CHRISTMAS TIME CATCH UP’S
Kevin Byrne
Executive Manager
Enterprise North
What does Christmas mean to you? “It is a time for Christian celebration and quiet reflection on the past year first and foremost. It also is a time when we plan to be with family and close friends to enjoy and celebrate all that is good about our circumstances and friendships”.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season? “ I am looking forward to an injection of certainly and positiveness, and better conditions for the many thousands of Australians who have faced hardships and difficulties throughout the past year through circumstances that no one predicted.
How do you and your family / friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year? “Unless I can travel to central NSW to meet up with my extended family it will be a quiet time here locally with friends.I just hope that we will be a able to travel with confidence and that the public is provided with some certainty”
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions? “Yes I love cooking so I am happiest when I can entertain friends and love ones”
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Ben Johnson (Major)
Corps Officer / Team Leader
Salvation Army
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas reminds me of God’s love for humanity through Jesus and our responsibility to care for those entrusted to us.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Helping the community reconnect with each other!
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
Our family will attend our Salvation Army Christmas Day service (9.30am) and then share in lunch with friends and family.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Playing and singing Christmas carols in the shopping centres and around the streets with the Salvation Army band.
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John Cameron
General Manager
Cairns Jockey Club
What does Christmas mean to you? It is the part of my life where traditionally is spent with the entire family, celebrating life and playing with the grandchildren. It is a time to reflect on how privileged we are to live in Australia and enjoy the lifestyle in Cairns whilst others are not so fortunate. It reminds my family and I to practicably put in place plans to donate more time and money to those less fortunate.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season? I do enjoy partying and eating too much with friends and family.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year? That still remains undecided because my family are based in Melbourne and the Gold Coast therefore we are not sure of what we can do at this moment in time. It might have to be a deferred celebration in to the New Year.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions? Good red wine, my wife’s cooking and laughter.
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Megs Walker
Lead Agent/Director
The Industry Estate Agents
What does Christmas mean to you? (Anyone that knows me knows that Christmas has always been my favourite day of the year. Since I was a child until this day I struggle to sleep the night before Christmas. There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the pure joy in your child’s eyes on Christmas morning. The memories and traditions that I grew up on and now passed down to my kids makes me extremely proud as a parent and my only hope is for them to do the same with their families. As nice as it is to have a house full of presents on Christmas morning (in the scheme of things is not the most important part of Christmas) there is no better feeling in the world than spending this day with the people you love most in your life, laughing and eating all day even though your belly hurts to the point of exploding but there is still always room for mums famous trifle or pavlova all the while struggling to keep the runs on the board with a back yard cricket game)
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
(12 months ago I don’t believe there is a person in the world that could or would of predicted the world to come to a complete hold. It has been extremely sad and emotional to see so many families struggling through 2020. In my field of work we have seen the significant impact COVID 19 as had on our clients and their families. What myself and our team at The Industry is looking forward to the most is taking the 10 days over Christmas to really connect with our family and loved ones. I think COVID 19 has opened everyone’s eyes in the world that possessions and things are just that…… material things will never give you unconditional love, empathy or support. We never took a day off throughout this whole year even during lock down we pushed through working hard for our clients and supporting them through such a hard time so I think these 10 days over Christmas/New Year will be amazing for us all to re connect with our families and spend that quality time needed.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
This year if all the stars align we are hoping to celebrate with both sides of our family down on the Sunshine Coast and have a really traditional sandy beach/ Christmas BBQ.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Anything that lights up is my Jam. I am that annoying human that puts our Christmas Tree up in November and takes it down end of January sometimes feburary. It gives me and my kids so much enjoyment to sit in the lounge room surounded by twinkling lights.
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Megan McKay
Owner
Splash Restaurant
What does Christmas mean to you? It creeps up on us every year, the year goes faster as we near December & then bang its here. For me it’s a pause button, that moment to stop, take a deep breath, relax, reflect & be grateful for all that we have.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
We close the restaurant for a few days too. Even though we could book Splash out 10 times over, I insist my staff spend this special time with their loved ones too. That’s very important to me. As an employer for over 20 years I have never budged on this. We all return after some time off to take on the craziness that is New Years.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
Christmas 2020 for Malcolm, myself & our children Alex & Georgie will be at our home in Bayview Heights with family & friends. Celebrations will be over a few days.
I always take pride in skinning, scoring & glazing a big fat ham! There will be the token potato salad, Dons famous chilled prawn & mango salad and then well its just not Christmas without the Pavlova!!!!!! My sister in law Lisa & I like to come up with a different Christmas Cocktail each year for fun.
We are working on the 2020 version right now.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
The McKay family Christmas tradition is ‘’our version” of celebrity heads played on the bon bon hats! Reminiscent to Pauls Kellys how to make gravy, later in the evening we push the tables back & gather round for some hilarious antics!
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Krystle Tokunai
Owner
Tokunai Hair
What does Christmas mean to you?
Family / Downtime
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Downtime 2020 brought so much uncertainty
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
with lots of food, family , friends
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Not really however i actually like christmas music
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Mayor Bob Manning
Cairns Region
What does Christmas mean to you?
