About this time every year, I start thinking about when I was a kid and what habits have changed over the past 60 years.
For instance, when I was in primary school, we were basically made to have a bank account with the Commonwealth Bank. We had a little passbook and, on certain days, we had to take coins to school for banking. We also had a tin money box in the shape of a bank building to go with it.
We had religious instruction, where the local Anglican minister and his Catholic counterpart would take turns visiting the school. Imagine if that were still going today in public schools? Some folks would be outraged.
Then, of course, there was the free milk that was delivered at ‘sparrow fart’, stored under the steps until 10am and then whipped out lukewarm. The only way out of drinking it was a note from your parents. Again, folks today would be outraged.
This week is the last week of school. It coincides with my birthday. So, it was always a good week for me as a kid – particularly at Eudlo, where we would have break-up on the last day before Christmas holidays. All the farmers would bring produce. There were novelty races and more food and cordial than I could consume. That seems like a thing of the past as well.
But this time of year was always great for me as I would load up the truck and head to Picnic Point for the holidays. With bikes, the dog and kids on the back of the truck like the Beverly Hillbillies, off we would go. That would be deeply frowned upon these days as irresponsible parenting.
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But they were great days and I have my late parents to thank for them. We didn’t have much money, but we had so much fun with the simple things of life. If there was stress about material things, I wasn’t aware of it – not like today.
One simple tradition that I do miss is when the Salvation Army used to walk the streets of Maroochydore singing Christmas carols on street corners or right out in front of your house. Folks would come out and put money in the wooden box they carried around. That was when we all really knew it was holidays and we also knew that the Salvos would be helping families not as lucky as us. Thank God for the Salvos.
Have a good holiday and make yourself feel good by helping someone.
Ashley Robinson is chairman of the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball, and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.
