By Margaret Maccoll
Not everyone will be kicking back with a beer and some backyard cricket in Noosa this Christmas Day.
Emergency service workers will be making sure the community is safe and healthy, volunteers may be manning the beaches or caring for a loved one, hospitality workers will be helping others enjoy the festive cheer while others may be alone or away from their families.
Noosa Today spoke to a few people celebrating Christmas in different ways.
Clubbers begin Christmas with a surf
Sunshine Beach Surf Club lifesaving members start their Christmas Day with a dip and a treasure hunt.
Club lifeguard Scott Summers said what had become a club tradition was for “clubbers” to meet early on the day.
“We start with a swim – about 200m – go out the back and wait out there,” he said.
Once they’re called in to shore, they catch a wave in and race to a special area where the hunt is on for buried Christmas puddings.
“We all have breakfast and shake hands and wish each other a Merry Christmas,” he said.
Lifesaver patrols are changed on the day, so three groups of volunteers patrol three hours instead of the usual 5.5 hour shift so “people can get back to their families”.
“It’s a great day to work,” Scott said. “A lot of people come down to the beach. The kids come down with their new toys.”
Backpackers welcomed in
There will be about 300 backpackers staying at Nomads Noosa Backpackers Hostel, and about 220 of them have booked in for the free Christmas lunch.
Hostel second-in-charge Ty Skinner said as most of their guests were away from home, the hostel with the help of food and beverage outlets, provided them a home away from home celebration.
“We do a full Christmas lunch,” he said. “It’s a popular, vibe-y place.”
“The bar is closed, but they can bring their own drinks and then there’s a pool party.”
