EARLY CHRISTMAS IN TENNANT CREEK

Tennant Creek's Christmas Tree

Nancy Ford harks back to Santas from the early days

At the first Christmas Tree at Rising Sun Mine, three miles east of Noble's Nob, Mrs Weaber offered a prize of two pounds, which in 1934 was like a million dollars, to anyone who could ride the bucking kangaroo.
Jack Noble, in his forties at the time, was half full of rum and got on his hands and knees on the dance floor and started bucking - he was the bucking kangaroo. The kids, and some 'grown-ups' too, had to try and ride on his back to a stand still to win the two pounds!
He had a newspaper rolled up and stuck in the back of his trousers and the riders were given a box of matches with which to try and light the paper while at the same time trying to stay on his back.
Jack Ford, aged six, was the last one to have a go and as Jack Noble was by this time really full of rum, bucking on the dance floor, Jack was able to light the newspaper in his trousers and win the two pounds!
Years later when the Christmas Tree had outgrown the Weabers it moved into the Goldfields Hotel where it attracted around thirty children.
It got too big for the Goldfields Hotel and a local Committee was formed. Nancy Ford has been involved for 45 years as Secretary and then as President.
Jack Ford has given a building free for all these years to store the toys and later the trailer, castle, fairy floss machine, popcorn machine and the street decorations.
The most toys ever given out was in 1997 when the committee gave out 708 gifts - 353 for girls and 355 for the boys.
In 1999, there were 583 gifts given out, 282 for the boys and 301 for the girls.
Each Christmas the main street is decorated with cartoon characters giving best wishes from the business houses. At Christmas Tree night, all children up to 10 years of age receive a free gift, free drinks, ice blocks, fairy floss, popcorn and lollies. There's a free barbeque for the adults. There are about 25 people dressed as cartoon characters to entertain the children.
All this takes approximately twelve hard working people on the committee and a lot of other people working for us on the night.
The Lions and Rotary Clubs run the barbeque for us and John Lavery and the footballers give our toys out.
The Bush Fire Council put the tent up. Julalikari supply us with a fork lift and their rubbish truck.
Jack Ford and his crew organise the castle and Tina Blankenspoor and her helpers organise the children getting on and off the castle.
Gary Urlich drives the vehicle, pulling the float with the cartoon characters on the back. Nigel Skelton is always around to help our committee. We give presents out in the children's ward so all the children in hospital receive a gift and a visit from Santa Claus and his helpers.
Then he goes to the Nursing home where all the patients receive a gift. Father Xmas and the Cartoon Characters mingle with the old folks and then off they go to Purkis Reserve where all the children are waiting.
John Lewis from Bulls Freight has transported the toys to town free for many years and we are very grateful to John.
There are about 45 people working for us on the night to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Thanks everybody for your help.

Tennant Creek's Christmas Tree Nancy Ford harks back to Santas from the early days At the first Christmas Tree at Rising Sun Mine, three miles east of Noble's Nob, Mrs Weaber offered a prize of two pounds, which in 1934 was like a million dollars, to anyone who could ride the bucking kangaroo. Jack Noble, in his forties at the time, was half full of rum and got on his hands and knees on the dance floor and started bucking - he was the bucking kangaroo. The kids, and some 'grown-ups' too, had to try and ride on his back to a stand still to win the two pounds! He had a newspaper rolled up and stuck in the back of his trousers and the riders were given a box of matches with which to try and light the paper while at the same time trying to stay on his back. Jack Ford, aged six, was the last one to have a go and as Jack Noble was by this time really full of rum, bucking on the dance floor, Jack was able to light the newspaper in his trousers and win the two pounds! Years later when the Christmas Tree had outgrown the Weabers it moved into the Goldfields Hotel where it attracted around thirty children. It got too big for the Goldfields Hotel and a local Committee was formed. Nancy Ford has been involved for 45 years as Secretary and then as President. Jack Ford has given a building free for all these years to store the toys and later the trailer, castle, fairy floss machine, popcorn machine and the street decorations. The most toys ever given out was in 1997 when the committee gave out 708 gifts - 353 for girls and 355 for the boys. In 1999, there were 583 gifts given out, 282 for the boys and 301 for the girls. Each Christmas the main street is decorated with cartoon characters giving best wishes from the business houses. At Christmas Tree night, all children up to 10 years of age receive a free gift, free drinks, ice blocks, fairy floss, popcorn and lollies. There's a free barbeque for the adults. There are about 25 people dressed as cartoon characters to entertain the children. All this takes approximately twelve hard working people on the committee and a lot of other people working for us on the night. The Lions and Rotary Clubs run the barbeque for us and John Lavery and the footballers give our toys out. The Bush Fire Council put the tent up. Julalikari supply us with a fork lift and their rubbish truck. Jack Ford and his crew organise the castle and Tina Blankenspoor and her helpers organise the children getting on and off the castle. Gary Urlich drives the vehicle, pulling the float with the cartoon characters on the back. Nigel Skelton is always around to help our committee. We give presents out in the children's ward so all the children in hospital receive a gift and a visit from Santa Claus and his helpers. Then he goes to the Nursing home where all the patients receive a gift. Father Xmas and the Cartoon Characters mingle with the old folks and then off they go to Purkis Reserve where all the children are waiting. John Lewis from Bulls Freight has transported the toys to town free for many years and we are very grateful to John. There are about 45 people working for us on the night to make sure everything goes smoothly. Thanks everybody for your help.