Jim Saad

In the heart of Kirribilli, a humble memorial stands as a testament to a life well-lived. This is the Jim Saad memorial, a tribute to the “Cobbler of Kirribilli”. Jim Saad, a Lebanese immigrant, arrived in Sydney in 1962. He quickly became a fixture in the Milsons Point community. He dedicated over 50 years to his craft, mending shoes and cutting keys in a small shop nestled in the Milsons Point train station access tunnel. Jim’s shop wasn’t just a place of business. It was a community hub, a place where locals would stop for a chat, a joke, and of course, perfectly repaired shoes. His warm smile and cheeky grin were as much a part of his service as his skilled craftsmanship. Even those who moved away continued to send their shoes back to Jim, a testament to his enduring reputation. Jim Saad’s legacy extends beyond his craftsmanship. He embodied the spirit of community. He served everyone from former Prime Minister John Howard to the clowns at Luna Park, treating each customer with the same warmth and respect. When Jim passed away in 2021, the community mourned deeply. Flowers and tributes overflowed his shopfront, a poignant reminder of the void he left behind. The Jim Saad memorial, unveiled in 2024, captures the essence of his life’s work. The sculpture features a pair of shoes and shoe repair tools. These tools, donated by his family, symbolize his dedication to his craft and the countless shoes he mended over the years. The memorial’s location, at the top of Burton Street across from the train station entrance, is a fitting tribute. It stands near the spot where Jim’s shop once stood. It ensures that his memory remains interwoven with the fabric of the community he served so faithfully. It reminds us of the humble cobbler who touched the lives of so many.