By Tanya Steele
Ghouls, goblins and witches hit the main streets across the Yarra Ranges and then began roaming the hills on the hunt for lollies – Star Mail journalist Tanya Steele succumbed to the fun (with no prompting required) and went out with her family on All Hallow’s Eve.
Belly dancing witches, spooky haunted fire stations and more saw this Halloween celebrated with gusto as enthusiasts got dressed to impress and hit the hills on 31 October for the southern hemisphere version of Halloween in Australia and personally, I am here for it.
Firmly in camp yes please, I have enjoyed Halloween for many a year. Having lived overseas in America for a span, I absolutely do not mind a bit of fun for the sake of it. I am curious to see how it will evolve over time, in our country in particular it is more of a Spring’O’Ween after all.
From Cockatoo to Belgrave, Lilydale and across to Upper Ferntree Gully, Halloween celebrations kicked off in the mid-afternoon and families wandered the streets with little ones, while older kids branched out in lolly hunting hordes.
This year many streets prepared well ahead of time, posting to social media about where to trick or treat in the Dandenongs. Some lovely good samaritans got in the spirit and donated lollies to give away on the more popular streets, a lovely way to collaborate and share the cost of the tasty treats. One family in Upper Ferntree Gully had a lolly bucket in a wagon and gave out treats as they visited the dressed up houses.
The weather delivered spots of balmy sunshine with a few spots of cloud cover that could almost be considered spooky in the later afternoon. Happy laughter and exclamations saw people spotting costumes from a distance.
Halloween can be what you make it and regardless of the many opinions that emerge over the concept in our sunburnt country, the chance to have a big ranging walk, dress up to be a bit silly and chat to the neighbours can’t be sniffed at.
It is much fun. If I didn’t live on a giant hill I would try to up my decorating game for sure. But checking out the decorated houses is part of the joy. Now excuse me while I go investigate the contents of my child’s treat bucket.
