Christmas Snapshot: 2000

Source: Lamba, B. & Sofios, S. (2000). "'Tis the season to serve up goodwill". The Daily Telegraph, December 26: 14-15. 

Christmas Day is on Thursday, and it is appropriate that this week I post the annual Christmas Snapshot, looking at how Sydney marked Christmas 25 years ago.

The year of focus is 2000.

So did Sydneysiders mark it?

Carols in the Domain - December 16

Carols in the Domain was held on Saturday, December 16, attracting 100,000 people into The Domain. 

Source: Sorenson, T. 2000. "Record crowd flocks to carols". The Sunday Telegraph, December 17: 29.

The lead-up to December 25

The Sunday Telegraph on December 24 2000 (Below) did a two-page spread on the lead-up to Christmas. For those leaving Sydney to visit family for Christmas or spend the summer holidays away from home, some encountered difficulties, whether on the road or in the air. 

Several Ansett Boeing 767s were grounded over the Christmas period, leading to flight cancellations. This was because they had not been subject to compulsory maintenance inspections. The grounded 767s resumed operations on Boxing Day, in time for the post-Christmas Rush.

For the airline itself, it would be its final Christmas, as it entered administration in September 2001 and ceased operations in March 2022.

Late-night shopping in the lead-up to Christmas is a tradition, though it is not as strong in 2025 as it was a quarter of a century ago. Online retailing was in its early stages, but our retailers had yet to embrace it, and the technology had not advanced enough for easy online ordering. 

To buy gifts, you had to buy them in person. It meant braving the crowds, fighting for a spot in full carparks and finding time to shop alongside other day-to-day aspects of life, such as work.  Late-night Christmas shopping meant there was no need to rush after a long day at the office.  

These days, it's possible to order online from a computer, tablet, or phone at any time, from any location. Black Friday sales have taken off in recent years, meaning gifts can be sought at reasonable prices a month out from Christmas. Want a bargain back in 2000? That had to wait until Boxing Day. 

Some still love the thrill of late-night shopping, and even some in Generation Z embrace it. One student at school told me in the lead-up to Christmas this year that they love doing it themselves. 

Source: Murray, K. & Grant, P. 2000. "Late closing for final rush". The Daily Telegraph, December 20: 24. 

Christmas Day - December 25

The Daily Telegraph feature on December 26, 2000, focused on the Churches and the lunches they put on for the poor and disadvantaged, including the Exodus Foundation (Ashfield), Matthew Talbot Hostel (Woolloomooloo), Wayside Chapel (Kings Cross) and the Salvation Army at Redfern. The Matthew Talbot Hostel recorded a forty per cent increase in volunteers, aided by the volunteer spirit triggered by the Sydney Olympics three months earlier. 

An estimated 4000 people were reported to have attended midnight mass at St Mary's Cathedral, and standing room only for its 10:30 am mass on Christmas morning.

Bondi Beach

According to The Daily Telegraph, backpackers and tourists accounted for the 25,000 who chose to spend their day at the beach. A party zone was explicitly created for those who wanted to celebrate the day. 3000 gathered at Coogee. 

A quarter of a century later, it now faces competition from Bronte Beach, which has gained widespread appeal amongst backpackers. However, Bronte, which is smaller, struggles to cope with the 10,000 who attend and has raised concerns, particularly about garbage.

Back at Bondi in 2000, garbage left behind by revellers was also a problem, and Waverley council was very quick to point fingers - British Backpackers

Source: Smith, R. 2000. "Filthy Poms". The Sunday Telegraph, December 31: 7. 

Christmas Lights

Adorning your home with lights at Christmas has become a standard way of celebrating in Sydney's suburbs, and a quarter of a century ago, the competition for the best-lit street in Sydney was taking off. The late 1990s would mark the genesis of such competition, given that last year's snapshot (1999) mentioned Bonnet Bay and its Christmas Lights. Locals would claim that their tradition began in the mid-1970s, as the suburb was new, developed from the late 1960s onward. 

The Daily Telegraph had several features on Christmas Lights in streets in Sydney, but will post one below focusing on Stutz Place, Ingleburn. Campbelltown Council was running a local competition to determine the street with the best Christmas lights. 

Source: Saleh, L. 2000. "Silent night, holy light". The Daily Telegraph, December 11: 9. 

A Final Word

As this Christmas approaches, many Sydneysiders will be marking the season while also carrying grief following the tragic events at Bondi Beach on Sunday, December 15. The loss of life, the injuries suffered, and the trauma experienced by those who witnessed what occurred have left a profound and lasting impact on families, first responders, and the wider community. 

