Standing either side of a seven-feet high fence is not how families would envision spending time with their loved ones, but that is the new reality for border residents.
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It will be a memorable Father's Day for the Smith family but sadly for the wrong reasons, although it was worse for some.
Darren "Frog" Smith and his wife Elissa met their daughters Sophie and Jessica on the 'old' bridge on Sunday.
The Smiths' home is only two kilometres from the Goondiwindi post office, but across the river and the state line.
The girls moved in with their grandmother in Gundy a few days before the border closure so they could continue to work and attend school.
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Jessica is currently in Year 12 and while she is being spoiled in town, she much rather be at her own home.
"We are lucky the girls had somewhere to go. We have friends just down the Boomi road whose children can't attend their school because they don't have anyone to stay with, so have to be home schooled," Darren said.
Sunday was the first time the couple had seen their children physically since the lockdown, using 'Facetime' to keep in touch.
"We didn't get to hug through the fence or anything like that but Elissa and I are both fully vaccinated and the girls are due to get their second shot later this week so we thought it was safe."
Darren is also required to have a COVID test weekly for his work as a livestock agent.
He can attend work in Goondiwindi with an ag permit or to buy essentials but is not permitted to participate in any social events, the pair missing the local netball finals at the weekend where Jess won a major award.
And the crazy thing is, under the restrictions he can spend the day working in the yards in close contact with a client and his son, but is then not permitted to attend the son's wedding.
Darren said he'd like to see the bubble reinstated that worked well during the last border closure.
"I can understand with the outbreak in NSW why the border is closed but there are issues that need to be addressed. The majority of residents who are 50-60km over the border all do their business in Goondiwindi.
"And in the lead-up to harvest it's also going to be more difficult to find workers and get the job done."
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