What does “Christmas” mean in Australia
Sue Ellson | December 9, 2010
No matter what your cultural background Christmas is a community event in Australia. Inviting Newcomers to participate in celebrations can be rewarding for all involved.
As a third generation Australian, I have grown up with the yearly ritual of Christmas in Australia.
The street pageants that start in November. The work Christmas parties with a few alcohol induced unusual incidents. The preparations for the family get togethers (who will go to which house at which times on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and even New Year’s Eve). The various Christmas Carol Concerts – some with a reflection on the Christian religion and more recently, a politically correct combination of songs from around the world, often without reference to the birth of Christ. For many, it is a time to complete all of the house renovations and outstanding jobs before the 25th of December.
In more recent years, I have seen communities try and work out ways to help all people in Australia have some way of being with other people on Christmas Day.
There are numerous group lunches for marginalised people supplied by various church, community and welfare groups. There are many hospitable Australians who organise either ‘orphan’ gatherings or make an extra effort to invite people they know who are alone, for whatever reason, to join their family and friend celebrations on the day. Churches often record their highest attendance of the year.
I also know many people who are not religious at all but they feel very strongly about being with loved ones on Christmas Day.
However, after rushing around with all of the end of year duties and shopping, many people find that by Christmas Day, they are physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.
The pressure to find the right gifts at either the right price or within the allocated shopping time can be intense. Christmas is also a time that brings up memories of past Christmases – both good and bad. Then there are the various friends and relatives who over imbibe and by 3pm are disgracing themselves and upsetting other guests. A special aspect is the joy of watching young children playing with their toy boxes (not the toys).
Newcomers Network has hosted four Christmas Day picnic lunches in Melbourne and last year’s was the most interesting. Apart from the usual cohort of new migrants, international students and Australians from interstate, we had a number of unique guests.
A single mother and her daughter came because they felt completely ostracised by their own family (that lives in Melbourne) and wanted to go somewhere where they would feel welcome. I wondered why she was seeking the company of strangers rather than friends and family on this special day.
A mature couple and their adult son who are active in the community wanted to come and meet new people over a picnic lunch and they came well prepared with deck chairs, hats and a well packed esky. They shared lots of Aussie information with the 90+ guests.
Another man who had lived in Germany and England registered to attend the day before at 4:30pm. On Christmas Day, I observed him walking near the group and looking at us but he would not come and sit with us. I got up and walked over to where he was and he was very reluctant to speak to me. He told me that he could not come and join us because we were all so happy and he was not happy and he couldn’t come. I tried to insist that he was welcome and that he could join us, but it was too much for him. He was close to tears and said he would contact me – but he never did. I followed up with another email, still no response. I am trying again.
Recently I received a lovely email from a woman who was pleased to hear about the regular Christmas Day Picnic Lunch and wrote ‘To the organisers who care to share, and give up their Christmas festivities for people less fortunate or lonely…..Hats off to you!’ She also asked ‘I wonder, how many more such good things happen around Melbourne during Christmas…….I hope…many.’
I am sure that there are many great events occurring around Melbourne (and not just meals at fancy restaurants). If you or someone you know is hosting an event that is open to anyone who would like to attend, please let me know – as I am more than willing to promote OTHER free events that are on Christmas Day so that people have a real choice as to where they would like to go. I realise that public transport is free on Christmas Day in Melbourne, but it would be great to hear about activities occurring closer to people’s homes in outer suburbs and also at breakfast and in the evening.
I would also like to hear from people who are willing to collect people in their cars and bring them to an event (important for elderly people who cannot walk any distance). Please send the details to melbourne@newcomersnetwork.com and I will post the details online at Newcomers Network Melbourne.
May I also take this opportunity to remind you to open your hearts to the people you meet – at work, on public transport, wherever you travel. If you see someone standing on their own looking lonely or lost (indoors or outdoors), take a moment to say hello.
Last night I heard the story of a woman who saw an international student about to walk through a park near the city of Melbourne just before dark. She told her not to walk through the park and escorted her to the place she was seeking…but their conversation lead to a two month stay at her home in Toorak (paid rent) and she is still in contact with the student many years later.
Australia is a welcoming country. Can you remember our Sydney Olympics and all of the volunteers who made it so special? I hope we NEVER lose this great aspect of Australian culture. Many years ago, I hosted a Christmas dinner with a World War II veteran and Japanese students. If this is possible in Australia and can continue, we have the opportunity to make our country the best in the world.
Start planning now so that you or someone you know is not alone on Christmas Day.
Sue Ellson BBus AIMM MAHRI is the Founder and Director of Newcomers Network, a socially responsible business providing information, events and advocacy for newcomers and networkers. With representatives in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Dublin and London, Newcomers Network helps people live, work and network in their new location. Sue is also the Convenor of the International Human Resources Network Victoria for the Australian Human Resources Institute and a regular feature writer for various publications. Connect directly to Sue via LinkedIn.
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Sue Ellson is the Founder and Director of Newcomers Network, a socially responsible enterprise providing information, events and advocacy for newcomers and networkers in Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria. She has published three books and can be found via LinkedIn or at SueEllson.com.
ccollin6
September 21, 2013 at 12:21 pm
The Christmas Spirit.
What a beautiful commentary! You describe a picture of caring and community that’s warm and inviting. To think about the amount of unselfish work and sacrifice invested in such an undertaking is staggering. If only that type of spirit could manifest itself everyday of every month of every year. What a smile of approval that would bring from the heart and face of God!