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Growing up in Darwin & Humpty Doo

by Peta
(WA)

Born in Darwin 1965, we first lived in Stuart Park, then behind the old Tom's Tyres in Parap.

Went to Parap pre-school then 1 yr at Parap primary. Remember using the monkey bars to get away from the Frilled Neck Lizards & being given small cartons of Paul's milk every day.

Watching movies at the opened roof Parap movie theatre with umbrellas when it rained.

My Dad raced a Saloon Car at the Bagot Park Speedway every 2nd Saturday night and we went camping every other weekend.

Exploring the huge sandstone cliffs at Nightcliff Beach opposite the old "Seabreeze Hotel"
whilst my parents were socialising.

We moved to Alawa in 1971, & I went to Alawa Primary school. Remember learning the "Nutbush City Limits" dance & falling in love with Suzi Quatro at that school and my favourite teacher was Miss Bytheway.

Going mud crabbing with my Dad in Rapid Creek and Buffalo Creek and keeping a constant lookout for crocodile's.

Walking for what seemed hours as the tide at Casuarina & Nightcliff beaches went out, then not being able to swim during the wet season because of the stingers!

Then Cyclone Tracy turned our world upside down. (Strong winds still scare me 40+ yrs later). Our primary school moved to Casuarina High School whilst it's was being prepared.

Moved to Humpty Doo in 1978 - roller staking, jumping off the old railway track on the Stuart Highway (just B4 Noonamah), Graham Gow's reptile World and rounding up wild Buffalo with my Dad & uncles in the wetlands past Adelaide River.

Exploring Batchelor & Rum Jungle with my cousins (who lived there) and just running amok everytime we visited.

Went to Casuarina High then Darwin High School.

Great place for kids to grow up.