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: 1996 (Part I)

This year, I will continue my annual tradition of looking back at Christmas from 25 years ago. For 2021, I will look back at 1996.

Given the material available, I will again split this into a two part series. This week will focus on Christmas advertising from major retailers as featured in the metropolitan newspaper while next week will focus on the day itself.

Grace Bros

I have observed that as the 1990's progressed, major department stores were placing fewer advertisements in major newspapers. One exception was Stocktake Sales that follow the post Christmas period.

I found one advertisement for Grace Bros that focused on electrical and whitewoods.

Source: Grace Bros. 1996. "Gift ideas for the last minute Christmas rush" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 16.

Discount Department Stores

There was not much advertised in newspapers for 1996. Discount Department Stores are traditionally big with retail catalogues sent weekly to homes. COVID-19 has resulted in less emphasis due to possible transmission.

For loyal Target Customers, how about 12 1/2 percent off provided you shopped on December 16. I miss those days as they have gravitated towards "everyday low prices" like BigW and Kmart. Target may not have the physical presence like they once had but should they consider bringing it back?

Source: Target. 1996. "12 1/2% off everything today" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 16: 17. 

"$2 Stores"/ Discount Variety Stores

Chain discount variety stores may no longer be with us with the exception of The Reject Shop but lots of bargains on offer, especially Christmas items.

Below is one from Clints Crazy Bargains.

Source: Clints Crazy Bargains. 1996. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 3: 16.

Crazy Prices was part of the Woolworths Group until 2001 when rival Go-Lo purchased the chain. I remember them in Rockdale in the site once occupied by the Woolworths Variety Store.

 

Source: Crazy Prices. 1996. ""Have a Crazy Christmas at Crazy Prices". The Sunday Telegraph, December 8: 141.

Technology

Adults could still give toys - "big toys" of course. Electronics retailers were keen for their share of Christmas spending. 

Source: Tandy Electronics. 1996. "The Answer is [tick] Tandy" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 33.

Below is an advertisement from Dick Smith Electronics.

 

Source: Dick Smith Electronics. 1996. "You'll find presents for the whole family that are Just Right at Dick Smith Electronics!" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 15: 34-35. 

Brashs had good savings on computers and software.

 

Source: Brashs. 1996. Untitled (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 26.

Officeworks had plenty to offer at their "superstores".

Source: Officeworks. 1996. "Taking care of Christmas" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 1: 42-43.

For our shutterbugs, good camera deals. Digital cameras were yet to be seen commercially. I recently picked up a catalogue for Ted's Camera Stores and you can still buy film cameras and film if you really love old fashioned photography.

Kodak is still trading, even after bankruptcy in 2012. Cameras (digital and film) can still be purchased and still active in image processing, though they are a small player when compared with Canon and Nikon. Ricoh is also a small player in 2021. 

Source: G&V Imaging. 1996. "G&V Great Value Gift Ideas" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19:26. 

Fletchers Fotographics (since merged with Ted's Cameras) had their own offers as well. 

Source: Fletchers Fotographics. 1996. "Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas". The Sunday Telegraph, December 15:29. 

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones can easily fit in a stocking and were a gift suggestion back then. Phones were either analogue or digital. 

Source: RetraVision. 1996. "Talking Gift Ideas...Talk to Retravision". The Daily Telegraph, December 17: 17. 

Source: Telstra. 1996. "Pocket-priced deals on the world's best brands from Telstra MobileNet" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 18. 

Books

Below is a newspaper advertisement from Angus & Robertson Bookworld. It's been a decade since they stopped operating physical stores but is a major player in the online book market in Australia alongside Amazon, Book Depository and Booktopia. For bookstores the final three months of the year (October-December) are marked by the major book releases for that year, well timed for Christmas. 

Source: Angus & Robertson Bookworld. 1996. "Red Hot Wanted Books". The Sunday Telegraph, December 15: 121. 

And there was a rule-breaker...

For those wanting discounts, traditionally one has to wait until the post-christmas sales. In recent years Australia has embraced Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, based on the American custom of Black Friday sales which for them is their busiest trading day of the year.

In 1996, Pauls Warehouse broke the rules, deciding to have their end of year stocktake sale before Christmas. 

Source: Pauls Warehouse. 1996. "End of Year Clearance Sale" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 22: 137.

Supermarkets

Like other retailers, Christmas is a peak period for supermarkets especially in the final days leading up to Christmas as people stock up on fresh food for their Christmas Dinner

Woolworths 

Admire some of the fresh food specials. 

