December Story 22: 27/12/2020 Jard Street, Mt Archer, Kershaw Gardens

My Number One thing to do was to on my list was get to Jard Street for a family photo. It’s been a while since I have visited Rocky, Easter (March / April) 2019 in fact. It’s been a while and with COVID and other things going on, who knows when I will be back.

So what’s the story is for the street name? My grandfather is definitely William Jard (my Pop) and my grandmother was Lorna Jard (my Nanna). My godmother Teresa Doblo, served on the city council and was asked in her serving term as a councillor, what names for streets she wanted to put forward. She chose Jard after Nanna because of her work in the community advocating for education for Aboriginal kids. That's the story. The Jards are small but well known in Rockhampton. The Street is in Frenchville so very close to my sister and niece who go for a walk halfway up Mount Archer on most days. There was new construction on Mt Archer as well so it was very good to stop by and have a look. I was also on the look out to see the Acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners while up there and was glad to find it. Rockhampton is a seriously hot place climate wise and it was beautiful to be up there with a breeze and at a temperature that was at least 4 degrees cooler. It’s a busy place with tourists, families, Sunday drivers, and people doing exercise. The girls played, it happens everywhere and indulged us by letting us set up another group photo at the top of the mountain boardwalk.

We were tired but had one more place to go before we could call it a day. The Kershaw Gardens has been upgraded with extended playgrounds. We had a vegan feast while the girls were in the wading pool. It was hot, and the playground would have been better on a cooler day but it was fun to go on a final adventure. Some Murri boys were doing tricks on the mini trampolines. A bit shy once I started watching but so skilful. The girls headed home for another swim in the hotel pool while Michael organised dinner. Naliandrah read Alice in Wonderland from a vintage story book that was a gift to the girls for Christmas. Its illustrations are incredible. It didn’t take long for the babies to fall asleep.

The photos of Mumma and Daddy on the phone are the rare moments we get to organise the ‘next part of the trip’. We got so lucky with so much open over the Christmas period. We get yelled at every time we pick them up. Due to 'no more photos Muma' and a lack of attention. Ha!