Darren Colston – Ruckers Hill

Albury singer-songwriter, Darren Colston, is back with another relatable human tale as he shares with us some beautiful moments spent with his nan during his younger years. Moments of pride, wonder and, ultimately, joy.

The song takes us to Ruckers Hill, where Northcote meets Westgarth in Melbourne’s inner north. To the top floor of a 3-level block of flats at a time when Ruckers Hill was the highest point in metropolitan Melbourne. And to the window where sights were pointed out and stories told……and retold.

“I could see everything from that window. And she took such pride in showing me where everything was. From Westgarth, immediately below, right up to the St Kilda Junction, all those miles away, where the massive glittering Coke awnings looked like flames in the night. There was Paul Kelly’s “clock on the silo” and, most importantly to her, the Collingwood Football Ground, Victoria Park. ‘Can you see the Black and White stripes there Dazza?’

“She lived there until her legs could no longer traverse the 32 steps to get up to her front door from the ground level, when at 92 she bid us all farewell, on her terms.”

As usual, Darren’s writing style takes us front and centre, into the heart of that little boy, delivered to our canvas through that pure voice listeners have come to know.

Ruckers Hill is a tale of pride, a peek through a window to older times and a tribute to a woman who was not prepared to give it all up until she was ready.
Lillian Partington (Colston)
Lil’ from Ruckers Hill.