Key Takeaways:
- The author’s family has been hosting a large New Year’s Eve party in Western Australia since 1977, which features a decades-long water bomb war.
- The water bomb war involves family members of all ages and has become a beloved tradition, with its own set of rules and procedures.
- The war has evolved over the years, with new technologies and innovations being introduced, but has recently begun to wind down as the younger generation becomes less interested.
- The author’s family has a complex and often chaotic relationship with the town of Fremantle, where the party is held, and has had run-ins with the police and firefighters over the years.
- Despite the chaos and destruction caused by the water bomb war, the author’s family has no regrets and is even considering reviving the tradition.
Introduction to the Family Tradition
For most people, New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection, renewal, and celebration. However, for the author’s family, it is a time for something entirely different: a decades-long water bomb war that has become a beloved tradition. The author’s parents have been hosting a large New Year’s Eve party in Western Australia since 1977, which features tables and tables of food, singing, and teary speeches. However, the highlight of the party is the water bomb war, which involves family members of all ages and has become a central part of the family’s identity.
The Water Bomb War: A Family Affair
The water bomb war is a complex and often chaotic event that involves family members of all ages. The war is fought between different family clans, with each clan having its own strategies and techniques. The war is fueled by a communal pot of water balloons, which are filled and refilled throughout the day. The author describes the war as "environmentally catastrophic," with hundreds of water balloons being thrown and burst throughout the day. Despite the chaos, there are rules to the war, including no direct hits, no targeting of homeless people or pregnant women, and no throwing when stopped at a red light.
The Role of the White Van
At the heart of the water bomb war is the author’s mother’s giant white van, which serves as a mobile citadel and a symbol of the family’s tradition. The van is used to launch bombing raids on the town of Fremantle, where the party is held. The author describes the van as a "choice spot for the youngest among us to cower behind," as the bombs explode loudly on its roof. The van is also used to resupply the family with water balloons, which are stored in bin bags and buckets in the back of the van.
The Town of Fremantle: A Reluctant Participant
The town of Fremantle has a complex and often fraught relationship with the author’s family. The family’s water bomb war has become a community event of sorts, with some residents watching from their homes and others participating in the war. However, the war has also led to run-ins with the police and firefighters, who have tried to shut down the war on several occasions. The author notes that the town has changed over the years, and many of the residents who remember the war have moved away or passed on.
The Evolution of the Water Bomb War
The water bomb war has evolved over the years, with new technologies and innovations being introduced. The author notes that the war has become less intense in recent years, as the younger generation becomes less interested in participating. However, the war is still a beloved tradition, and the author’s family is considering reviving it in the future. The author notes that the war has become a way for the family to connect with each other and with their past, and that it is an important part of their identity.
Conclusion: A Tradition of Chaos and Joy
The author’s family’s water bomb war is a unique and chaotic tradition that has become a central part of their identity. Despite the destruction and chaos caused by the war, the author’s family has no regrets and is even considering reviving the tradition. The war is a testament to the power of family and tradition, and the ways in which these can bring people together and create lasting memories. As the author notes, the war may be messy and chaotic, but it is also a way for the family to connect with each other and with their past, and to create new memories that will last a lifetime.