As we know, Sandgate was a hugely popular holiday destination in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, especially during the summer months and particularly at Christmas.
Brisbane folk headed north to enjoy the many entertainments on offer – the usual seaside pastimes: fishing, paddling, sea bathing (segregated in the early years, of course), picnicking, and, while it lasted, much fun was to be had at the Victoria skating rink. Boxing Day saw the start of the annual sailing regatta and, for those of a wagering turn of mind, there was Sandgate Turf Club’s Christmas race meeting at Deagon.
What was Christmas in old Sandgate like? Accounts varied. In 1887, the Moreton Mail reported that “all was fun and jollity”, with the town festooned in seasonal greenery, shop windows decked “to the very best and most tempting effect” and “Christmas fruits, sugared cakes and toothsome dainties everywhere”.
The following year, the Telegraph was not quite so complimentary: “Christmas Eve in Sandgate was … quite dull, with little in the way of decorations”, this being, in the correspondent’s opinion, due to the town council’s failure to provide adequate lighting.
Music enlivened the town’s revels. The Sandgate Town Band provided a roving concert of Christmas music, one year tramping a five-mile route to spread festive cheer. Music lovers could also attend concerts on the pier, that of 1907 being reported as “a novelty for Christmas night in the shape of a gramophone recital of Handel’s Messiah”.
Crowds, Complaints, and Community Spirit
Big crowds converged on Sandgate over the holidays, especially on Boxing Day, most coming by train. These folk frequented the pubs, played games on the sand, promenaded about the town and, sometimes, caused inconvenience for locals, often catalogued in letters to the newspapers, mostly critical of the council. In 1916, one letter writer complained that Moora Park had been turned into a “car park and livery stable, the ground being a repository for manure and the oily refuse of motor cars”, and that the cars and “other contraptions” were taking up all the shade under the trees. Worse was the seeming neglect of sanitary arrangements. In 1917, there were two major complaints: one concerned the “very primitive conveniences” provided by the Sandgate council for visitors, and the other a dearth of rubbish receptacles.
Generally, though, jollity abounded, especially in the pubs’ people enjoyed themselves and, with police keeping “a smart lookout for any attempts at larrikinism”, behaviour was generally good.
Season’s greetings to you, although, should your celebrations incline to larrikinism, keep it low key. And remember: goodwill (and toothsome dainties) to all.
With thanks to the Sandgate Historical Museum (opening hours: Sunday and Wednesday, 9am to 1.30pm. Adults $5, Children $3, Membership $20/$30).
Read more stories from the Sandgate Guide print magazine here:
- Bramble Buzz: Updates from the Community
- Podcast Review:Christmas Past
- New Netflix Christmas Classics
- Jungle Perch Kuhlia rupestris
- Steam Through History on Christmas Twilight Train
- Tis the Season for Giving…and Scamming?
- Next Step Beyond Year 12: Exploring Future Pathways
- Organic Gardening in December
- All-Abilities Dance Takes Centre Stage At Sandgate
- Student Reporters Get the Scoop
- The Birds of Summer
- Nashville Students Collaborate With Musician For Road Safety
- Sparkle Into the New Year with Sandgate Celebrations
- Summer Fun Starts With Safe Swimming Habits
- Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe
- Ready for Storm Season
- Uniting Church Celebrates 30 Years of Christmas Lights
- Festive Fun with Santa Water Sports on Sandgate Beach
- Fishing For School Holiday Ideas? Summer Fun Around Sandgate
- Shorncliffe Station Closes for Major Heritage Restoration
- Christmas is in the Air
- Try Curling: A Quirky Olympic Sport to Kick Off the New Year
