As I write up this blog, Greater Sydney is in its seventh week of its 2nd lockdown of the Covid-19 Pandemic and, the first lockdown for 2021. Sydney is feeling the loss of many freedoms, for me, I reflect on the fact that 2021 has been a significant year of loss, with the death of my father in February. The death was unexpected.
Despite the fact that he had many health issues in his life since his mid 40s, he always seemed to be positive and somehow he was able to bounce back. He never showed fear of forthcoming operations and once he turned his life to the Lord, he had more faith and peace with the situation. He gained strength and encouragement with his faith, thanking God for being able to experience and enjoy another day of life on earth. Notwithstanding his death, he died when he was still mobile and fairly independent , enjoying time in his garden and I am grateful for that. He was a man who I could not see withering away in a nursing home. Rest in Peace Dad, you no longer need to deal with anymore health issues.
Revelation 21:4
"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
My dad was not a modeller but he influenced me in making the most of what you have despite limited skills or abilities. He migrated to Australia after meeting my mother and knew little English. He built me a wooden service station for my Matchbox cars (whereas most parents would have bought them a wooden one). He also built a raised baseboard in the lounge room for my Lego town and Lego train set. He was the one in the family advocating adventures for the family whether that will be holidaying, going on outings or moving house.
Above: Me and my dad and his first car, Toyota Corona. The second photo is pictured with my mum. My dad learnt to drive when he came to Australia in 1966.
A Tribute through modelling
I wanted to give a tribute to him in my modelling and found this a couple of years ago when I found a 1/87 scale model kit of my dad's, first car, a 1966 Toyota Corona made by a small scale manufacturer 87RPM. The death of my dad gave me motivation to finally build the car.
I added further details to the model by getting number plates decals made and adding an aerial and aftermarket photo etched windscreen wipers. The model didn't come with wheels or tyres so I had source appropriate ones that would fit this model that were not too large.
Memories of the Toyota Corona
My dad didn't own a car until he came to Australia. Whilst everyone was buying Holdens, Fords and Chryslers and English brands, he took the opportunity to buy one of the few Toyotas that were available for sale in the Australian market. He knew the quality was excellent from his previous travels as a seaman to Japan. My dad learnt to drive in this car and as we lived in the suburbs of Sydney we drove everywhere instead of taking public transport. My 1970s layout is based on many of these memories of the suburbs around my childhood home: trips to Roselands, my nan's place in Narwee and travelling up and down Canterbury road. Below is a photo of my memory of a trip to Hartees in Canterbury in the early 1970s.
