CHRISTMAS IN DARWIN 1976

     For those who read and recall ‘Yuletide Thoughts of 2003, the theme was winter in Canada. This year’s location  could not be more removed from those snowbound environs. As I matured, so did the concept to encourage and assist those less fortunate, whom I come in contact with in daily life. Although I didn’t have monetary wealth, I did have a pursuit of happiness and a desire for others to be so too.

     Planning for Christmas in tropical Darwin in 1976 was discussed over many a cooling ale in the convivial surroundings of ‘The Hot & Cold Bar’ of the Darwin Hotel. December in the Top End is a time of high humidity with wonderful monsoonal storms. These storms are accompanied by frightening thunder claps and the most fantastic of Nature’s lightshows. Darwin is reputed to be the ‘Lightning Capital of the World’. Some of the electrical storms during our Wet Season have experienced 1200 lightning strikes being recorded in a single tempest.

      Rather than brave the elements of these downpours, we usually sheltered a little longer over more cooling beers. Bars in Darwin were very much the domain of all and sundry. The fairer sex were part of all eventualities, quite often the instigators. I am relating to the days soon after Cyclone Tracy which devestated the city. Although Darwin was a mecca for transients, there was an element that worked hard and played even harder. Both sexes worked in construction, prawn fishing and many opportunities to earn a living that didn’t seem so evident in the hustle and bustle of Southern cities.

     Hovering on the fringe of workers enjoying a cold drink after work were the idle drunks and the ‘long-grassers’. These were the unfortunates hooked on booze, who lived in abandoned car bodies or makeshift shelters. I imagine these folk are refered to as homeless these days, but I never saw them as homeless back then. They could be tracked to a certain vacant block or rudimentary shelter which no other would trespass. All such dongas were someone’s treasured home until they moved on.

     Many of these identities cruised the bars in search of handouts or a free beer. They were known to the locals and often indulged in conversation and the offer of a feed and drink. Although, the odour of some made this a little perplexing. Sean was one such soul who lived in a car body on a vacant block in the inner city. Down on his luck, he was a loner who carried his worldly belongings in an airline shoulder bag. Sean would circulate in the bar and swoop on any glass left unattended with a mouthful of beer in it. This was taken as acceptable behaviour to our group who enjoyed great mateship and didn’t lack funds to buy the next round.

       Planning Christmas in ’76 with Jimmy, Dermot, Patrick and Mick, four of my Irish mates, took place at our regular watering hole. Jimmy and Dermot had Aussie girlfriends who were a bit sceptical of our plan. Us blokas decided to give Sean a regular Christmas. There were to be conditions to make it easier for the girls. Firstly, Sean had to shower regularly, wear the new clothes we would buy for him, and he must try to curtail his outbursts of profanity.

      The invitation was accepted. Not as readily as we may have imagined, but Sean was lured by the free grog, food and clothing. To meet his obligations could possibly be another story. We checked his clothing sizes and with the help of the girls bought him three new outfits. Food was in abundance so Sean need never consider asking. In time it became an issue to get the beer out of his hand so he would eat!

       He cursed us when persuaded to shave, shower and get into fresh clothes. We had to cut off his beer supply until he complied to our pre-conditions. It proved to be a couple of days of Irish sing-alongs, constant laughter and wonderful friendship. Sean had a Christmas he would long remember. Sean became part of us for a few days

      When life got back to normal after the holiday break, Sean was teased by his peers, for his smart attire and clean shaven appearance. A stubble soon reappeared and the constant frown returned. But deep inside, I feel we were all better for the simplicity and celebration of Christmas ’76. . We would go our own ways and  hope never to find ourselves trapped in Sean’s lifestyle.

     After all it is a time for giving. May all Achiever readers be at peace this Yuletide.

Rainbows and smiles,

Dave in Darwin