This look back at Christmas 2000 is written with an awareness that places central to Sydney’s summer traditions can hold both joy and sorrow across time. Yet in the days that followed the events at Bondi, the way people have supported one another through care, compassion, restraint, and solidarity reflects values long associated with Christmas itself. 

In that sense, light has not been overcome by darkness, even as many continue to grieve. With that in mind, 

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, extending my thoughts to those who are mourning, recovering, or carrying the weight of what they saw, and to everyone seeking peace and reassurance in a difficult season.

Stay safe, everyone.

Christmas Snapshot: 1999

Christmas Day falls on Wednesday (December 25), and this entry focuses on how Sydney marked Christmas 25 years ago. The year in focus is 1999, the last Christmas of the 20th Century and the second millennium.

In 1999, Christmas Day fell on a Saturday, which gave one plenty of time to prepare in the week leading up to the day. 

Carols in the Domain - December 18

It was held on December 18, 1999, and attracted a crowd of about 100,000 people. The event was hosted by Andrew Daddo and Belinda Emmett. ​ Entertainers included Lisa McCune, who made a dramatic helicopter entrance from her performance in "The Sound of Music," Vanessa Amorosi, The Wiggles, Monica Trapaga, and the Von Trapp children from "The Sound of Music." Other performers included Chelsea Gibb, Simon Burke, Sharon Millerchip, Doug Parkinson, Ignatius Jones, and the Sydney Youth Orchestra. The event also featured a pre-show with performances by the Real Blondes and the Daisy Dolls. ​

Further Reading:

Minogue, K. 1999. "Lisa to fly in for Domain carols". The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 17.

Rumble, T. 1999. "Choppers and Changes For Busy McCune". The Sun Herald, December 19: 44. 

Newspaper Front Page - Christmas Day

In 1999, The Daily Telegraph was the only newspaper published on Christmas Day in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph/The Sunday Telegraph published Christmas Day editions between 1994 and 2004. 

The Sunday Telegraph, allocated one page (page 4) for Christmas features in its edition of December 26. Features included the Christmas Addresses from the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney - Cardinal Edward Clancy, and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Harry Goodhew.

The weather started "wet and wild" before clearing to a sunny afternoon. 

Bondi Beach proved popular with British Backpackers, who held their traditional Christmas Day party on the beach.

Christmas Sales

It was reported by The Daily Telegraph in its afternoon edition on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day that an estimated $200 million had been spent by shoppers in NSW on December 24, and a total of $2 billion in the lead-up to Christmas.

Source: Lawson, B. 1999. "$2bn splurge: Record Christmas spending". The Daily Telegraph, December 24: 1 & 2.

The afternoon edition on Christmas Eve also included a feature on the marathon trade at the Sydney Fish Markets, a tradition that continues to this day.

Christmas Planners

I love posting the Christmas Planners because they provide a great snapshot of services over Christmas. Compared with today, services available on Christmas Day have remained relatively unchanged if we focus solely on what is featured below. I remember with eateries, many were shut on the day, but some especially fast food chains such as McDonalds have since decided to trade on the day.

 

The most significant changes in what's available have focused on Boxing Day, with retail trade permitted on Boxing Day across the Metropolitan area since 2015. In 1999, Boxing Day fell on a Sunday and no retail trade was allowed as a public holiday had been gazetted for December 28 (December 27 was to make up for Christmas Day falling on a Saturday). 

To close off this entry,  a newspaper feature on Christmas lights adorning the homes at Johnson Close at Bonnet Bay in the Sutherland Shire. The competition for the best-lit street at Christmas has gotten fiercer every year since. 

Source: Tsavdaridis, N. 1999. "The Bay of lights". The Daily Telegraph, December 25: 15. 

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

 

Christmas Snapshot: 1998

Merry Christmas, everyone.

For the first time since 2017, Christmas Day falls on a Monday and its perfect timing for our Christmas Snapshot, focusing on how Sydneysiders marked Christmas 25 years ago.

The year of focus is 1998.

Christmas Services

The Daily Telegraph provided its readers with an overview of what would open and what would be closed on Christmas Day, and generally, there has been little change over the past 25 years.

 

On December 26, The Daily Telegraph provided a summary of how the city marked Christmas Day. Ashfield Uniting Church hosted 2500 people for Christmas Lunch, led by Rev. Bill Crews. Sydney Lord Mayor Frank Sartor acted as Santa while former Prime Minister Bob Hawke and wife Blanche d'Alpuget waited on attendees

Their work has expanded over the years. Apart from Christmas Lunch at Ashfield, the Bill Crews Foundation will have delivered hampers to thousands of homes in the lead-up to today.

