Growing up in Australia in the 80s and 90s

I was having a discussion with my beautiful wife the other night about what we used to do as kids, what we were allowed to do and not allowed to do, how much free reign did we have, and when was the rope pulled in. Would love to hear everyone elses thoughts on what they were able to do, when were you allowed to go out by yourself, when were you allowed to stay home by yourself etc.

Things were far different in our time growing up, things have changed so very much. When I think of what I would let my kids do now, and if things keep going the way they are, what will they be able to do in the future, and it worries me, our kids, not just mine, everybody's kids, are going to be faced with far less opportunity than we had as kids, simply because of the day and age we live in, and the direction that we are headed in the future.

I was allowed to stay home by myself for the first time when I was 12.
I was allowed out with my friends after school etc for as long as I can remember and I was allowed to jump on my bike and head there myself.

Growing up in Australia in my time meant much of this.

"hide and seek" - As young as 8, maybe even younger, if we travelled to the park for the day, we could safely play a game of hide and seek in the park without a 2nd thought, will our kids be able to do so? Not with the freedom we enjoyed. Geez, if our parents had friends over that had kids, we could play hide and seek or spotlight outside for as long as we wanted!!
"The corner milk bar" - Remember getting on your bike and riding to the shops with your mates?? How much of that will our kids be able to do this, with risks of dark, evil hiding around every corner, us as parents will fear our kids getting snatched or having their bikes stolen. We were doing this stuff at 10.
"Street Cricket" in front of the garbage bin and inviting everyone on your street to join in - Ok, so this will hopefully go on forever, if it's in front of your house, generally its pretty safe.
"Brittish Bulldog" - Cant play games like this anymore, too dangerous according to our schools, we grew up and developed  resiliance and a slice of toughness from these games, never did any major harm. A few fights, but nothing that would stop us from doing it again the next day.
"Kiss Chasey" - Geez, you would be reported for harrassment if you tried this in the schoolyard these days.
"Kick to Kick" - Another that will hopefully never die, but who knows, one slip on someone's front lawn and someone could end up sued.

I found the following and thought, WOW, how much of these great experiences are my kids going to be able to enjoy... It is possibly the best list I have ever seen.

Remember all the fun stuff you did on the weekend, or even after school, rather than sitting in front of a computer!!!
slip'n'slide, the trampoline with water on it, stepping in puddles, Mud pies and building dams in the gutter. The smell of the sun and fresh cut grass. 'Big bubbles no troubles' with Hubba Bubba bubble gum. A choc-top.Mr Whippy cone on a warm summer night after you've chased him round the block. 20 cents worth of mixed lollies lasted a week and pretending to smoke "fags" (the lollies) was really cool!..

A dollars' worth of chips from the corner take-away fed two people (AND the sauce was free!!).

Being upset when you botched putting on the temporary tattoo from the bubblegum packet, but still wearing it proudly. Watching Saturday morning cartoons: 'The Smurfs', 'AstroBoy', 'He-Man', 'Captain Caveman', 'Archie', 'Jem' (truly outrageous!!), 'The
Wizard of Oz', 'Banana Man'and 'Heeeey heeeeey heeeeeeey it's faaaaaaat Albert'.
Or staying up late and sneaking a look at the "AO" movie on the second telly.

When around the corner seemed a long way, and going into town seemed like going somewhere. Where running away meant you did laps of the block because you weren't allowed to cross the road??
A million mozzie bites, wasp and bee stings. Sticky fingers, cops and robbers, cowboys and Indians, riding bikes and catching yabbies.

Marco polo in the neighbours' pool, drawing all over the road and driveway with chalk. Climbing trees and building cubbies out of every sheet your mum had in the cupboard.

Walking to school, no matter what the weather.  Running till you were out of breath.

Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt. Pitching the tent in the back/front yard. Jumping on the bed. Ghosts stories with the next Door neighbours. Pillowfights, spinning round, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for the giggles.The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team (Can't happen now, taught you to deal with disappointment, now everything has to be fair). Water balloons were the ultimate weapon. Cricket cards in the spokes transformed any bike into a motorcycle. Eating raw jelly, sucking on a Funny Face, Paddle Pop or red Icy Pole. Remember when there were only two types of sneakers - girls and boys.
Dunlop volleys with the green 'n' gold or blue and the only time you wore them at school was for "sports day." You knew everyone in your street - and so did your parents! It wasn't odd to have two or three "best friends" You didn't sleep a wink on Christmas eve and pretended to sleep for the tooth fairy. When 50c was decent pocket money. When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for 10c. When nearly everyone's mum was there when the kids got home from school. It was magic when dad would
"remove" his thumb. When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at the local Chinese restaurant with your family.
When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed her or use him to carry groceries and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it. When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.
Basically, we were in fear for our lives, but it wasn't because of drive-by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. Our parents and grandparents were a much bigger threat!
Some of us are still afraid of them!!!
Remember when decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-MO" or dib dib's-scissors, paper, rock.
Money issues were handled by whoever was the banker in Monopoly.
Terrorism was when the older kids were at the end of your street with pea-shooters waiting to ambush you.
The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was boy/girl germs, and the worst thing in your day was having to sit next to one.
Where bluelight disco's were the equivalent to a Rave, and asking a girl out meant writing a 'polite' note getting them to tick 'yes' or 'no'.
When there was always that one 'HOT' guy/girl.

Having a weapon in school meant being caught with a slingshot. Your biggest danger at school was accidentally walking through the middle of a heated game of
"brandies".

Scrapes and bruises were kissed and made better.
Taking drugs meant scoffing orange-flavoured chewable vitamin C's, or swallowing half a Panadol. Ice cream was considered a basic food group.
Going to the beach and catching a wave was a dream come true. Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dare".
Older siblings were the worst tormentors, but also the fiercest protectors.
I fear for the future of our kids and what they can experience, but I will be doing everything I can to make sure that my children will have the chance to experience as much as they can in growing up.

Growing up in the 90's

We have all seen these at one time or another, but I thought I would take some time to delve a little deeper!!!

You're a 90's kid if:

U remember watching Doug, Ren & Stimpy, Pinky and the Brain , and Two Stupid Dogs. - Was a huge fan of Pinky and the Brain, come to think of it, I still am :D

You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE! - Only a million times!!!

You just cant resist finishing this... "Iiiiiiin west philladelphia born and raised..." - Oh how the Fresh Prince takes me back, the greatest show of our time!!

You remember TGIF on ABC. Step by Step, Family Matters, Dinosaurs, and Boy Meets World. - All crap, but yep, can remember them all!!!

You remember when, 2Pac and Selena died. - Can remember 2Pac, but who is Selena?

You remember when it was actually worth getting up early
on a Saturday to watch cartoons. - Only every single Saturday!!!

You remember reading "Goosebumps" - Read and hated!!!

You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school. - Yep, Scooby Doo!!!

You remember the craze, then the banning of slap bracelets and slam books. - Hahaha

You still get the urge to say "NOT" after (almost) every sentence...Not... Even bigger hahaha

You used to listen to the radio all day long just to record "Your FAVORITE song of ALL time" - Sitting next to the pause button durning the Top 40, if you were off school you rang the radio station to request the song, just so you could tape it :D Just me?

Where in the world is Carmen San Diego? was both a game and a TV game show. Greatest computer game of all time!!!

Captain Planet. He's a Hero. - Saturday Morning cartoon at it's best!!

You knew that Kimberly, the pink ranger, and Tommy, the green Ranger were meant to be together. - Reckon this belongs in the naughties to be honest...

You remember when super nintendo's and Sega Genisis became popular. - Duck Shoot

You always wanted to send in a tape to America's Funniest Home Videos... but never taped anything funny. - When you missed something funny you were devo'd..

