So, Father’s Day is this Sunday, in case you’ve missed all the lead-up advertising from major retailers (which, in fact, means you must live under a rock).
If you look online, there are all sorts of ideas if you have no idea what to get dad and you are easily parted with your cash.
Growing up, the standard gift that mum bought for us to give dad was socks and handkerchiefs.
He probably would have been more inclined to receive a bottle of Bundy and a bottle of sarsaparilla which he drank with it, as was custom back in the ’50s.
The other thing that he would have much preferred was silence, as he loved his own company and didn’t like a fuss.
In 2025, though, there is plenty of fuss which, of course, is driven by the major retailers.
So, what do I want for Father’s Day?
Probably like what dad wanted but never got (but switch out the sarsaparilla and add Coke). I’m a bit like dad as well and want no fuss.
But I do have a vivid memory that comes back to me this time every year.
When I met Old Mate back in the early ’80s, she had two children from a previous marriage: Brendon (then nearly seven) and Lucas (18 months). And as our relationship grew, the kids grew on me, too. Of course, we all had our moments and I am sure she thought she now had three kids.
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Anyway, I started getting ideas at the time about maybe trying to have a child with her. I was talking to my mum Edna about it and she got this sly smile.
Edna, who was always pretty blunt, said: “I have two questions for you. Firstly, what will another child do to your relationship you have with those two boys? And, secondly, have you had a good look at them? Do you think if you have a kid it is going to be as good-looking as them?”
We never had another child and I never ever regretted it.
We have had some bumps along the way – a couple of really big ones – but thankfully we are all better for the journey.
I love this quote: “We aren’t ‘step’, we aren’t ‘half’, we’re just family.”
So, come Sunday, I don’t want anything as I have already got it, thank you. To all the parents out there, just enjoy the day.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
