Businesswoman Christine Barro is best known for her iconic Melbourne store, Christine on Collins, where, until it closed this year, she stocked some of the world’s biggest names, including Philip Treacy and Martin Grant. But privately, her life was tinged with sadness, especially due to the loss of her son, David, and second husband, Peter. Ahead, she shares her story.
My maternal grandfather, Francis McQuillen, fought in both world wars and died of cancer after World War II. He married my maternal grandmother, Jessica May, who was the fourth of 11 children. She grew up on a sheep farm at Boree Creek [NSW] and was the town dressmaker in Narrandera.
My dad, Noel Davoren, was the youngest of nine children and worked as an accountant for Pepsi-Cola in Sydney. We were rarely allowed sugar drinks – they were a random treat.
Dad married Mum [Margaret Francis] in Narrandera after World War II and they moved to Sydney. I’m the second of five children. Dad left Mum when my brother Anthony, who’s 15 years younger than me, was a baby. She became the primary carer for the family and lived to 92.
I was a bit of a tomboy as a child. I used to put on my father’s shorts and tell everyone, “My name isn’t Christine, it’s John.” I’d go off hiking in the bush with my sisters. I fell and broke my arm while trekking in Lane Cove when I was 12.
I didn’t really notice boys when I was growing up. I was aware of people pursuing me, but I didn’t respond to the attention.
Losing someone I loved so much and had such a strong bond with was shattering for me.
I went to see the Beatles with my best friends from school, Helen and Mary Therese, when the band came to Australia. I didn’t have a crush on anyone in particular, but later I did love David Bowie.
Marriage to my first husband brought me to Melbourne in 1971. I married quite young and ran away from him eventually. I became an accessories buyer at Georges [department store], before being offered the position of jewellery buyer. I was sent on overseas buying trips and introduced brands like Fendi, Prada, Trussardi, Longchamp and Sonia Rykiel to Australia.
I met fashion designer Martin Grant nightclubbing in Melbourne in the 1980s. It was gay night on Wednesdays and we met in the foyer. We’ve become good friends over the years, and I stocked his clothing at my boutique. He is a quiet genius who stays on point.
My friend David “Pussy” Aboud became the identity of Greville Street, Prahran, in the 1970s. I met him at a pub in the area and was amazed at his encyclopedic knowledge of antiques and decorative furniture. He loved his nickname, music, hats and Italian greyhounds. He had a nurturing nature and died in 2012, a year after celebrating his 60th.
I was on the board of Jeff Kennett’s Melbourne Fashion Festival in the late ’90s. He was a pioneer who had the vision to establish Melbourne as an event city, introducing the [Australian] Grand Prix and Flower & Garden Show. I admired him for that.
I had the privilege of working with milliner Philip Treacy in my early years at Georges. I have always admired his creativity – he was never influenced and always had his own ideas.
I met my second husband, Peter Barro, in 1986. His sister Elena, who worked at Georges with me, invited me to his place in Fitzroy for dinner. He came from a nice Italian family in Ringwood, was a great cook and could have been an architect. He was a genius on every level.
Peter and I married in May 1992 and our only child, David, was born in 1993. Sadly, David died in 2008 from Hunter syndrome. Most boys who have the disease don’t live past 10; we were lucky to have him for 15 years. Peter and I took it in turns to travel for work and always prioritised David’s needs.
My world came crashing down when Peter was diagnosed with amyloidosis in January 2018, aged 61, and died in October the same year. Losing someone I loved so much and had such a strong bond with was shattering for me. He was the love of my life and such a special man. Peter made time for everyone.
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Jane Rocca is a regular contributor to Sunday Life Magazine, Executive Style, The Age EG, columnist and features writer at Domain Review, Domain Living’s Personal Space page. She is a published author of four books.Connect via X or email.
