By Shelby Brooks
There was excitement all round when Santa paid a visit to Beaconsfield Upper Primary School on Monday 13 December.
Santa had taken a break from his North Pole duties to be driven around the school oval as students waved and handed over donations to be passed onto the
St Vincent de Paul Berwick to be distributed to families in need in time for Christmas.
“I love your car Santa!“ one child shouted as Santa waved back from the vintage car.
Colin Goldsmith was also celebrating his 50th year as Santa’s helper for Beaconsfield Upper Primary School.
“I never aimed to be here for 50 years, I can tell you!“ he said.
Mr Goldsmith said he still got nervous beforehand the Father Christmas met the children.
“But I was alright, I only had to wave,“ he said.
Mr Goldsmith began his Santa duties when his youngest son started at the school.
“My son was five and he just turned 55,“ he said.
It was Mr Goldsmith’s wife who dobbed him in to help.
“She came home that night and said the kids were going to bring a present, rather than get a present, and I put your name down, you’re Santa’s helper,“ he said.
Could it have been that Mr Goldsmith’s wife saw him as round and jolly enough for the role?
“It could have been that, yes,“ he said, laughing.
Back then, there was no more than 100 kids at the school. Now there are around 400.
At one stage Mr Goldsmith was in high demand, doing four kindergartens, the city of Berwick breakup party and the primary school.
“By the end of the week I’d had it,“ he said.
Now he just helps Santa at Beaconsfield Upper.
“I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,“ he said.
“I though Covid might have fixed it all up but I think this is a great idea, driving around in the car.“
Santa still wears the original suit, that has shrunk in the wash over the years and still has a hearty ’ho ho ho’.
“If you’re friendly and outgoing, the kids will follow you,“ he said.
