The event we call ‘Halloween’ is becoming bigger and bigger in Australia every year. For us this is a relatively new thing.

As kids growing up in a small South Australian country town, Halloween was some strange ritual played out in American movies involving kids dressing up in scary costumes soliciting treats from well prepared locals.

I recall one of my enterprising friends (thank you Squish!) tried to organise a ‘Trick or Treat’ expedition one Halloween evening which ended up very badly with confused locals and several threats to call the police.

Now I see Halloween embraced everywhere. I wonder how many caught up in the costumes and pranks really understand its origins.

Image by artist Joshua Smith, found in an Adelaide alleyway.

Photo: Robert Rath, ‘Halloween Prayer’, 1/50s f/2.5 ISO640 50mm