You remember watching home alone 1, 2 , and 3........and tried to pull the pranks on "intruders" - Hahaha

You remember when Yo-Yos were cool. - Remember the coke yo-yos, you got different colors for how good you were!!! They were awesome!!
You remember when Mortal Kombat wuz tha shit! - It sure was "Finish Him" "Subzero Wins"

U remember eating Warheads.(those sour candys) - Destructive lolly at its best

You remember watching the 1st Batman, Aladin, Ninja Turtles, and 3 Ninjas movies. - :D

U remember Ring Pops. - And push pops

if you memeber when every thing was "da BOMB" - Haha, American tryhards

You remember boom boxes vs. cd players

Making those little paper fortune cookie things.. and then predicting your life with them. - If it didn't work out right you did it again until it suited you :p

You knew all the characters names and their life stories on "Saved By The Bell" - Damn Straight, who didn't love Screech!!!

You played and/or collected "Pogs" - Haha.. Pogs...

You had at least one Tamagotchi, GigaPet or Nano and brought it everywhere - Late 90's

You haven't always had a computer, and it was cool to have the internet. - I remember when they had just introduced the Internet into school, only 2 computers in the computer room had access.. Now they all have their own iPad!!!

You watched the original cartoons of Rugrats, Power Rangers,and Ninja Turtles. - Well Ninja Turtles yeah...

You had a favorite New Kid on the block, and you knew all of there names - Secret shame!!!

You owned a portable tape player. - Yes way!!!

If you even know what an original walkman is. - Had to love the Walkman!!

You know the Macarena by heart. - If you don't you are missing out!!

"Talk to the hand" ... enough said - Hahaha

You always said, "Then why don't you marry it!" - Hahaha

You know the significance of the number 23. - MJ

You went to McD's to play in the playplace.

You remember playing on merry go rounds...at the play ground.

When you got on your bike and rode around to a mates place, not text them. - Can't even speak to the person next to you without a computer these days!!!

When we were younger:

Before the MySpace frenzy...

Before the Internet & text messaging...

Before Sidekicks & iPods...

Before PlayStation2 or X-BOX...

Before Sponge Bob, Dora and Ben 10
...Back when you put off the 5 hours of homework you had every night.

When light up sneakers were cool.

When you rented VHS tapes, not DVDs.

When petrol was $0.50C per litre & Caller ID was a new thing.

When we recorded stuff on VCRs .

When we called the radio station to request songs to hear off our walkmans.

When 2Pac and Biggie where alive.

When the Chicago Bulls were the best team ever.

Way back.

when it was all about N64

Ah... Those were the days!!!!

A memo to Hume City Council

I know most of the people that read this couldn't care less, but I had to vent, and vent I will....

As has been published in recent times, the Hume City Council has decided to enforce a law on our local clubs that doesn't allow them to charge spectators on the gate at our local games.

I would like to delve a little further into this decision.

Some will respond favorably with what I have to say, while many will say "just get the permit" or "just ask for a donation", before I go into the detail of why this ruling has the potential to end the future of our local clubs and our local competition, I would like to respond to these two points.

"Just get the permit" - If most had the opportunity to view what is required to gain this permit through the Hume City Council (or any other that follow suit) they would be surprised by the amount of requirements that are needed to be met, just to submit the application. Local football clubs are run by volunteers, people that provide their time free of charge to the club and in extension the local community. To ask these people to have to jump through the hoops and over the hurdles placed in front of them is completely unfair. The permit exists, as mentioned earlier, for an event like a rock concert. Since when, after 100 plus years, has a local football game ever been compared to an event like a rock concert? Where do the similarities exist, the only place where one exists is that people are charged for entry.

"Just ask for a donation" - While the local community, especially in the RDFL is tight knit and all clubs would support each other 100%, there will be examples of people that, when they find out about this story, refuse to pay at the gate. Currently, and RDFL club could budget for between $1000 - $1500 on the gate for every home game. Facing this uncertainty, how could you possibly expect to set your budget at that level into the future?

