le premier jour de l'hiver

Today was a day of coconuts and spray paint.

I went along and participated in a few fun activities set up by Gap Filler, an organisation started up by some cool people after the earthquake to fill the gaps left by demolition.

We were handed spray cans and told to add to the brightly-coloured tangle of messages and pictures covering old pieces of furniture, contribute to the love and supportive words. I felt so badass vandalizing furniture! (although my form of vandalism was a loveheart stenciled everywhere)

We went on to play coconut bowling at a makeshift bowling alley further down the street. A little different and a lot more juicy than normal bowling!

It's a strange feeling, playing games and laughing like normal when across the road, a street of abandoned boutiques and cafes lies fenced off from the public. Today I went back to the place where I was when the earthquake hit and I feel okay about it, that time and place seems a world away now. Everything has changed a lot, it doesn't feel like the same street I walked down. It's the not knowing that bites worst: will I ever get to see my school again? That thrift store? What about the place where I sat holding a new boyfriend's hand? The beautiful chapel that I sang Hallelujah in?

cream velvet dress, dollhouse

lace crop top, thrifted

coat, melbourne markets

It was a lovely sunny day with no hint of gloom. Funny, the first day of winter.

(all photos taken by Frances Martin)