Indre Kisonas
In a bid to get his grandsons off their screens, Russell Jenkin, who ran the local hardware store for more than 50 years, pulled out his recently found Donkey Engine and was excited as could be, anticipating the awe on the boys faces when the methylated spirits were lit and the steam was steaming and driving the fly wheel. It used to fascinate Russell as a boy on his back verandah and he spent many hours making it work. His grandsons however, looked at it for a moment, turned and walked away. Toys are not what they used to be. I must admit, I had to look up what a Donkey Engine was. Perhaps letting kids play with matches and metho is no longer a good idea?
When I was a child, I had a Golly Wog thatI played with and adored. He was my companion and accompanied me on many backyard adventures. One day Golly Wog was not there. I was mortified. No amount of searching or wondering as to his whereabouts would find him again. It wasn’t until I was with my own kids, lamenting the loss of my childhood companion, that my mother admitted that they got rid of Golly Wog out of political correctness.
Erin had a big stuffed Lassie dog that was her constant companion. Asking Erin about her childhood friend brought a smile with remembrance at the time they spent together. Erin took Lassie everywhere but was stopped at taking Lassie on a plane to the USA. Not long after, Erin’s mother also got rid of Lassie – thinking of Lassie not as a treasured friend and companion but as an old, dusty relic that took up space.
I had to stop and wonder which of my children’s treasured toys I had perhaps thrown in haste during a de-clutter. To me, if the toy doesn’t withstand the washing machine, it shouldn’t exist. Harsh I know, but hygienic.
Noel Muscat, our treasured local, has a very sad tale to tell about his treasured teddy bear. He shared a bedroom with an older, rascal of a brother who was having a rowdy “gathering” when Noel got home. Noel went straight to his bedroom to find his much-loved Teddy with his leg pulled off! Absolute heart break for Teddy and Noel! Noel now consoles himself with a very impressive Scalextric slot-car track. Having grown up being one of many kids, there was never enough space to keep a slot car track out to play with. When Noel got the chance to add an attic space in his own home, he set up his own slot car track. This could stay set up and Noel has spent many hours making the track scenery, playing and tweaking this treasure.
On the other hand, we have Isaac. Isaac grew up on a farm and was one of five kids. He wasn’t allowed to play inside. His days were spent outside, paddock bashing. He said his toy was an old paddock basher that he used to drive around. Asked how old he was at the time, “About eight,” he said. Then he said he used to throw tomahawks at the trees. They were his toys.
A lot of toys have changed during the time of a generation or two. Health and safety issues for some, lead paint or mercury for others. Room to roam in the backyard or neighbourhood has all but disappeared.
The common denominator I witnessed with everyone I talked to was the pleasure and light seen on each face as they recalled their treasured toys. Each had gone back to a time when they played, had fun and were for a time, carefree. Toys hold precious memories.
Can you recall the memories stirred by your treasured childhood toy?
Footnote: Russell’s Donkey Engine now resides at the Daylesford Historical Society for those who would like to familiarise themselves with one.
Indre Kisonas is a Daylesford resident and the owner and principal designer of iok design. She specialises in colour & interior design.
