Page 66 - Tropic Magazine Issue 27

TROPIC • REGIONAL HISTORY

Historical

festive cheer

LOOK BACK
Our Regional History column
relives the Christmas traditions
of Cairns in the 1920s.

Words: Nicky Horstmann 1

Has our new COVID-normal impacted time, presented a comprehensive list
your festive season celebrations and of suggestions under headings such
holidays? Let’s take a trip back in time as “serviceable hosiery”, “dependable
to 1920 to reveal previous tropical gloves” and “serviceable and
celebrations. useful gifts”.
To set the scene – one hundred years On the other hand, citizens were
ago Cairns was a town, not a city. encouraged to rethink their holiday
Like the rest of the world it had garb, with men being asked to consider a
experienced the post-WW1 trade new suit and hat for the occasion. 2
depression and flu epidemic. Always Ladies were equally tempted to pursue
subject to the “tyranny of distance”, the a new “Xmas frock and hat” as “Mrs 1. The Bolands Centre
2. Cairns Citizens’ Band
local community was further isolated Hughes and Miss Smith, Melbourne
by a shipping stewards’ strike. Sea House, Abbott Street, have some dainty spread cheer.
transport was the mainstay of the Far white and coloured voiles”. For those not inclined to shop, other
North because the rail connection Of course, Christmas food was, as options abounded. There were two
to the south was not yet completed. always, of great importance. picture theatres operating in Cairns and
Consequently, there was a general another two in Gordonvale. For those
shortage of labour and consumer items seeking a more active pastime, there was
and, of course, travel was limited. a jazz dance on offer elsewhere.
Reading between the lines of the then- Entertainment of a more pugilistic
Cairns Post for December 24 and 28, Crystal Ice was evidently nature was available at the Irish
1920 provides a fascinating insight into available and promoted Association Hall with the main
life and festivities back then. attraction being Skel Price defeating
Holiday celebrations had started early courtesy of the Tableland Digger Enright, adding another win to
for the cane cutters, mill hands and Co-operative his list of successes.
other seasonal workers. They had To cater for those who wanted to get
descended on the town – the pubs away for a few days there were special
specifically – with money in their holiday trains taking people “from
pockets. By Christmas Eve, a number Cairns to the Hinterland on Christmas
had already been charged with public Multiple tea companies competed for the Eve”. Unfortunately, there must have
drunkenness and other offences. reader’s attention. Arnott’s promoted been too many people with this idea
Nevertheless, as published in the paper their Sao Cream Crackers; the Biboohra as “congestion was rife everywhere, in
on Tuesday the 28th, a visitor to the Bacon Factory offered quality hams; and fact, in one or two of the carriages the
town did compliment the community for the People’s Cash Store had many of the passengers were packed like sardines”.
the general good behaviour. traditional foods such as plum puddings, The 1920 festive season saw many happy
He had been fearful of finding a “large dried fruits and nuts. picnics at Green Island, Second Beach
number of unruly men with Bolshevistic Crystal Ice was evidently available and the Barron River.
leanings who were second only to those and promoted courtesy of the There was a very special Diggers vs
in Townsville when they started to paint Tableland Co-operative. Cairns cricket match, and of course the
the town red”. To further enhance the Christmas Eve Barron Valley Racing Club held a carnival
As with all Christmas preparation, excitement, the Cairns Citizens’ Band at Atherton on Boxing Day. A special
shopping was high on the agenda. performed at Hides’ Hotel at 7.30pm excursion train transported around 200
The major trading stores stayed open and then moved on to various street people to that event.
‘till 10pm exhorting their customers to venues around town, finishing up at Fast forwarding to 2020 now; we wish
buy all sorts of goods, but in many cases 11pm. They started touring the town you the joy and happiness that our 1920s
the advertisements lead with words again at midnight playing Christmas forebears obviously enjoyed. Make the
indicating a more practical approach carols. Amazingly, they weren’t the only most of our unprecedented times and
to present selection. Bolands, perhaps strolling entertainment. The Railway and celebrate life in our own inimitable
the largest department store at the City Concert Band also helped to tropical way.

66 • Tropic • Issue 27