10,000 people, mainly backpackers, converged on Bondi Beach for their traditional Christmas Day gathering. The weather played its part, providing attendees with perfect skies. 

Carols in the Domain was on 19 December 1998 and was compered by Hugh Jackman.

Boxing Day Sales on Boxing Day

 

Source: Ryan, R. 1998. "City stores don Boxing Day gloves". The Daily Telegraph, December 26: 7.  

In 1998, Sydney CBD retailers traded on Boxing Day for the first time, which gave Sydneysiders an opportunity to obtain bargains on Boxing Day without having to leave the Sydney Metropolitan area. However, suburban retailers were still prohibited from trading. Under the legislation, the Sydney CBD was deemed to be a tourist area, alongside centres in NSW that were also designated as tourist centres for the purposes of retail trading on Boxing Day. This had been allowed for years, but retailers refused on their own accord to do so.

One retailer that did not participate in Boxing Day trading in central Sydney was David Jones. 

This arrangement continued until 2003. In 2004, Sydney CBD retailers were not permitted to trade on Boxing Day as it fell on a Sunday, and a public holiday in lieu was given (27 December 2004). 

Sydneysiders voted with their feet, with 100,000 shoppers travelling into the city to take advantage of the bargains on offer, led by department stores Grace Bros and David Jones. 

Source: McCabe, K. "Shoppers create a retail heaven". The Sunday Telegraph, December 27: 7. 

Christmas Snapshot: 1997

Each year, it has become a Christmas custom for me to post an entry focusing on how Sydney marked Christmas 25 years earlier.

The year of focus is 1997.

I have decided to change focus to the actual celebration of Christmas and media coverage and dispense with the retail advertisements as I have done in previous years.

Above is a list of the services available for Christmas Day and Boxing Day as published in The Daily Telegraph on 25 December 1997. 

On Christmas Day, Hotels are still allowed to trade from noon to 10pm, but only dining areas and that alcohol can only be purchased with a meal.

Generally, there has been little or no change to the services provided. However, there have been changes such as Cinemas being permitted to trade longer hours or fast food outlets electing to open, particularly McDonalds.

Below is Page 4 from The Daily Telegraph (25 December 1997), containing a summary of Christmas Messages from Prime Minister John Howard and Church Leaders, and a typical summer weather forecast for the day with 26 degrees.

The Sydney Morning Herald has maintained a tradition of not publishing on Christmas Day. Below is coverage of Christmas Day as reported in its edition of 26 December 1997.

Below are two clippings relating to how the day was marked across the city, including the homeless and disadvantaged.

 

Source: Hill, K. 1997. "Day of giving: less holy but wholehearted". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4.

There was even a feature on church services attended by prominent Sydneysiders. 

 

Source: Pitt, H. 1997. "Jockey's lean days are over". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4. 

For the followers of consumerism, retailers were happy with sales in the leadup to Christmas. Given the headline spread across the page, there is also a photo of backpackers spending the day at Bondi Beach, a feature on seafarers marking Christmas and preferred destinations for the summer break by Sydneysiders.

Source: Cummins, C. & Jamal, N. 1997. "Retailers reap best harvest in years". The Sydney Morning Herald, December 26: 4. 

Finally, I would include a newspaper clipping of Carols in the Domain which was held on 20 December 1997. Sadly, I could not locate an article on it for 1997, but I can provide the finale which was uploaded to Youtube by Daniel Celeno.

Noni Hazelhurst & John Jarratt (Better Homes & Gardens, Seven Network) returned for a second straight year to compere the evening. Have fun identifying the stars, but I will mention that a young Hugh Jackman performed on the evening. 

That is our snapshot for Christmas 1997. I wish each person a very safe and wonderful Christmas.

Christmas Snapshot: 1996 (Part II)

Click here to access Part 1.

This week is our second (and concluding instalment) looking at Christmas 1996. Lets focus on the festivities!!!

Carols in the Domain

On December 21, 100 000 attended the annual Carols in the Domain which was compered by Better Homes & Gardens Presenters - Noni Hazlehurst & John Jarratt. This was screened on the Seven Network right across the nation. 

Source: Snell, S. 1996. "Sydney's Christmas cheer: Carols attract 100,000". The Sunday Telegraph, December 22: 20. 

