The Paddo of my Youth

Paddington Playground, late 1970s

Pic courtesy of Sue Elliot (PTSS Past Sudent Group)

The Paddo of my youth is no longer there

I feel it's like progress just doesn't care

The fun and games we used to have, each and every day

I wouldn't change it, not one bit, not in any way

Walking into the city, or swimming at the pool

Watching footy at Lang Park, screaming and yelling like a fool

Over at a mate’s house, sometimes we would play

On our bikes or go-carts to help fill in the day

Down the hills, fast we would ride 

Scared stiff - we nearly cried

Looking back I think to myself… We could have bloody died!

No helmets, shoes or sunscreen, we really didn't care 

But when we got hurt… we got our parents' evil stare!

Nothing was out of bounds, you see, there was no CCTV

It was only us, my friend, just my mates and me.

Exploring the empty Boot Factory, we even climbed in trees

We did pretty much anything… were young and free.

From tiggy and Red Rover, we played cricket, too

We hardly sat around, with nothing much to do.

We'd while away the time, playing from 9 till 5 

But when the street lights turned on, it was time to say goodbye

The PCYC, if you were fit, with boxing, judo and karate 

Occasionally, a school dance, or someone had a party

The Paddo, the Caxton, or the Prince Alfred, you’d have a drink

Or have a laugh at Dirty Dicks, just to throw it in the mix.

Hughie Williams taught the Wrestling,

The takeaway… Leo... he cooked the food

Jack Pesch fixed the bikes we broke when we were riding like a fool

Ahhh, the Paddo Pictures, how could I forget?

That place was friggin’ awesome, with that mate you could bet

Sitting on the canvas seats with the movies you would see

Spend an hour or two there, it was just the screen and me

Go next door to the snack bar and see the chequered floor

On the right, the pinball, just inside the door

We'd play that thing for hours, to play for that defeat 

At least with the pinball, you couldn't really cheat

Then we'd pool our money for a shake ’n’ chips.

So everyone could gather ’round, grab a seat and share a treat

The Windmill near the Barracks, for your late night feasts and fare

Go in there some nights and see friends that could be there

What have I forgotten? The ice works on the holidays!

You'd be hot and bothered, from being hard at play

The ice that we would scrounge for 

They'd let us in the door

To pick up all the ice that was sitting on the floor

Take handfuls away, then off we'd go

We knew we had to go fast

Because if we went too slow, the ice, it wouldn't last

My favourite place - the Playground - it was paradise

Mrs Dodds who ran it, she was really nice

Every day, an adventure, there was so much to do

Use your imagination, there's a little clue

Big slide, roman rings, merry-go-round, see-saws and even trains

We loved those things immensely, we never did complain

Tractor tyre down on the oval - jump inside, you would hop!

By the end, you were feeling sick, and you were glad that it did stop

Round and round and round, you'd travel, the faster you would go 

We seemed to live dangerously… at the time, that was the go

Down the back, the big swings… adrenaline pumping as you went higher

For those that were game enough to be a high flyer

That's the Paddo of my youth… that’s a bit I can recall

I miss you, the old Paddo…

Have a good day one and all.

by Brett McAnally