WHEN Richelle Brehaut was only a little tacker she met her husband-to-be, Stuart Brehaut, on the playground at Figtree Holiday Village when she was six.
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Now they are bringing their children Hudson and Arley to the place where it all began, along with her parents Helen and Ken Streader, who have returned each year to the park for their summer holiday for the past 28 years.
The Brehauts who live in Ballarat enjoy bringing their family back to Warrnambool.
“It’s nice to bring our boys back to the place we met,” said Richelle.
“We’ve made lifelong friends here. When I was 13 I met my closest friend who will hopefully come next year.”
Mrs Brehaut said the village had a great atmosphere for children.
“The kids can run around, ride their bikes and play cricket.
“It’s important socially too, they meet a lot of other kids,” she said.
Richelle’s mum, Helen Streader, said her family originally came to Warrnambool from their family home in Boort nearly three decades ago because the holiday village offered ensuites for the caravan.
“We came down for the convenience of the en suites with young children,” she said.
“Our four children have grown up down here holidaying together and our eldest son also married a girl that he met here.”
Both families, who arrived on Boxing Day for three weeks, love the easygoing feel at Figtree.
“It’s a safe, quiet park, with a lovely family atmosphere,” Mrs Streader said.
“I’d be devastated if we couldn’t come each year.
“We have made lifelong friends and it’s like a reunion. It’s so exciting when everyone arrives.”
Mrs Streader said they particularly enjoyed the cooler weather compared to summer in her home town.
“We love Warrnambool, especially the weather. It’s not as hot as in Boort.”