Deck the streets with bells, lights and holly
There’s no better way to end the year than to take a peek at Christmas time in Paddington during days gone by.
Thanks to Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert, Christmas has been recognised in Britain since the mid-19th century. It was only natural that in the 1850s Australia’s early settlers continued the tradition of their beloved Victorian English Christmas. Quickly realising that the summer heat was not ideal to be sweltering indoors, families ventured outside and celebrated with a picnic. Heralding the beginning of the great Aussie lunch, a game of cricket was usually on the cards, followed by an afternoon nap.
Trawling through Google, Trove, the State Library of Queensland and the National Library of Australia reveals an insight of how the folk of Paddington, as well as Brisbane, spent the festive period.
Paddington was well established by the 1890s, with shops and businesses dotted along Given and Latrobe Terraces. These included a butcher, bottle dealer, fuel merchant and a commercial agent. It’s fair to say that the shopkeepers would have been run off their feet with sales and deliveries during yule time.
Spreading the joy
During the good times and bad, the Paddington community has long banded together to help others less fortunate. There are numerous accounts of giving and sharing to spread the happiness of Christmas.
The ‘Sallys’ fill larders
In 1908, Brigadier Winter of the Salvation Army reached out to the Brisbane Courier on behalf of the poor of Brisbane, to help him gather donations to buy food.
Through the generosity of the public, he was able to distribute boxes packed with raisins, currants, flour, sugar, meat, tea and bread. Brigadier Winter handed out 150 hampers to needy families, along with presents and treats to 500 underprivileged children. The Salvation Army Hall at 29 Latrobe Terrace was used for festivities and as a distribution point.
What’s under the tree – 1917
The annual edition of the Allan & Stark Ltd Christmas Book had 20 pages crammed with every gift imaginable.
John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
What excitement the shelves in the Queen Street store would have caused. Toys ranging from rocking horses, dolls and water pistols, through to paraphernalia of the era, would have been on children’s lists. Pages dedicated to crackers, bons bons and confectionary were must haves for the table. For the ladies, perfumes, gloves, hosiery and umbrellas were desirable items, while shirts, ties, hats and fountain pens appeared as top suggestions for the man about town.
The best Xmas ever
Consistent good rainfall and a bumper season for farmers saw Queensland reach an unprecedented peak of prosperity in the summer of 1925. People from rural Queensland flocked to Brisbane for Christmas before heading off on seaside vacations. The trains were full, the queues at the GPO were endless, the shops were bustling, and the tram service was at maximum capacity. Overcrowded at the best of times, it would have been hectic getting from Paddington into the city with all the extra people in town. A resilient lot, many walked, others rode bikes.
As quoted in the Catholic Press, Thursday 7 January, 1926
“For the week ending December 16, 1925, 89,000 more people were conveyed this year than in the corresponding week last year, and 113,000 more than in the corresponding week in 1922.”
Santa visits kids from Rosalie and Paddington free kindergartens
The rounds of the Christmas trees in 1931 was a huge event, with the metropolitan press being motored to both centres to cover proceedings. The trees were provided by the Brisbane City Council and toys were donated by the Rotary Club.
At Rosalie Hall, the little ones were delighted by the sight of a Christmas tree laden with lights, tinsel and tapers. Parents, visitors, dignitaries and members of the Creche and Kindergarten Association took part in the merriment.
As reported in the Brisbane Telegraph, Tuesday 8 December, 1931
“Some laughing with excitement, others rendered shy, the children came into the hall all eyes widening at the first glimpse of the tree. They sang a welcome to parents and guests, and with hands joined in a circle, marched around the tree singing Christmas songs.”
Celebrations at Paddington Hall were equally impressive, with the decorations earning a special mention.
“A very pretty idea was carried out by threading wire frames with fresh green fern and using them as lamp shades. Green and red lanterns, great fluffy Christmas bells, clusters of balloons and a wall frieze featuring many portraits of Father Christmas proved a counter attraction even to the tree.”
According to the social pages of the ‘Women’s Realm’, conducted by ‘Hyacinth’ in The Queenslander, Thursday the 24 December, 1931…“Father Christmas is certainly a busy man these days, and on December 18 he did not forget the children of the Paddington branch of the Playground Association of Queensland. Much to their delight he made an impressive entry through a side door, and after personally greeting each children, presented their gifts.”
