Steve Gray YHS 1970 - Dear YOGA Members, I have received a few copies of the newsletters now and delight in some of the stories, especially when I can relate to the places, events and 'things' people remember. One of the stories recently mentioned the fruit trees in back yards. This sent my memory bank into overload and the further mention of 'sore tummies' really clinched it! As a youngster (8 - 10yrs I guess) when the demise of Yallourn was announced, it meant little to me, but I watched with interest as various people popped up in the news - Mrs Smith seemed to stand out for some reason…..and then later on, a few houses started to be moved out, amidst various placard-bearing protesters. For myself and friends (Alan Barnard and Geoff Castell), it was a great time, new fruit trees were being spotted as the vacant blocks opened up the viewing into other yards (remember there were often gaps in fences and from the height of a 26" bike you can see a lot over fences anyway…) As lads, we watched many a house being jacked up and off we would go on our bikes to check out more interesting bits and pieces. We soon figured out people had been told to watch out for anyone wanting to vandalise empty houses etc, (for us this was not the aim, the fruit on the trees was our goal!) As the grass in vacant houses grew longer we could zip up the driveway on our bikes and scurry up a plum tree in double quick time, the bikes lying in the long grass were well hidden. Then we would gorge ourselves on the fruit. It was great fun. The sore tummies did not stop us and over time, we figured out the trees which had been well maintained, were the easiest to climb and score fruit from. One day we spent a good 20 minutes motionless as an elderly neighbour to one of the houses came looking, he had been in his backyard and saw us go in. The silence was amazing! Three 'likely lads' peering down on a bald patch and not giggling was very interesting. Of course the gentleman in question checked the view through every window of the house, and checked the shed before heading off scratching his 'shiny noggin'. We made our entry and exit strategies with greater stealth after that, simply because waiting to eat fruit was excruciating! I have many fond memories of Yallourn and this is but one!
