100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Ashley Robinson: a traumatic childhood experience that triggered love of ice cream

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

‘Dangerous and inadequate’: main road rattles locals

A Sunshine Coast road originally built from logs a century ago is not much better now, according to a community group. Yandina-Coolum Road, which runs More

Long-running beachside retailer listed for sale

A well-known beachside homewares and fashion store has been listed for sale after two decades of trade. Otilly and Lewis at Peregian Beach, known for More

Ashley Robinson: the right and wrongs of life

It is time to try a social experiment regarding relationships. Since writing in this publication I have lifted the profile of George, my four-legged More

Coast woman ‘floored’ by Lucky Lotteries win

A Coast woman is $100,000 richer thanks to a Lucky Lotteries windfall. The Buderim resident said she was “floored” when she received a phone call More

Forever Harry’s: lane named after young boy

The private road to a new water reservoir has been named after a four-year-old big truck and construction enthusiast. Harry Butler was two years old More

B2B: The importance of superannuation in divorce settlements

In the midst of separation, it is easy to focus on visible assets such as the house, the car or other investments. But superannuation is More

August is halfway over and we will all be getting excited with spring just around the corner.

But I must say, last week I was wondering what had happened to our usually miserable westerly winds and chilly conditions which we usually get around Ekka time.

Early last week was quite hot, which lulled me into a false sense of security.

But not to let us down on the People’s Day public holiday, the westerly winds arrived just like clockwork and brought back memories of past Ekkas.

It actually helped me figure something out. It has never been a great month for me.

About 40 years ago, I had pneumonia and ended up in hospital for a week.

Every year after, for about a decade, I got the ‘man flu’ bad in August – probably from where my psychosomatic disorder blossomed.

I also have this recurring dream that pops up about this time of year, where I am lost on a train (which is weird). But last Wednesday night, while I was walking George the dog, I had an epiphany.

I was about four when I went down on the train with mum and dad to the show on my very first trip to the Ekka.

Ekka picture by unsplash.com/@raygarhe

I had no experience of a show, apart from the Eudlo May Day Sports and the Nambour Show where I was age champion for eating hot dogs and toffee apples.

So it was a bit of a shock to all of a sudden be in Brisbane with thousands of people – a short, fat, country kid looking for food.

We had been there about an hour and I somehow got separated from my parents. I was found bellowing like a foghorn on steroids by a concerned citizen and taken to the police office (not the last time in my life).

I did get an ice cream which served the purpose of shutting me up and, about half an hour later, my parents turned up and all was good. But 60 years later, it probably does explains a few things.

I hate crowds and I am claustrophobic – both probably because of that short fat kid getting buffeted by the masses, trying to find his mum and dad.

It also explains why I like ice cream, and I guess the train dream is a combination of the whole experience.

Thankfully, the ‘man flu’ has left me, but the next time you see me in a crowd looking stressed, hand me an ice cream and tell me it will all be okay. Just don’t mention trains.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share