There was a large establishment on Mount Alexander Rd in Moonee Ponds called "Moonee Stars". I remember it very well as a child. Dad used to empty the 8 Bingo games, 6 pinballs, 2 billiard tables and the Soccer Table. When I started going there with Dad, I was only around 10-12 years old, but I was already a very good billiards player. The old wogs used to play for money, and while Dad was upstairs counting the takings, I would play against the Pool Sharks. The first couple of games, they let me win. Then they started to play seriously, and still could not beat me. Then they brought their "A" game, and I still beat them. It was like taking candy from a child, except I WAS the child taking the candy from the old timers. When Dad found out I was "gambling" (but I had NO idea what I was doing except playing billiards), he paid back the players I had beaten. We went there ever Sunday until I was 18, and I spend the afternoon playing billiards. We removed the machines in the early 90's - Star Trek, KISS, Nugent and Stingray. I can't remember he videos. The billiard tables were left behind for the new owners as we had nowhere to store them !
