Show Notes
Flashes, the pinball arcade where Elaine and Kerry hung out with friends, wasn't just a place for kids to play games and grab a burger.
It doesn’t exist anymore, but when it did, Flashes was in a string of shops tucked away in a laneway off Cronulla’s main street and opened up to a local park.
Picture pool tables and coin-slot games, playing pinball as your mates hung over the sides watching on and friends sat opposite each other frantically steering Pacman away from ghost gangs.
There was a front counter where coins were doled out and food and drinks were bought. There were booths at the back where diners could chow down on burgers or slink away for some privacy.
Though, it wasn’t always a happy place.
Searching for Elaine is a series from Out From The Cold, part of Happy Tuesday Productions.
If you have information about Elaine Johnson or Kerri Ann Joel, you can get in touch at Help Find Elaine Johnson or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Searching for Elaine was produced by Kate Kachor and Sally Spicer, editing by Dan McHugh and Matt Haywood, artwork by Nic Watts.
'Wildflowers' by Jess Ribeiro.
More from Out from the Cold: Searching for Elaine
Everything is thrown into uncertainty over the June long weekend in 2024, when Elaine Johnson’s younger sister, Helen, receives a stream of unexpected text messages.
The year is 2004. It’s the year NSW Police made what Elaine Johnson’s family believe was the first official contact they had with them about her disappearanc.
There’s a place in Sydney famed for being a hippy haven with a chequered past.