- Background & Location
Lisa McCune, the Gold Logie Award-winning actress known for her role in Blue Heelers, has returned to one of her earliest Melbourne haunts: Balaclava, a charming bayside suburb.
After moving to Melbourne post–WAAPA in the early 1990s, she fell in love with Balaclava’s village atmosphere, local cafés, Jewish delis, and friendly community—a lifestyle contrast to her upbringing in Western Australia.
- The Renovation Project
McCune recently purchased a former shopfront in Balaclava and is converting it into her new home of choice.
This renovation reflects her deep connection with the suburb—a place full of meaningful memories like her first flat on Orange Grove and local collaborators like a trusted jeweller from Carlisle Street.
- Personal Reflections & Sentimental Value
She says the area resonates with her because it was where she “found her feet”—working in local cafés, joining the St Kilda National Theatre scene, and creating a strong sense of belonging.
Recounting the area’s warmth, she fondly recalls Jewish delis, “boiled breads,” and families gathering on weekends—experiences she had never encountered before arriving in Melbourne.
- Favourite Local Touchpoints
Lisa shared some of her enduring Balaclava and St Kilda favorites that continue to hold special meaning for her:
Taylor HT Jewellers (Carlisle Street): The place where she had her mother’s rings reset.
Glicks Bakery: Known for its “mixed biscuits”—a nostalgic daily stop.
Skin: A beauty salon run by Pauline, where she enjoyed weekly facials before having children.
Ciccolina (St Kilda): A go-to restaurant in the ’90s for its vibe and cuisine.
Wild Rice Wholefoods Café (Barkly Street): Where she would grab dinner after long filming days on Blue Heelers.
Owensville (Ripponlea): Location of her special dinners; now the site of Attica.
The Galleon, The Dog’s Bar, and The Espy: Part of her nightlife memory lane, from crunching carpet to the perfect pub atmosphere.
Summary Table
Aspect Details
Renovation Type Conversion of a former Balaclava shopfront into a home
Location Balaclava, Melbourne—her original “village” community
Emotional Ties Formative memories in cafés, delis, and theaters—creating a strong pull
Local Favorites Jeweller, bakery, beauty salon, café, restaurants, bars tied to personal history
Insights & Implications
McCune’s project emphasizes how renovating in a familiar neighbourhood can be deeply meaningful—clearly driven not just by aesthetics but by emotional connection.
Choosing a commercial-to-residential conversion offers unique architectural possibilities, often featuring character-rich fixtures and layout flexibility.
The suburb’s village ambiance and local institutions continue to shape her vision, grounding the project in authenticity and sentiment.