Firstly, it’s the celebration of the birth of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus. Secondly, it has become tradition to connect either by Christmas greeting cards or email newsletter with friends and family scattered all around Australia and the world and for some, this is the only time of the year we set aside time to keep in touch. It’s a special time of the year to catch up on what’s been happening in our friends’ lives for the year.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Hopefully, for the lifting of Covid restrictions even further and for the ability to connect in bigger groups at Christmas concerts etc.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
We honestly haven’t thought that far ahead yet! Usually we attend a church service together in the morning and spend the day with close family.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
It’s the only time of the year we order a leg of ham and Christmas morning breakfast sees the ham get sliced up for the first time and ham and eggs enjoyed by everyone. When we were young, our parents always had a hot meal for Christmas Day lunch.
Years ago, we decided it is way too hot to be having a hot meal and so we now have cold local fresh seafood and delicious salads.
We always have a Christmas tree which is lovingly decorated and gifts for each other are ‘mysteriously’ placed either under or hidden in the branches. Traditionally we have phone calls or FaceTime with members of the family who are not with us on the day.
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Warren Entsch MP
Federal Member
for Leichhardt
What does Christmas mean to you?
I have said that Christmas means time with the family. It means spending time with people whom I have an attachment to, with the opportunity to share meals with one another. I also love the joy I feel when spending time with close friends and family. I also invite people I call ‘our orphans’, those with no local family to our Christmas lunch as well.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Last year, I predicted that 2020 will be one of the best years on record as it is a balanced year. Well I couldn’t have been any more wrong! Drought, floods, bushfires and a pandemic—I’ve seen so many people in our community struggle throughout 2020. I’m just looking forward to the end, in the hopes that 2021 will bring back some sense normality.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
As I do every year, I am planning on going out to my farm and do some cooking for all my friends and family. I want to maximise the time with them this year before heading to my next-door neighbour’s farm to help them get some relief from the chores of milking on Christmas Day. That way, they get a chance to spend some time with their family too. My wife has also suggested that we book into a restaurant with family and friends, but that has not been settled on yet.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Ever since I’ve had children, I’ve gotten up a little earlier and waited for my kids to make me a cup of coffee and we sit next to the Christmas Tree. After the coffee is made, I individually hand out presents to all my children, one at a time, to spread the presents experience. Finally, like many people’s favourite traditions, my family and I always enjoy some ham and eggs for breakfast on Christmas Day.
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Dom Davies
Owner
The Woolshed Cairns
What does Christmas mean to you?
Celebrating the Birth of Jesus and from that sharing special family time. Having a big traditional lunch with extended family and close friends. Always 20 – 30.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Getting lots of presents, then being able to fly down South and spend a few weeks and my folks beach house for a family fiesta of surf, beach, mountainbiking, cooking, loving and a few beers and a little wine. Connecting with my nieces and nephews, a bit of golf out the back door.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
At home with the DaLims and Daslers. Mass on Chrissy eve, Cooking, Lunch, always on one big long table, set specially by Deb, secret Sanda, Mango Daquiris, swimming, hopefully a little dancing. Kids will probs roll out the Kombi and do a few a few rooftop DJ sets. Lotsa love. Hope to keep Brad sober and in his clothes.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
All of above. Oh yeah I forgot, I secretly put on the Air Cond but leave the back of the home open to the outdoor/pool area, so we keep the vibe. Don’t tell Deb (beautiful wife), she might get cranky!
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Charmaine Saunders
Mainie Founder
Mainie Australia
What does Christmas mean to you?
Christmas is a time to reflect upon how fortunate I am to have such a close and loving family.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Spending time with my family, especially the grandchildren. Denis and I have 11 now!
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
No plans as yet. We are a pretty casual bunch and will probably not venture too far from our pool. Denis will probably do a smoked ham in the Weber.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Creating a special Christmas cocktail/mocktails menu. We do a mix of a classics cocktails plus some we invent ourselves. Our favourite cocktail is the “Rudolph”. Equal parts of Kahlua, Baileys Irish Cream and Liquor 43 over ice in a whiskey tumbler glass. A maraschino cherry garnish is the Rudolph’s red nose. Last year’s Christmas mocktail was the Baby Yoda. See pic xx
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Louise Struber
Marketing Manager
Cairns Central
What does Christmas mean to you?
Quality time with family and making memories. Cue ‘it’s the most wonderful time of the year’ song!
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Celebrating with family and friends, and enjoying the freedom we took for granted. Goodbye 2020 and hello 2021!
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
Dressing up, eating good food and watching the kids enjoy their presents. This year my sister and her family are coming up so I’m looking forward to cuddles with my brand new niece.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Visiting the Christmas lights across Cairns! My Dad insists we go to the best spots multiple times in a convoy of cars. Now I have two young children it’s even more special.
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Jenny Cavallaro
Business Manager
Allaro Homes
What does Christmas mean to you?
Family & Friends. Recharge & re focus.
2020 has brought many unexpected surprises for all Australians, what are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Chilling out & completing unfinished projects.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
Around the pool.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
Christmas Eve Santa Boat in Bluewater.
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Hugh and Quin Nolan
HQ Adventures
Hqtwinlife
Answered direct from their mouths typed by Mum.
What does Christmas mean to you?
Presents from Santa (if we are good).
What are you looking forward to most this festive season?
Swimming and no school.
How do you and your family/friends plan to spend your Christmas Day this year?
Open presents from Santa, go to Nana’s for lots of food.
Do you have any favourite Christmas traditions?
(After explaining the word traditions) Santa photo at Cairns Central, driving around for ages looking at lights singing Santas songs and giving old toys to kids that don’t have any.