Below is a Youtube clip of the finale to the evening.

Christmas Eve

I don't know why I seem to enjoy Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day? Is it because its a normal day with the usual shops and services open as if the next day will be normal? Or is it because I can relax or in my family, the fact that have traditionally gathered that evening for Christmas Dinner like they do in Europe and Latin America. And yes, another family customs exchanging presents at midnight.

I do enjoy heading out to the city or even to a major suburban shopping centre and just observing proceedings along with a photo walk of the surrounding area on Christmas Eve. In the city, there is a sense of order, even amongst the panic last minute shoppers but the same in the suburbs. Grocery shopping on December 24 is where you may find an issue and in 1996 was the same thing especially at the Sydney Fish Markets. 

Also I enjoy reading old clippings relating to the "last minute" gift rush for Christmas. Some things never change, like the men who hold off buying gifts until December 24. Fortunately, a quarter of.a century later, we don't need to physically visit a shop to buy gifts, though this year people may have to visit a physical store with delivery times for online purchases increasing due to high delivery volumes within our postal system or those of private delivery companies. lingerie and cosmetics led the last minute gift purchases and gift cards believe it or not are now the most popular Christmas gift. 

 

Source: Gelastopoulos, E. 1996. "Men lead the last minute gift rush". The Daily Telegraph, December 25: 7.

Bondi Beach

The evening of Christmas Day the previous year saw a riot brake out. Police were determined that this would not be allowed to happen in 1996. Extra police would patrol the beach, Campbell Parade was closed to vehicular traffic and restrictions on the consumption of alcohol including designated areas for consumption. The closure of Campbell Parade was to prevent horns from bringing their cars into the area as they were identified as the trigger for the riots.

Source: Gee, S. 1996. "Police blitz on Bondi Party". The Daily Telegraph, December 23: 7.

In the end, it was peaceful. Trouble did not eventuate as reported by The Daily Telegraph on 26 December 1996.

Source: Porter, J. 1996. "Christmas in a cage". The Daily Telegraph, December 26: 3. 

This gathering has continued over the years without trouble, but COVID-19 has packed a punch. Hopefully as travel restrictions ease for foreigners in 2022, this custom will revert to what it was pre-pandemic.

St Patricks Cathedral, Parramatta

In February 1996, St Patricks Cathedral at Parramatta was devastated by a major fire that was deliberately lit. Christmas Day marked the first worship services to be held in the Cathedral since the fire.

Source: McMillan A. 1996. "Mass return to St Pat's". The Daily Telegraph, December 25: 2. 

In 1996, The Daily Telegraph was printed on Christmas Day. As a newspaper reader, I am not a fan of the decision to not publish on Christmas Day as they do now (and before 1994) because news doesn't stop, newspapers provide an essential community service and journalists and reporters will still work on Christmas Day. The internet is no substitute. In the United States, newspapers are published as per routine on Christmas Day. Fairfax (Now part of Nine Entertainment) newspapers did not publish on this day. Below are the Christmas features and editorial from Pages 11 and 12.

And finally, I wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas. 

Christmas Snapshot: 1994

Merry Christmas everyone!!!

It is an annual custom to wind the clock back 25 years to remember how Sydney marked Christmas. This year it is 1994.

Usually, I have been able to share retail advertisements for Christmas, but at the time of going through the reel did not collate them.

Still, I have plenty to share.

Carols in The Domain was held on Saturday. Crowds in 1994 were reported to be 120 000, but I think the figure was more 100 000. For safety reasons, to attain that capacity is difficult today. 

Source: Gora, B. 1994. "Carols celebrate the spirit of Christmas". The Sunday Telegraph, December 18: 51.  

With Christmas Eve on the last Saturday before Christmas (Fell on a Sunday), the carols were held earlier than usual -  December 17.

The Sunday Telegraph was published on Christmas Day. Traditionally, newspapers do not publish on this day in Sydney.

Below is Page One plus a feature on those who had to spend the day working. We should be grateful to those who do have to work so that we can enjoy the day and keep essential services running.

As in 2019, NSW was affected by drought. I remember that it rained on Christmas Day in 1994. The rain stretched inland in parts of the state. The drought ended the following year. Could we see this in 2020? Below is coverage from The Daily Telegraph Mirror (26 December 1994).

The rain did not spoil celebrations for those at Bondi Beach (see above) with backpackers converging on the beach to celebrate the day together.

Finally, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Snapshot: 1993

Source: Anon. 1993. "A happy Christmas to you all". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 24: 3.

