Precious memories for many children in the past has been their time at kindergarten and school when they practised and performed a nativity pageant for their family and friends, followed by a Christmas party with many special goodies to eat made by their parents. Of course the children felt very special dressing up — especially the girls in their angel costumes.
The event of the year, which so many adults remember today, is the visit by Father Christmas to Knight’s Big Store. In the early years Father Christmas visited the toy section of the store where, in 1925, children were encouraged to visit him in his little bark hut and give him a “hearty handshake”. It is believed that in the 1950s, after World War 2, the location was changed to the cave in the Knight’s Big Store cellar. A large papier-mâché Santa stood on the footpath in Union St near the entrance to Santa’s Cave.
It is interesting to note that in 1937 Father Christmas was cancelled because of an outbreak of infantile paralysis. Instead, the children were invited to pick up a small gift at the store.
Children waited eagerly to receive their invitation in the mail to visit Santa in the store. They cautiously ventured down the stairway of the cellar where they wove their way on a path and over a little wooden bridge through a fairyland forest of greenery (which included at one time a waterfall feature) to find Santa waiting for them at the end of the tunnel. The children had a little chat to Santa, if they were not too shy, and received a small gift.
The Kyabram Cannery and Southern Can held Christmas parties for their staff and families. Children loved the rides in different trains over the years which were constructed by the Southern Can employees.
So many celebrations have been held in Kyabram and surrounding towns over the years. Some have been carnivals, gala nights, late-night shopping, shop window decoration competitions, carols in the park, and school and dance concerts.
Children can now visit Santa in the Kyabram Town Hall, which always has an exciting setting for the children. The street is very colourfully decorated with “yarn bombing” created by so many tireless workers throughout the year; shops have been decorated; and many houses have been beautifully decorated with colourful light displays. Of course, you cannot miss out on the very creative hay bale Christmas theme.
– Eileen Sullivan
