Fathers’ Day

It is Fathers Day in the Southern Hemisphere, and I am already seeing the photos flow in from my buddies who are celebrating their first day being the main event. Congrats to all of you.

For me, this will be the last one I celebrate before our child is born; I’m already looking forward to the breakfast in bed in 365 days!

Today, however, I wanted to share a photo of my dad. As many of you know, my Dad passed away five years ago from lung cancer (he wasn’t a smoker, for those who feel compelled to ask [and you would be amazed how many do!]).

This photo was taken on a winter’s day at Mt Stirling, in the Australian High Country. This must have been taken when I was around 7 or so, judging by the age of my sisters. So 25 years ago. A different world.

I remember this being the first time I had ever seen snow, and we had decided to do a family trip tobogganing. We took another photo on this day, where I clearly remember I wanted everyone to think I was a super cool snowboarder, so I posed in a position that I thought would fool people into thinking as such. It turns out that just standing sideways with your hands up trying to balance isn’t particularly persuasive.

The actual toboggan experience escapes almost all of my memory. I think there may have been a bit where I went too fast and stacked it, but I can’t be certain. What I can tell you is that is what the first chapter of a long relationship with the mountains and the snow. From learning to ski on Mt Buller, to getting the tax payer to fund my Merrijig Primary School Excursions (for another time), to skiing in NZ, Japan, Europe and now America, it has been a source of a great deal of fun.

This is the photo where it all began.

Happy Fathers’ Day