Looking Back - Christmas in Morwell
By Leo Billington
As Christmas is here again, and its significance tends to be pushed aside, it is now an opportunity to look back. To a period where new cars, overseas holidays, flash jewels, food, drink, computer games and whatever, did not determine a mind-set. To a more settled, friendly life where life’s escalators were non-existent.
In editorial of Friday December 22, 1899, the Morwell Advertiser reminded its readers that “much yet remains to be done in the way of affording relief, and in a Christian country like this, and with a season approaching, commemorative of the birth of the greatest Preacher and the truest Exponent of Charity that the world has ever known, it must be the duty of all of us, both individually and collectively, to go not only metaphorically, but literally, into the lanes and bye ways of life.”
Miss Ellen Haiz and her sister, Mary, conducted a fancy goods emporium in Commercial Road, Morwell. Their advertisement on Friday November 25, 1898, announced different prices of Christmas cards alongside popular items reminiscent of the era - cigar cases, books, crockery, stationery.
In its editorial on Friday December 21, 1906, the Morwell Advertiser put in its plug for a joyous Christmas:
“Our local shopkeepers have got a large supply of goods in, and have gone to considerable trouble in tastefully decorating their windows and showing a fine display of Xmas novelties, and once again old "Santa Claus" should have no difficulty in getting something nice for all the children who hang up their stockings, and we hope each little child's heart will be made glad with a Christmas box.
In short, we trust all our readers will spend a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year.”
This Christmas message also told readers that “the Romans festooned their houses with holly in honour of the god, Saturn. Romans sent their friends, sprigs of holly, thus indicating their good wishes for prosperity and long life.” A lovely touch instead of solar multicolour fairy lights!
On December 12, 1915, the Victorian Railways placed an advertisement for Christmas and New Year Excursions. An explanation regarding availability of excursion tickets as from December 10. Apparently, so it’s recorded, this gesture was most welcome.
As was the custom in those days, another Christmas message was printed for everyone to read and ponder. Readers were asked to reflect about the poem, ‘Bingen on the Rhine.’
“Near Bingen (Germany) there is the Mouse Tower, and the story goes that a very selfish man, a bishop, stored up all the grain he could get, far more than he could use; but he was so selfish he wouldn't give any away, and he was dreadfully cruel to some very poor people who took some. Then a plague of mice came along and cleaned up all the wheat, and as the story goes cleaned up the bishop too. Some think they are sure to be happy if they have lots of money; but no matter how much money you have, you are not really happy if you don't use it well. I want you to be generous hearted boys and girls; be willing to sacrifice yourselves for the sake of others. and your souls will grow and expand”.
Morwell Advertiser editorial - Thursday December 3, 1936.
Later on in December 1954, well known Australian food writer, Maria Kozslik Donovan provided editorial for the Morwell Advertiser (Monday December 20, 1954). Her focus was Christmas pudding pointing out there are two varieties. One which comes tinned and requires only a can-opener, the other which is made at home by the housewife. The tinned version was described as tasting like melted liquorice fortified with glycerine, which is used in explosives. The other reminded her of threepences.
Not long after Christmas 1960, the Morwell Advertiser (January 19, 1961) revealed in an article announcing Senior Detective Peter Kelly’s farewell, his achievement of a crime detection rate of 73 per cent. Apparently, it was the “highest in the world.”
In the weeks immediately after Christmas 1960, Ern Sipp had a “tidy - up sale” at his camera shops; advertised on Thursday January 19,1961.
To provide post-Christmas entertainment - or ‘things to do” - the Morwell Go-Kart Club arranged “an action packed program” to celebrate its new Drive-In track, immediately adjacent to the then Panoramic Drive-In theatre. (Morwell Advertiser, Thursday January 19, 1961.)
The Morwell Advertiser – Friday December 23, 1904 - sent its final message for that year.
“Australia, however, is not far behind the mother land in her Christmas celebrations. Most people look forward to having a holiday and spending a merry time in a manner they best enjoy.
Sports of various kinds, picnics, fishing, boating. shooting, hunting dancing, etc., are amongst the many pastimes in which Australians find greatest pleasure. Another important feature here about Christmas is that many families whose members have been dispersed and scattered far and wide in the restless struggles of life, are then re-united and meet once again in that happy state of companionship and mutual good will, which is a source of such pure and unalloyed delight”.
Finally, a Christmas pudding recipe provided by the Morwell Advertiser on Friday December 20, 1901.
Take two pounds of fine bread crumbs, one pound of sultana raisins, one pound of currants, one pound of prunes (best quality), one pound of figs, one pound of dessert raisins, one and a half pounds of suet, one pound of mixed candied peel, one and a half pounds of sugar, half a pound of flour, one tablespoonful each of salt, ginger, and allspice, twelve pounded cloves and half a grated nutmeg, two wine glassfuls of brandy, fourteen eggs, - well beaten, mix with a small bottle of stout, and boil for fourteen hours.
Have a great Christmas.
