Christmas Eve 1964 approximately. As most people know, I grew up on a farm 10 miles outside of Mansfield in the high country of Victoria, heading towards Tolmie. This is where my Mum and Dad had their farm.

Anyone who ever grew up on a farm knows how life is, what work is, and the meaning of having nothing…….you worked hard for what you achieve. And that is a lesson instilled in myself and my siblings for the rest of our lives.

That year on Christmas Eve Dad took the family into the bush up towards Tolmie to cut down a pine tree for our Christmas tree. We hung balloons and home streamers. I can still smell in my mind’s eye and very much miss the smell of a pine tree for Christmas

Mum came to us boys, said, we need to leave Christmas cake out for Santa and carrot for his reindeers when they come, and off to bed. Santa comes only when good boys are asleep.

Christmas morning my brother two years older than me said, did you hear last night Santa I heard Santa come, he arrived in a ute! Come on Jeff. We both ran outside and low and behold Santa did come that night he left us both a swing and slide…WOW that was a great Christmas surprise.

Thinking back and speaking with my Mum and Dad they told us how Santa delivered the swing and slide on the back of the milk truck. And Mum and Dad put it together in the dark and it would have been pitch black.

How things are change with the world today. I miss a child growing up with the innocence, hard work of the farm life…the simple life. The fresh vegetables and orchard of fruits, fresh milk, and meat. Know the world believes it comes from a supermarket. Children expected to receive gifts better than their friends, where we had nothing and learnt to be grateful of what we had.

My Story is about a rich and fulfilled childhood of growing up to appreciate the best things in life. I can still see Grandma Gear making the best puff pastry, cakes and biscuits for a woman who never went to school to learn to read or write. And my Grandma Cleeland with her Scottish heritage, I can still see my Grandma cooking for her family at Christmas, the turkey, Ham her Christmas cake and pudding that has been handed down for generations. Both Grandparents where amazing cooks.

This is My Story Merry Christmas to all who read.