, the sister of an up-and-coming footballer.
David Hay was mayor during the early years of Manly's decline. His father died. The crowds of tourists dwindled away and there was less demand for trinkets and sporting goods. As trading on the Corso fell the Hay family reinvested its wealth elsewhere.