Memories of Christmas past and present including some of our traditions. Carols by Candlelight in the parks and gardens of most cities and towns, the mailing of Christmas greeting cards to friends and family near and far, many of whom we have not contacted since the previous Christmas. Our sporting traditions...cricket at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Christmas decorations in the Myer Centre windows in Brisbane's Queen Street Mall telling a story (not always a Christmas story) with animated characters etc. In recent years the family home and garden have been illuminated with fairy lights in the hope of winning a competition for the best Christmas display.
Christmas in Australia falls during the summer holidays which means trips to the coast for the end of year break. It is a time when families can come together to celebrate with a barbecue at the beach or in their back yards.
Above is a selection of images from the John Oxley Library's pictorial collection which illustrate the celebration of an Australian Christmas, past and present.
From all of us at the State Library of Queensland have a happy and safe Christmas.
Janette Whitehead
Library Technician - Queensland Memory
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