I grew up in Sydney in the 1950s with a twin brother and a pack of boys.
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We were the secret seven. We had freedom to explore anywhere and everywhere. There was safety in numbers.
The only rule was that we had to be home before dark and on time for dinner.
Back then you either had a bike or you didn't and one bike took you everywhere. Otherwise you walked.
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We went tadpoling and fishing and exploring Sydney from the age of about eight and it was great fun. The older we got, the more adventurous we became.
I remember showing our parents "our Sydney", which included the Sydney Market where we knew many of the stall holders and we introduced them to the amazing Sydney Fish Market.
Sometimes we planned a day trip and would set off early.
Mum would pack a picnic for all of us and some hours later, with Dad and our younger sister, drive the planned route until they found us and we all shared the picnic lunch. They would drive home, we would cycle.
When the boys became Boy Scouts and learnt to "be prepared" they would take their sleeping bags and set out overnight. We would find them and have dinner, usually a sausage sizzle with marshmallows.
COVID-19 will have an impact on everything well beyond lifting restrictions and going back to simple fun will surely follow.
Everyone will have to learn to enjoy simple things again, like riding a bike, walking or exploring the bush.
Few will have a paddock full of ponies to ride.
Frontline workers: Andrew the grocer
If you don't have a bike the Men's Shed has lots of restored bikes "at reasonable prices".
My mother used to say that if you were creative you would never be lonely, or bored.
Benalla Art Gallery has children's art classes. Music and dance classes are available, too.
This will be a time for children to regain their freedom to explore and learn their safe boundaries.
Frontline worker: Peter the Vet
Learning about the bush is everlasting. Not many children will think seeing wild orchids is cool, but all will think recognising old or fresh kangaroo, possums or wombat poo is very cool and that dog poo in the bush is yuk.
There are several places to fish around Benalla and children under 18 don't need a permit. Near the Stock Bridge and All Blacks are two good close places.
For the more adventurous, riding out to Ford's Bridge at Tatong offers great possibilities, it used to be a popular day trip destination for "chop BBQs". There might be fishing hotspots in the Winton Wetlands channels.
Exploring the Reef Hills and its old mines is full of challenges, but this is for older children.
Winton wetlands art features on new stamp
From an early age we loved picnics, even if it was a vegemite sandwich and an apple. Fancy then was curried egg sandwiches, not chicken and walnuts. A love of picnics has lasted a lifetime.
A day trip for some children today could be a ride around the Lake and Botanic Gardens and a sandwich. Then doing the three Rotary Gym workouts and mastering the adventure playground.
My children started playing golf when they were very young at school holiday golf camps and Benalla has similar schools. Parents make good teachers, too.
The great thing about golf is that there are strict course etiquette rules that everyone must follow (let better/faster players go through and so on)....or else! Once learnt, the youngest golfer is on safe territory playing a game they can enjoy throughout their life.
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Tennis is the same. It also requires respect for the rules, opponents and the court. Then freedom, parents are no longer needed. Whole days can be happily spent with friends.
Participating in any sport is fun. Little athletics, netball and football all have regional competitions that create great day trip opportunities and a passion for life.
I would love to hear what you might encourage your children to do. Hopefully one day they too might say ‘we had the best time every day ‘ as a child in Benalla, Tatong or Goorambat.
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