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It’s been some 21 years since Wembley stadium was being asked the question “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?” It’s been 21 years since Bono mentioned something about thanking God it’s them instead of us. It has also been 21 years since I was able to be a part of the celebration that was Christmas as a young go-getter in Melbourne.
Over the years, Christmas has varied dramatically through my eyes. At first it was an excuse to run around with the new toys worth about $100 and not allowing anyone else to play with them whilst I play with their treasures. Then it became a chance to learn off older people but still being the kid at heart. Now it’s my only chance to see relatives in the 12 month cycle called a year, with presents the last thing on my mind.
Dating back to my childhood, I remember taking 2 road trips from here in Rockhampton, Queensland all the way down to Melbourne. At the time I was only 8 and 10 years old so you can imagine it being an adventure travelling from city to city, whilst at the same time being a nightmare for the parents (are we there yet!?). It was always an experience travelling through the country towns in Southern Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Victoria. There’s nothing quite like staying overnight and having McDonald’s in places like Moree or sleeping and eating Chinese food in Coonabarabran.
The trip in 1994 was slightly different in that Christmas Day was not actually spent in Melbourne. Instead, Christmas Day was spent in the country Victorian town of Bendigo. This was because my Grandmother’s Brother was celebrating his 50th birthday which happens to fall on Christmas Day. Sure, it wasn’t the most enjoyable Christmas Day ever but it was an experience that few get the privilege of experiencing. For the record the family travelled to Melbourne the next day (Boxing Day-another story which is mainly Cricket related).
These days, I have some sort of routine in place. Every Christmas Eve night begins in front of the mirror for a shave. I can tell you that I am growing a beard as opposed to my usual goatee so it will take some time to shave. After that, the night is spent watching the box for the traditional Carols By Candlelight from Melbourne. Whilst I don’t join in the carols myself (you would not want to be listening in the off chance that I do) it’s always something to pass the time away. Head off to bed around midnight like I usually do when I’m in Melbourne.
I would normally wake up about 9:00 on Christmas morning. After giving my greetings to the grandparents, I have a quick read of the paper complete with Boxing Day form guide before ringing the parents one at a time. After a late lunch of warm chicken and salads (There was a variation last year when we scored an invite to lunch with my uncle’s mother’s house for lunch which was a pleasant change of pace), it’s off to someone else’s house for the usual party where I see the relatives who have assembled from far and wide. Early in the evening is spent having a drink and catching up on what’s been going on. Then after dinner (usually party pies, party sausage rolls, “cheerios” (mini frankfurts), chicken, salads, sometimes a crayfish or yabbies depending on whether the relation from Mt Gambier in South Australia has the time to come) and the distribution of presents to the kids (just before they go mental and eventually to blissful sleep), it’s a little bit of a run around with the older teenage kids before heading home around midnight. Then it’s a sleep and onto Boxing Day and the cricket, though it remains to be seen if I will be going this year.
What happens in Melbourne is a large variation on what happens in Queensland. Although I have not spent Christmas here since 1999, it’s a totally different set of circumstances. It normally begins with breakfast at either parent’s house before settling in for the day. Due to the heat and humidity, not only does cold amber fluid (commonly known as beer) flow freely but activities are normally under cover or indoors to avoid the heat. Lunch and Dinner are usually cold meat affairs unless someone’s game enough to cook meat on the BBQ or if someone managed to secure prawns before they sold out. Personally though, I sometimes would get more bored if I stayed because there would be less to talk about to people that you would see occasionally throughout the year.
Then of course after Christmas, all the party posse back up for New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately I am unable to party as hard as some people because my Pop (Grandfather) normally has to work on New Year’s Morning. So I normally curl up in my quarters with the earphones in listening to some sort of radio musical countdown of the songs of the year or to a music mix. Sometimes I would sing along in a soft voice if the song warranted singing along to. There were a couple of exceptions when Pop had the day off and we managed to get some time with other family members when they were not out partying themselves (in which case we would have to take care of the cousins who don’t like sleeping). I would also often go outside to hear the organised (and also illegal) fireworks shows that bring in the New Year; they provide more entertainment than what is shown on TV.
So with my memories now on paper, that concludes my contribution for the year 2005. And what a year it has been. We can never forget the fateful nights spent in front of the box or the net when major events in world and sporting history had taken place. We can never forget the countless discussions, arguments and laughs that we shared. We can also never forget the value of friendship, which I can say is enhanced through the new and old members of FFUK this year. 2006 shapes up as a great year, and I hope to bring it all to you through my eyes. I’ll leave you with a quote from former newsreader Brian Naylor that I hope will apply to all of you over this festive season. He always ended his news bulletins until his retirement in 1998 with the line “May all your news be good news.”
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SEE YOU IN 2006
UNTIL WE SPEAK AGAIN
YOU KNOW I’M A GOOD BLOKE
MOOKS