Here, we’ve asked three generations of a Redlands family what Father’s Day means to them.
Father’s Day originated in the USA in 1910 and reached Australia by 1936. Explanations for the September date include a desire to avoid all the public holidays in the first half of the year, a celebration of spring, and the commercial consideration of spacing it out from Mother’s Day and Christmas. Over the years, it has grown into a gift-giving extravaganza, but for three generations of one Redlands family, it still retains the original ethos of family and appreciation.
Bruce Smith remembers the day as being low-key during his childhood in the 1950s
“It wasn’t a big deal; we were probably only aware of it because it was on the calendar. There was no TV, and we listened to the ABC on the radio, so if there were any ads, we didn’t hear them. We didn’t buy Dad a present, just a card from the newsagent – and he wasn’t expected to do much on the day. I was in boarding school for secondary schooling, so we didn’t even think about it; there were no societal or family expectations.”
For Bruce, the strongest memory of Father’s Day was the focus on what sort of man his father was.
“My father always seemed to be doing something for other people, and he’d often get me to help, so Father’s Day came to symbolise the role model of what I thought a father should be; I hope I’ve set as good an example. A meaningful Father’s Day for me is just having a family day, keeping it simple, and enjoying the experience.”
For Laurence Smith, like his father, the concept of Father’s Day is a broader brushstroke than the “one day” concept.
“I don’t recall making too much of a fuss about Father’s Day. There were stalls at school and we used to be smuggled a little bit of money clandestinely from Mum. We usually bought Dad liquorice allsorts – always gratefully accepted – and the standard card. For all that, I have a high regard for community – I’m less volunteer-oriented and more family-oriented. It’s awareness of the role of the father that matters. Spending time together with Dad is important; you don’t need just one day of the year for it.”
Harrison, Laurence’s nine-year-old son, has a beautifully uncomplicated – and generous – nine-year-old’s take on Father’s Day.
“Mum gives me money and I go to the shop in the school’s music room and buy something for Dad. Last year, I got him a sort of car with a tyre for keeping paper clips in. For Dad and Poppy (Bruce), I make a card – I pick something out of my line drawing book. This year, I think I’ll draw a picture of Dad in the middle. I haven’t decided on his present yet – and I haven’t decided yet what to cook him for breakfast. The best thing to do on Father’s Day is just hang out with my Dad. I love my Dad – he’s the best Dad in the world.”
So, has Father’s Day changed? Laurence has the last word.
“I think it’s easy to fall for the current commercialism of Father’s Day – ad campaigns implying that you should cover dad’s workshop wall with matching power tools because that’s what dads want and expect – and you can pay $12 for a basic Father’s Day card. We’re trying to resist the philosophy that all you need to show someone you care is a price tag. The most expensive thing you can give is what there’s only a limited amount of: time.”
