A HIGHLIGHT of the year for all the kids and their parents, in and around Nelson Bay, was the Annual Picnic Day. From what I have gathered any visitors arriving in Nelson Bay on that day must have thought that they had just set foot in a ghost town, as the place was all but deserted.

Here the Lund kids share with you their experience:

“The night before the school picnic was like the night before Christmas.

“With the excitement of tomorrow pending, sleep didn’t come easily.

“Then, suddenly, it was here – Picnic Day!

“Mum would be busy getting food, drinks and blankets ready while dad worked on the boat as the ‘Aurora’ was always one of the fishing trawlers that carried Nelson Bay school kids and their parents from the Co-op wharf to Banks’ Farm (Taylors Beach) for a wonderful day of fun every year.

“The boats were always a picture that day with scrubbed decks and flags flying.

“There were usually four boats: the ‘Aurora’, uncle Arch Thompson’s ‘Dawn’, uncle Jim Hill’s ‘Duncan’, Roger Coin’s ‘Terri K’ and later Alf Mitchell’s ‘Eileen-Sylvia’ and others joined the fleet.

“We would all board our favourite boat and sit wherever we could find a space ready for the trip, which was alive with the anticipation of the day ahead.

“The dolphins always provided much entertainment and we would lie on our stomachs and watch them surfacing at the bow, keeping pace with the boat.

“On arrival we scrambled ashore and proceeded to find and mark our spot for the day with the laying down of blankets and other necessities on the ground, which had already been mown in readiness.

“Soon the races began with much encouragement from the spectators.

“Running, skipping, sack races, wheelbarrow races (often resulting in a few sore noses), three legged races, egg and spoon, hop, skip and jump race, and blindfold races – it was so exciting.

“It wasn’t all for kids, one of the adult races was the ‘honeymoon race’ in which a couple ran hand in hand to the end of the field, stopped, exchanged clothing (outer layer) and ran hand in hand back again.

“Everyone won a prize. On those wonderful days, there were never any losers.

“All activities ceased for an hour or so in the middle of the day for a much needed lunch break to recharge the batteries and then it was on again.

“Towards the end of the day, out came the bucket of icecreams in dried ice.

“The ice was as exciting as the icecreams.

“I remember the burning sensation when we touched it and the steamy fizz it made when it landed in the water.

“Often we would have to wait for the tide to come in so that we could leave for home.

“I remember lighting a fire and putting on big clumps of oysters and waiting impatiently for them to open so we could have a feast.

“All too soon we were on our way home.

“Some of us would end up on the bunks and invariably there would be a singalong.

“We were all tired and happy and, unlike the night before, we would have no trouble sleeping.”

Coral Brycker (nee Hill), a student at Nelson Bay Primary School from 1948-49, has similar recollections of the wonderful day out.

“I remember the excitement leading up to the day and especially the enjoyment of all on the boat trips.

“The togetherness, the sights on the beautiful harbour, the singing up and back, the salt spray, the gulls and dolphins that always appeared to lead the boats home.

“Once home the tiredness that comes after a great day of boating and picnicking and good fun.

“I thank the fishermen of the day for those happy memories. What a great privilege it was to spend one’s childhood growing up in Nelson Bay.”

By John ‘Stinker’ CLARKE