Now lets look at how this all came about.

A Hume City Council "Employee" attended a game of local football at Clarke Oval and refused to pay the entry fee. He was quite rightly asked to leave if he wasn't willing to pay the entry fee. This employee then complained when he got into work on the following Monday and started this spiral that is attacking the very fabric of local football. Because after 100+ years of local football, one Hume City Council employee was too tight fisted to pay $10. Shameful.

Finally, and more indepth, lets look at the impact that this ruling could have on our local clubs.

I will base the following on estimates of my time, local clubs could probably give you more accurate numbers.

Gate takings for a regular season home game would be budgeted for between $1000 - $1500 per game, 9 home games = between $10 and $15K per year.

Gate takings for finals, which goes to the RDFL, would make up approx 30% of total revenue per annum.

Hosting a final, with bar, canteen, raffles etc - Budgeted would be between $8K - $10K

Loss of gate takings for the RDFL during finals would mean the requirement to make up losses in other areas, most likely league affiliation fees, this rise would equate to anywhere up to $2K.

So using the Sunbury Kangaroos as an example, they had intentions of hosting a final in 2011, they would lose.

10 - 15K on gate takings during the year.

8 - 10K on revenue from missing out on hosting a final.

2K increase in league affiliation fees.

All in all, the Sunbury Kangaroos would lose between 20 - 27 thousand dollars a year in Revenue just by having the ability to charge a gate fee taken away.

If they were able to take "donations", a guaranteed loss would occur, irrelevant of whether people think it wouldn't happen, but up to 50%. So over the course of the season they would still lose 5 - 10 thousand dollars in gate takings as well as 8 - 10 thousand dollars in a probable final. Best case scenario would be a loss of revenue with this change of 13 thousand dollars!!!!!!!! How could a club possibly survive into the future?

This is my take on what the future holds for our clubs. It is already known that this rule is in place across all councils. While the other local councils are not going to impliment now, they haven't ruled it out!!! Local Football is under threat, it is as simple as that!!!

25 facts you may or may not know about Gavin...

1. My middle name is Scott, in comparison to 99% of the population, I got out of the middle name curse pretty well.
2. I have the highest opinion of my own singing ability, I would rate me an 8 out of 10.
3. I almost died when I was 8 years old, I tried to test how deep a dam was and fell off the raft. My older brother saved me.
4. I have thousands of acquantinces, but very few friends, its not that I don't like all of these people, they are all great, there are just a minority that I trust fully.
5. When I was 10, my brother and I buried our favorite toys in the backyard of our house because we didn't want to move, those toys are probably still there :(
6. I don't believe in the after life.
7. My biggest fear as a child was the Earth exploding after being hit by a comet, I still don't like comet's due solely to this.. Thank you very much Beyond 2000.
8. My favorite cartoon when I was younger was Astro Boy.
9. My favorite sportsman when I was younger was cricketer Greg Matthews.
10. Without counting my brother or on a football field, I have only ever been in one fist fight. I am pretty proud of that, have always had the belief that anything can be sorted out reasonably without resorting to violence.
11. I miss my Blue Heeler, Buffy had to leave me when she couldn't stay with me. The most loyal and playful dog ever.
12. I believe in patience, some people panic making their objective impossible to see. In saying that, I am the most impatient person in the world sometimes.
13. I had never broken a bone until 4 years ago when I broke a bone in my foot.
14. I have never ever had stitches.
15. I am completely and utterly petrified of mice. I once locked the laundry in the house I lived in for 3 months after spotting a mouse inside, I took all of my clothes to the laundromat.
16. My favorite food is steak, eggs and chips.
17. My favorite dessert is Chocolate Mousse
18. I can handle most chores, but I can't stand doing the laundry.
19. I had never been overseas, despite having cheap flights, until my honeymoon.
20. I remember precious little of my wedding, except for my wife's smile.
21. While there are millions of pleasures in life, there is nothing like holding my baby girl or my rapidly growing little man.
22. The Big Bang Theory and How I met your mother are my two favorite shows on TV.
23. I rely too much on Panadol and Nurofen.
24. My greatest obsession is football, the coaching and the understanding of the game and how it works, most people might know this, but at the local level, I have a drive within myself to know the league inside and out, to the point where sometimes it consumes me.
25. My favorite thing in the whole world is walking in the front door after work and seeing my gorgeous wife and gorgeous little man smile at me, it is also my favorite feeling, best of all, my baby girl smiles at me when she first sees me now too. Every time, without fail, it can almost bring a tear to my eye!!