Merry Christmas to everyone on this Christmas Eve. One more sleep to go until the big day.

As with tradition, I look back at Christmas a generation ago (25 years) and reflect on how we marked the big day.

This year proved to be interesting, not just in what was found but in what happened as well.

Grace Bros decided that there would be no pageant for Christmas as it had done between 1989-1992. It had established itself on the calendar for Sydneysiders. There was an attempt to revive a Christmas Parade in 2007 but was unpopular with the public.

I remember in 1993 viewing commercials on television for the Royal Christmas Show at the Sydney Showgrounds which was organised by the Royal Agricultural Society. Rides and entertainment were all included for the price of admission. There were over 100 stalls where you could do your Christmas shopping. It would not return the following year.

Paddy's Markets returned to Haymarket on December 11, 1993. It had been a temporarily based in the former rail yards at Redfern (now Australian Technology Park) to allow for redevelopment of the site. Construction of a residential tower above the markets had been suspended due to the recession but the heritage listed building was ready to welcome back the markets. Below is a feature from The Sunday Telegraph on December 5, 1993.

What were we buying?

The Daily Telegraph Mirror published a list of the five hottest gifts for Christmas based on sales at David Jones.

1. Mr Bucket 
2. Sydney 2000 Olympic Polyester Tie
3. Frank Sinatra Duets CD
4. Woman's Tartan Boxer Shorts
5. Santas Marching Band

Source: Anon. 1993. "Christmas countdown". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 8, 17.

Brashs had 3 CD sets on sale for $14.95 and 4 CD sets for $19.95. You could buy a Sega Mega Drive II for $269 and a Super Nintendo for $319. This year you can buy the Sega Genesis Flashback with 85 built-in games for just $149 or the Super Nintendo Mini for as little as $99 if you want to relive the days of both game systems.

There was further discounting just before Christmas of video games consoles.



With the Sega Mega Drive, participating retailers were offering a Mega Drive II for $399 with Mortal Kombat, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and a bonus two games included.

There were also plenty of big toys on sale at Brashs.

Grace Bros promoted "Australian Made" clothing from Pelaco for the men. Myer stopped selling Pelaco clothing around a decade ago.

Underwear was on special early in the month.

This was the only toy advertisement that I could find which was one from Grace Bros (The Sunday Telegraph, December 5)

I found a feature from The Daily Telegraph Mirror (December 16, 1993) which identified some of the popular toys for Christmas, 1993. It was reported yesterday in The Sun Herald that Polly Pocket is popular this year, enjoying a revival. Board games, My Little Pony and Lego are also popular as retro favourites appeal to "big kids" who relive their childhood and share it with their children.

Source: Anon. 1993. "Christmas countdown". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 16, 16.

IKEA did not want to wait for the Boxing Day sales and launched their sales in the days leading up to Christmas, commencing their sale on December 23.

BigW used extended trading hours to have hourly sales to attract customers. Below is an advertisement from The Daily Telegraph Mirror (December 23, 1993).

Supermarkets

I managed to obtain scans of Christmas specials for Woolworths, Jewel and Food for Less. However, Coles did not publish advertisements promoting their Christmas specials.

All advertisements were published on December 22, 1993, in The Daily Telegraph Mirror. 

Woolworths

Food for Less

Jewel

The tills were ringing

With the recession "that we had to have" over, retail sales were reported to have increased by 12 %, providing for the best sales since 1989 (the year before the recession began). Unemployment had begun to slowly fall from the 11 % peak earlier that year, but people were now feeling secure about the economy and were keen to spend.

Source: Jones, C. 1993. "Sales Jump 12pc". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 24: 3. 

Carols in The Domain

Held on December 18, thousands were treated to a spectacular rendition of Christmas Carols involving 300 performers including The Wiggles Simon Burke, Tina Arena, Rob Guest, Jeannie Little, and Barry Crocker. Jackie Love presented her fourth consecutive carols, while Barry was happy to perform after presenting the three previous carols alongside Love.

Source: Gibson, A. 1993. "Stunning night at the Domain". The Sunday Telegraph, December 19: 47.

For those unable to attend in the city, there was one at Parramatta Stadium the following evening.

Darling Harbour provided their own pageant. This was broadcast on Channel 7 on Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day

It was a warm summer's day in Sydney. The Sunday Telegraph (December 26, 1993) devoted two pages to share how different people spent the day.

From yours truly, I wish you all a very merry and safe Christmas. We will return next week to look at how Sydney welcomed the new year 25 years ago.