Documenting change
On weekends this local is often found walking the streets of Parramatta using his camera phone to document construction projects changing the city.
Angelo Frelingos, better known as Andy, was born in Parramatta in 1958 to parents originally from the Greek Island of Kythira. His first residence was the back of his family’s milk bar on the corner of Macquarie and Smith Streets ‒ where the Western Sydney University Parramatta City campus now stands.
Andy’s early years were spent in the heart of Parramatta, visiting the Roxy Theatre with his brother Michael and watching the night sky above Leigh Memorial Church. After school, he remained in the Parramatta area, often visiting his yiayia and other family on Marsden Street. On Sundays, Andy and his family would attend services at St Ioannis Greek Orthodox Church on Hassall Street. Later, he would marry his wife Kathy at that same church and a few years later baptise their three children there.
His first residence was the back of his family’s milk bar on the corner of Macquarie and Smith Streets
Fast forward two decades, Andy lives in Merrylands and has a career as a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer for Cathay Pacific. Since 2015, he has enjoyed a hobby rooted in his connections to the area: documenting the construction and development of prominent Parramatta buildings and construction projects with his iPhone camera.
At his home, Andy greets me at the front door, ushering me in quickly to prevent one of the dogs escaping out of excitement. Guided down the corridor with an entourage of two tail-wagging furry friends, Andy sits me down at his kitchen table and in proper Greek fashion, offers me a coffee and something to eat. His abode is adorned with photographs of family members, friends and days of travel. Displayed on the mantelpiece among the photos are model aeroplanes from different airlines.
Andy’s almost decade-long hobby of taking photographs of Parramatta reflects a love for his place of birth. ‘I feel like it’s my backyard,’ he says. ‘I always knew it was going to be a city, and I was happy to see the new developments and that they had plans to build Parramatta Square.’ Andy has followed the slow evolution of the Square through its different incarnations. ‘It just fascinated me … I want Parramatta to evolve well,’ he says. ‘Even if I had to move to another city, I’d still have a fondness for this place and be happy for its progress and development.’ Andy has also documented Western Sydney Stadium, Meriton buildings, and other high-rise apartments.