Mr White was this year’s Santa, and the tree was donated to the association by the Brisbane Tug Co. To mark the 12 anniversary of the branch, the Christmas cake was adorned with a dozen candles.
Continuing the tradition….these youngsters at Forester’s Hall appeared in the Telegraph on Thursday the 21 December, 1939
Wartime Brisbane 1940 – Christmas present from Santa
Santa Claus visits the Red Cross Fete held at Government House in Paddington on the 15 December, 1940 where little Pat Westman got a helping hand from Santa Claus.
1940 where little Pat Westman got a helping hand from Santa Claus. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Christmas Pudding 1941
A world in turmoil and loved ones away at war, people made the most of what they had. Times were tough and provisions were scarce. This recipe for an economy pudding was printed in the Courier Mail, Saturday 29 November 1941.
Fun on the Brisbane River
One way to cool off was a trip along the river. Children onboard a boat enjoying their Christmas party in 1943.
Children onboard a boat enjoying their Christmas party in 1943. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Brisbane’s huge Christmas Tree – December 1954
When a Brisbane female resident suggested that a tree be erected in the city, letters of support flooded in from citizens. Taking notice of the request, the Lord Mayor Ald Roberts, MLA declared that the Christmas tree in King George Square was to become an annual event.
A 40 foot hoop pine was transported from Mount Crosby and bedazzled with 300 coloured baubles. At the time, it was the state’s biggest Christmas Tree. 1977 saw the last real pine tree placed in the square.
This year the Lord Mayor’s Lighting of the Tree will be on 1 December at 6:30pm.
How it looked in 1962.
The Christmas tree outside King George Square in 1962. (Brisbane City Council)
Putting the ding dong in Paddington
The elves on Latrobe and Given terraces have been hard at work to ensure that the Paddington Christmas Fair happens this year.
On Friday the 4th of December ‘The Terraces Night Market’ will be brimming with happy tidings and cheer for all the family. From 4:00pm until 8:00pm local retailers, food trucks, stallholders, free entertainment and activities are set to embrace the magic of Christmas. Visit https://www.citysmart.com.au/showcase/the-terraces-night-market/ for more information.
Star light, star bright
Government House will once again host the annual Christmas lights display. From the 11th to the 15th December the lights will be switched on between 7:00pm and 8:00pm. Bookings and registrations are essential for this event. Information is available at the official website. https://www.govhouse.qld.gov.au/office-of-the-governor/news-publications/latest-news/2020/november/2020-christmas-lights-display.aspx
The last days of 2020
The care and concern of the Paddington community has held strong throughout a year like no other. Not that removed from the past, it has been a time of looking out for your neighbours, while showing kindness, consideration and patience. We’ve invested in our local shops and businesses plus re connected with the important things in life. The people of Paddo, the history and their passion for the suburb, make it one of the greatest places to live, even during adversity.
The Paddington QLD Christmas Story by Terie-Lea Tobin, writer and local resident.
Research, inspiration and information:
Paddington Heritage Trail – Published and distributed by the Rotary Club of Paddington 2020
Trove and National Library of Australia – newspaper articles and images
Christmas Cheer – Brisbane Courier (Qld: 1864-1933) Monday 30 November, 1908, page 4
Allan & Stark Christmas book, 1917. John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Brisbane Day by Day – Catholic Press (Sydney NSW 1895-1942) Thursday 7 January, 1926, page 28 – National Library of Australia
Christmas Joys Telegraph (Brisbane 1872-1947) Tuesday, 8, 1931, page 11
Woman’s Realm – The Queenslander (Brisbane 1866-1939), Thursday December, 1931, page 33
Christmas Party at Paddington Playground – Telegraph (Brisbane 1872-1947) Monday, 18 December, 1939, page 16
Christmas Joy at Paddington – Telegraph (Brisbane 1872-1947) Thursday, 21 December, 1939, page 11
Boat loaded with children 1943 – John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland
Christmas presented from Santa, 1940 – State Library of Queensland
War-time Housekeeping – Courier Mail (Brisbane 1933 – 1954, Saturday, 29 November, 1941, page 7
Christmas Tree Again – Brisbane Telegraph (1948 – 1954) Friday, 24 December, 1954
The Christmas tree outside King George Square in 1962 – Brisbane City Council
https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on-and-events/event/lord-mayors-lighting-of-the-christmas-tree-149642835
Government House – Office of the Governor Queensland (07) 3858 5700
The Terraces Night Market – Chair 4064, Karen – Living Silk