Bell Street, Ipswich, 24 December 1917. The crowd waits expectantly for the arrival of Santa – Image courtesy of John Oxley Library
Christmas and New Year celebrations in Ipswich appear to have remained the same over the years. The Moreton Bay Courier in 1855 reported that Christmas was signalised by churchgoing, tranquil domestic festivity and cricket matches, and that the advent of the New Year was first announced by a discharge of the Ipswich artillery. This was followed by the heathenish practice of a mob going round the town pretending to dance and making as much noise as possible. General Stores advertised that supplies for the approaching Christmas Season were in stock. Not much has changed at all!