Source: Woolworths. 1996. "Santa's Savers!" (Advertisement). The Sunday Telegraph, December 22: 30-31.

Food for Less & Flemings

Source: Food For Less & Flemings. 1996. "Christmas Super Savers". The Daily Telegraph, December 18: 

Coles

Source:  Coles. 1996. "You can count on Coles for Christmas" (Advertisement). The Daily Telegraph, December 19: 22 & 23. 

Next Week in Part II, we will look at Christmas Festivities.

Christmas Snapshot: 1995 (Part II)

This is Part 2 of our Christmas Snapshot of 1995. Last week, we focused on the gift ideas and specials provided by major retailers.

Now to the day itself...

12 000 people (largely backpackers) descended on the beach for Christmas celebrations. However that evening was marred by a riot that was initiated by the locals. Hundreds were involved with police in riot gear pelted by bottles.

Before the riot, the crowd was well behaved. There were concerns over noise from an amplifier which led to it being shut down by police. 

Also, it was reported that Sydney Harbour Casino was the first casino in Australia to open on Christmas Day without restrictions. Hundreds of bookings were received for lunch and some would linger afterwards for some gambling.

The Exodus Foundation at Ashfield served Christmas lunch to 1100 people. 

On December 23, 100 000 people attended Carols in the Domain compered by Rob Guest.

Source: Gora, B. 1995. "100,000 carol singers". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 12. 

In the week prior to Christmas, the Wesley Mission did the Darling Harbour Christmas Pageant in Tumbalong Park. Apart from carols, attendees were treated to a reenactment of the first Christmas. It was televised on Christmas Eve on Channel Seven.

Below are messages from the Churches but also an overview of services available over Christmas Day and Boxing Day. It has become standard for cinemas to now open across Sydney on Christmas Day.

And how did the retailers fare?

Source: Brennan, W. 1995. "Xmas tills ring in last-minute spree". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24:3.

The Sunday Telegraph on December 24 provided some assistance to last minute shoppers given Christmas Eve was on a Sunday for the first time since 1989.

Source: Green, P. 1995. "Crisis Shopping!". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 22.

Retailers felt that trade over the Christmas season fell from 1994 and noted that the anticipated last minute surges did not happen.Were people waiting for the sales? The past decade has seen the sales moved forward with retailers offering discounts but also embracing "Black Friday" from the United States to attract Christmas sales. Post Christmas still remains large but there isn't the rush or need to wait as the past.

Source: Seymour, T. 1995. "Waiting for the rush". The Daily Telegraph Mirror, December 25: 7.

But this article seems to indicate that retail trade was perhaps not as bad???

Source: Brennan, W. 1995. "Xmas tills ring in last minute spree". The Sunday Telegraph, December 24: 3.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas. 

Christmas Snapshot: 1995 (Part 1)

With Christmas approaching, it is an annual custom to look back at how Sydneysiders marked Christmas 25 years earlier.

This year we will focus on 1995.

Given the amount of material that I collated, I am breaking this into two parts.

Part 1 will focus on what retailers were providing for Christmas shoppers while Part 2 (next week) will focus on the day itself.

In 1995, computers and electronics were in vogue.

Coles recently decided to sell factory refurbished iPhones. In 1995, Strathfield Car Radios had their own second hand offers. This advertisement was published in The Daily Telegraph Mirror on December 16 1995.

You needed around $3000 to secure a good desktop computer. In 2020, you can buy a more powerful and advanced computer for several hundred dollars. A Canon inkjet printer cost $699. A basic printer can be found in 2020 for as little as $50. Below is a Grace Bros advertisement that was published in The Sunday Telegraph on December 17, 1995. 

Bing Lee offered good computers at lower prices.

Other Advertisements of interest are featured below:

Chandlers 

December 17 1995, The Sunday Telegraph

BigW 

The first advertisement was published in The Sunday Telegraph on December 10 1995 while the second advertisement was published in the same newspaper on December 17 1995. 

Kmart 

December 20 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror

Brashs and Target attempted to lure shoppers by offering days where all items were reduced. This included the famous Target 12 1/2 % off everything sale. 

Target

December 3 1995, The Sunday Telegraph

Food & Drink

Woolworths

December 20 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror

Coles

December 21 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror

Liquor Stax

December 20 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror

Macs Liquor

December 20 1995, The Daily Telegraph Mirror

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