The Struth family live about 500 metres away from Surfside Two and first started coming to the holiday park when their eldest child was 18-months-old.

"Originally we came down with our friends because the dads were still working and all the mums could help each other look after the kids," Mrs Struth said.

"We could stay here and it always felt like a holiday even when the dads were working and it meant we could use their holiday time to go somewhere else.

"We always celebrate Jeremy Bolden's birthday on January 4 by going to the carnival, and it's a great place to have New Years Eve because it's the easiest party to throw and everyone calls in.

There are usually 10 Warrnambool families who holiday alongside the Struths at Surfside Two.

Throughout the years the children have all grown up together and ventured in different directions but continue to return over the festive season for their annual holiday.

One Melbourne family also joined the group decades ago and have become a part of the Struth family through marriage.

"Our middle son met his wife here and now they bring their child," Mrs Struth said.

"We come down on Boxing Day and it's great because we don't have to worry about getting someone to look after the animals or our gardens.

"Today it's a chance for all the cousins to play together."

The Warrnambool City Council holiday park was forced to use a ballot system to manage its bookings with COVID Safe regulations but not even a global pandemic could get in the way of friends and families reuniting for a week.

"The ballot worked really well for us and we were lucky that the staff kept us in our usual spot and all close together," Mrs Struth said.

"We usually stay here for two weeks but this year only one.

"In the middle of Covid, it's the best place to be but next year we'll all be back for two weeks."

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