18/02/2026
This is Jidy.
There's a real chance if your family lived or worked in Sydney, that a pair of shoes were made or were repaired, by Jidy's steady craftsman's hands.
He owned Quay Shoes and Repairs for over 50 years. Same shop, same sign, same face.
When the shop finally closed, he moved everything into his garage in Maroubra. The machines, the leather, drawers of tiny nails and screws, old shoe boxes, paper clippings from decades ago that he uses to catch the glue.
His garage in Maroubra now holds what used to fill an entire store.
The smell hits you first. Glue, leather and then time.
It feels warm. Familiar. Like stepping into memories.
These days he makes leather key rings and occasionally lends his hands to the local repair shop when they need someone who truly knows what they’re doing. But mostly, he just is - steady, gentle, quietly sharp. Deeply loved, in the kind of way that fills a room without trying.
Without telling you, you know Jidy's seen things in his 98 years, he knows hard work and he knows commitment.
His family didn’t just welcome me in, through my cousin’s marriage, they became part of mine. And photographing Jidy felt less like I was capturing decades of his life into a gallery, for a family that adore him.
His number one goal is to outlive his mum, who made it to 102.
Honestly, I wouldn’t bet against him.
Thank you Jidy for letting me sit in your world and for trusting me to tell your story.
You definitely touched my heart.
Thanks to for your creative contribution. 🫶🏻
