Charlotte Berryman’s great grandfather was early settler Captain John Cleeland, renowned for training race horses at his grand home, Woolamai House.
She was born at Warley Hospital and went to Cowes Primary School.
As a six year old, and as a Cows Primary School student, well remembers the opening of the first Phillip Island bridge.
Her grandfather James Raff was the Presbyterian minister in Cowes.
He went on to become a councillor and was very supportive of the new bridge.
“There was a real blow-up about it at the time though,” says Charlotte.
“In some ways the debate about the car ferry now feels like history repeating itself.
“My grandfather and father were supportive of the bridge because it would give us access to a lot of things. 
“Before the bridge dad had to swim the cattle across to the mainland at low tide, which was dangerous. 
“People who didn’t want it didn’t want the island to change, they wanted to keep it the same as it was when they came.
“But the bridge gave us freedom to come and go.
“I remember the punt that went from Newhaven to San Remo. I wasn’t allowed out of the car when we were on the punt.
“I remember the opening of the bridge. I was six at the time and school children lined the bridge so the motorcade could go past. 
“But the bridge wasn’t finished and there was just one guard rail. I looked down and could see the water and I was terrified. 
“We were told to stand still.
“My mother had a box brownie camera and took photos of the opening ceremony. It was a very special day but I was too young to go to the ball afterwards.”
Charlotte recalls trips on the the car ferry as exciting.
“When that stopped it seemed to take away something from the island.”