Nothing Like Home
- Feb 21, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 13
20 Everitt Road, Otara
This was the spot for us Setu kids. 20 Everitt Road, baby—the heart of Otara. A four-bedroom weatherboard house, double garage, and massive yards for us to go hard in. We had the Temara's on one side and the Balam's family on the other. One of my besties lived right across the road, and it was just a quick 3-minute mission to Yendarra Primary or a 10-minute stroll to Tin City. Those were the days, eh? Proper warm childhood memories. There’d be over 20 kids hanging out front, the whole neighborhood just vibing, lol. It was safe, it was fun, and we didn't have no gadgets keeping us cooped up inside all day... boring!
My mind is bursting with all the memories—the good, the bad, and the ugly! Don’t get it twisted, we definitely didn't have a picture-perfect upbringing. I got the classic fasi’s with whatever was handy—belt, broom, even the hose, haha! But honestly? I’m grateful for that discipline. It was never the best feeling at the time. But growing up, I realized it prepared me for the harsh world outside and It shaped my attitude and kept me on the right path when life got heavy.
We lived a simple life, for reals. We weren’t a rich family; Mum and Dad had the vege garden going out back. I loved sitting there with Dad, washing tomatoes with the hose and eating them straight off the vine. Yum, too good. We had the peach and apple trees, cats, dogs, and the neighbor’s baby chickens running amok. And the chores! Mum showed me how to scrub the toilet—behind, around, and inside. She’d be on her knees telling me never to be scared of the yuck. I’m glad she did, ‘cause now I’m a clean-freak. We learned to cook, do the laundry with the old wringer machine, and iron for a family of nine! The boys did the outside work, but I was a bit of a tomboy, so I’d always find my way out there too.
I’d follow my older brothers, climb the roof of the house or garage, and try to jump off. One time I did, and man, it didn't go well. Landed flat on my back, felt like my heart stopped "THHHUMPP" time to meet my Maker! Most of the street would meet at our front gate to play bulrush, tag, or cricket—that was the 70s norm. And shopping day? Mum had this old-school pram that was big enough for me, three others, and the groceries, lol! I remember Yogi Bears, McKenzies, and waiting outside the TAB for Dad to finish his bets. I can still hear the clanging of the glass milk bottles when the truck came by.
School was a buzz, too. I used to be shy about taking cabin bread for lunch some days. Sometimes I had nothing, and yeah, I even got caught stealing food from other kids’ bags once! (Not my proudest moment, but we move, haha!) On school photo day, we couldn't always afford it, so, one time I forged a note and slipped it on the teacher's desk just so I could be in the class photo. I didn't want to be labelled the "poor kid," you know? Walking to school barefoot? No biggie. Hand-me-downs? Like treasure. Even the cockroaches at home didn't bother me—if they crawled on my food, I’d just flick ‘em off and keep eating. When you're hungry, you're hungry! We never locked the back door because we didn't have anything worth taking anyway! But birthdays were the best—Mum would send the brothers to the dairy for an ice-block or some fish 'n' chips, and that was a massive treat. We’d all sit around the table together—proper family time that you don't see much of these days.
Parents nowadays need to let kids be kids. Let them get muddy, dance in the rain, be creative! You don't need money to give them the best life; just give them your time. Build a skateboard, teach them to sew. I was hemming skirts at 8 years old on an old Singer machine just by watching Mum work her magic.
Growing up as a Pacific Island kid in a low-income home in Otara made me who I am. I’m so grateful for those ups and downs because they keep me grounded. Always remember: no matter how hard you think you have it, there’s always someone out there doing it tougher. Stay grateful!
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