There are times these days when I worry somewhat about the younger generation, or some of them, but when the letters to Santa keep coming my faith in society is restored.
I realise, of course, that too many youngsters only really believe in me for a few years these days, but that’s a sign of the times with the good old values disappearing from society.
In a little over a week my busiest time will be here and with the help of my faithful companion Rudolph and his reindeers and the support from Mrs Claus I’ll be flat out on my Christmas rounds.
The one thing I continue to like about Christmas is that it embraces everyone no matter what creed, race, colour or political persuasion, as well as the rich and the not so well off.
And while the variety of the Chrissie presents has changed to be more dominated by items that buzz and which are more mobilised in shape and form, there are still those dolls for the fairer sex around the world.
What is worrying Rudolph and me somewhat as Christmas draws closer is the uncertainty of our weather.
Our forecasters remain unsure on whether it will be wet or not, because when it’s damp my job becomes more hazardous. Mrs Claus worries more when the weather is inclement and Rudolph’s female companion Rosie is always happy to see him home after one of our numerous sojourns into the night skies.
Actually, I’ve been on the square for a couple of months but this doesn’t mean I won’t be looking for that odd glass of wine – preferably red – or beer to have a sip from when I visit your house. And one good thing, generally speaking, about working in Australia at this time of the year is that I can slip down most chimneys without any risk of burning my feet or some other parts of my body.
A little disappointing
One thing, however, that I’ve found a trifle disappointing is that today’s Santas, fair dinkum like me or those helping out in a store near you, are not supposed to be able to say “Ho, Ho, Ho” anymore.
I can understand considering the way a lot of our society seems to be going that we have been banned from kids being able to sit on our knees, which makes it harder for Gran or Mum and Dad to take those happy snaps.
And, also, while I have a lot of time for Chinese ingenuity and business nous, I would prefer to be able to deliver more presents marked “Made in Australia”. But that’s another story which we probably don’t need to go into here.
So far, I’ve not been worried by any global warming, but there’s no doubt our weather patterns are changing, so maybe one day in the future we’ll be able to enjoy a white Christmas in the Land Down Under!!!
By the way, I didn’t take part in the “Movember” fundraiser, although I did give the beard a bit of trim.
Well, I’m a busy fellow and it’s time I packed a few more sacks. Oh ( that’s HO backwards ) I noticed when sorting some gifts recently there were presents for our premier and his treasurer. It looked like a new pair of glasses for the premier and a hearing aid for the other fellow. Maybe they will help the pair get a better view of what they’re not doing with the state and to better listen to the constituents!!
Anyway, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, don’t imbibe too much and watch your diet. Oh, and be careful on the roads. John Bown has spent a lifetime writing about people and events, firstly as a working journalist in Melbourne and later as a managing editor of a group of suburban newspapers before he joined BHP as editor of its company magazine, 'The BHP Review', then Employee Communications Manager. Finally, he was wooed to Port Kembla steelworks for five years as Public and Employee Communications Manager, and Project Manager for the $17 million SAP computer program before retiring and setting up John Bown Communications. Alas 'retirement' does not see him on the golf course anywhere near as often as he would like. | 