Finally it is back again!!!

For most of the people that would read this, the following could possibly be the most boring thing you could read.. But for me, outside of my gorgeous wife and beautiful son and daughter, my favorite thing in the world is back, and well and truly firing!!!

That's right people, Football has returned for 2011 and is well under way, both the AFL, where my beloved mighty Bombers have witnessed the return of the chosen one, the man that in the next 4 years will take us back to the top where we belong. Also the RDFL, for many that know me well, my absolute passion...

Season 2011 has raised a few head vs heart issues when it comes to football, you see, after 14 years as the most loyal, proud and dedicated spells as a member, player, coach, committee member, life member and most importantly supporter of the Sunbury Kangaroos FNC, I have moved on.. Not due to any animosity to the club I held so dear, but for a new perspective, a new opportunity, a new challenge, at a rival club Romsey.
It's only two weeks in but already my motives have been heavily questioned, especially at some stages questioning how a life member of a football club can so easily move on to a new club and be part of a process that plans to plot the defeat of my former club.

Well, my dear friends, it is simple..

Late last year I made my intentions clear, I wanted to continue coaching, at 33 years of age, my coaching career had barely begun let alone come to an end. My former club had a new coach established after one year, who had put in place a team that he felt would help him to achieve the elusive first premiership for the SKFNC, Dean has been a confidant over the past 3 or so years and I can wish him nothing but the best in achieving this goal, both personally and for the Kangaroos. In the meantime, after recieving a few offers of positions outside the competition, a coach that took a position at a club that has long been successful and once again are looking to take the next step contacted me and made it quite clear exactly why he wanted me to assist him in season 2011. I have long rated the young talent at this football club so therfore had immediate interest, but it was the direction and attitude of Mark that made the decision for me. In the meantime, several talented young footballers have since joined the side, including another assistant in Ben Talbot. The key to every one of these recruits as well as the exisiting group is the charachter of the guys at the club. Every player has been nothing but impressive in not only the football side of things, but as individuals off the field.

We have now completed 2 rounds of the RDFL season, and look ahead now after the Easter break to a long, tough season ahead, but I can tell you this, it is as exciting a season as I have been involved in!!! With some of the names running around in a Redbacks jumper in 2011, it is sure to be a big year for Romsey...

I wish the Sunbury Kangaroos FNC all the best for the season and my heart will always be with the Kangaroos.. But my head still runs me for now, so I can only wish the Kangaroos all the best and hope they finish 2nd... (Of course if the Redbacks should somehow miraculously fall short, I will be back on the Kangas bandwagon)

Its a big year in the RDFL.... Go Redbacks!!!

Expeditions!!!

