These are the GOOD OLD DAYS

Longtime Torquay resident Andrew Flitton has lived in and around Torquay for nearly 40 years and has written a new song
“Everything Must Change” about the town’s evolving landscape.

“I wrote it about Torquay/Jan Juc but it’s relevant to everywhere. It’s about change being all around us, some good, some not so good – but it’s how you look at it,” Mr Flitton said.

“Lots of older people in town refer to the ‘good old days’ but for new people this is their good old days.”

He’s been performing the song with his band Jarosite, where he plays guitar and sings, Ben Day is on harmonica, Oscar Lalor is on electric guitar and vocals, and Tommy Castles is on percussion.

“Tommy is an accomplished guitarist and performer in his own right and also records and produces our songs at his Lotus Studio in Torquay,” he said.

“Most recently, Jasper Bingham has been helping us out with bass and Jasper is also an accomplished performer and guitar teacher himself at Waves Music Torquay.”

The song’s film clip features Super 8 footage from a 1973 Oberon school project by Glen Turnbull, Rod Belton, Adrian Borsje and Kim Potter.

“The old photos are from Torquay Museum Without Walls. The song was first written – when I heard about a large resort, that was to be built close to one of our favorite surf spots – and began negatively about the advancing development,” he said.

“Having lived around Torquay for nearly 40 years there’s been a lot of change but as I thought about it, people move to the area for the same reason everyone else has. For these new people and their children, these will be their ‘good old days’ like ours were in the ‘70s.

“Change is inevitable and not necessarily bad. Many things, like the coastal foreshores and vegetation is better than it ever was. The vision and commitment by local action groups has ensured that the beauty that everyone enjoys is preserved for future generations.”

He said the song is about realising that we spend a lot of time pushing ourselves without seeing the change that’s constantly going on around us.

“We need to pause and acknowledge the people and beauty that’s around us, because it’ll never stay the same.”

Jarosite will be performing “Everything Must Change” alongside covers and originals on January 20 from 2pm at Bellbrae Estate Winery, located at 520 Great Ocean Road, Bellbrae.

To view the film clip, visit youtube.com/watch?v=JNzfB6gFWXc.