Well it's been a long 3 weeks, holiday's are such a wonderful thing.. I was lucky enough to spend mine hanging about around home with my beautiful wife, our beautiful daughter and our beautiful boy.
Such wonderful things you get to see and learn when you are enabled to be around the home, rather than working. I was lucky enough to witness the pure tenderness and love of a big brother with his brand new baby sister, the love and care of a new mother with her precious baby girl and of course the rise and fall of the sun without being required to be cooped up in an office.
My favorite thing to do while I am home is to head out, funny isn't it, but the best times of my time off was to load the family up in the car and head out, I love the glow my gorgeous wife gets when we head out shopping, I know, I know, I am a dude, I am not supposed to like shopping, well, the secret is, I hate shopping, but I love watching my gorgeous wife floating just at the opportunity to get out and shop or just get out. We were able to arrange (finally) our wedding photo's to go to print, this is exciting, as well as head to Target, Big W and most recently to DFO.. The best thing about the last couple of weeks was being able to spend time with the family before things get really busy over the next 6 weeks or so, when undoubtably we are going to feel like we hardly see each other.. But after the 6 weeks is done it will all be worth it!!
I have been back at work for 5 hours, and already I miss my family so very much and I really really can't wait until my next holiday with my beautiful family!!!

My beautiful family...

As I sift through another day, as is the case with most days, I can't help but reflect on how lucky I am... With so much turmoil, grief and plain stupidity in the world today, all I need to do is think of my family, not just immediate, but whole family and remember how blessed I am.

The Dennis Family - My "in-laws" are the most tight knit family unit that I know. Leanne and Mervyn have done the most fantastic job raised four of the sweetest girls you will ever meet. The whole family has been nothing short of accomodating since I met them, most importantly to Lucas who they all immediately took as thier own. The 3 girls have played such an important role in his life already and just to see his face light up when he is going to see Auntie Ange, or Auntie Woz, or Auntie Cole is as precious a sight as you will see. Of course, now the whole family has another little slice of precious to dote upon and of course Ella will be spoilt rotten just like her big brother... :)

My Family - Well I might give some stick to my family sometimes, I love them dearly and they have certainly played the title role in helping develop who I am today. Dad has always copped it the most, but he is always there for me, no matter what, will even get in his car at 5 in the morning to come and save me from a flat when I "forgot" my Jack. Mum is just the sweetest, she has given all 4 of us nothing but all her love, and now both Leighroy and I are lucky that our children have a Nan that completely adores them. Leighroy of course is my best mate, through thick and thin he is always right there for me, as his his gorgeous wife Liz... The both of them I could never ever thank enough. Then there is Ness, a girl with the brightest and bubbliest personality, seriously, when there is one person I need to light up the room, it will always be Vanessa, she is having a rough time at the moment, but I really hope she gets through it all.. I just want to see that gorgeous shine through her again!!!

My gorgeous gorgeous children - Nobody, and I repeat, nobody, is as lucky as I am.. I have the most gorgeous boy in the world who has already showed he has a heart of gold. He has the sweetest smile and forever I will be right there for him as my Dad is for me, whatever he needs, whenever he needs it, unless it's ridiculous, then he will cop it ;)
Now, my gorgeous princess Ella has joined our family.. From first sight, it is impossible not to fall in love with my little girl.. But a word of advice for any boys in the future, I am purchasing a shot gun and I will use it :)

And of course, last, but never ever least is the love of my life, my gorgeous wife.. Donna is the inspiration to my every day, her smile can light even the darkest of moments. I couldn't think of a single second that I wouldn't want her right by my side. Just passing 5 months married and not a single second goes by that I don't think of her. Sharing the joy of Ella coming into the world was just fantastic and now we get to watch both of our children grow together, the next chapter that we were so looking forward to.. I love Donna with everything I have..

So there is a little run down of my gorgeous and wonderful family... The story continues :)

Time for a proper type blog...

Well, after all this time, I believe that it is indeed time for a proper type blog to express my feelings, thoughts and random decisions... I have no followers, and possibly never will have, but that is fine with me.. As long as I have this outlet for random thinking, a way to express my way of life.

Unlike my last attempt.. I will definitely try to keep this one going, if even just to sometimes vent or to shout from the roof tops the latest in my wonderful world..

Whatever the case.. Here it is and from hereon in will be...

To my zero followers, thank you.. To anyone that may at some stage follow this, you are welcome to stick around and enjoy the view...

You will be hearing from me soon...