Thousands of readers back the return of the town hall's Christmas nativity scene
More than 7300 Chronicle readers voted to support a nativity scene's return to Toowoomba town hall, defying concerns about religious displays on government property.
An overwhelming number of Chronicle readers have backed the Toowoomba Regional Council’s decision to return a Christmas nativity scene to the front of the town hall.
The collection of small statues depicting Jesus’ birth is owned by the Toowoomba Lions Club and was placed at the Toowoomba Hospice in 2024, prompting criticism from a broad section of the Garden City’s Christian community.
Toowoomba councillors said residents believed erroneously the nativity scene had been removed entirely as part of a “politically-correct move”.
“I always know when it’s an issue that has really affected people when I’m buying my bread and milk and people are coming up and talking to me about it,” she said.
“When I explained it was somewhere else, it didn’t really change their feelings about it.”
A Chronicle poll asking readers if they approved of placing a religious scene in front of a government building attracted some 7600 votes, 7300 of which approved to the move.
“Christmas is the Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and as such the birth of Christ and the nativity are quintessential religious and cultural icons for millions of Christians who celebrate Christmas,” Daniel Medlicott said.
“To see the nativity restored and displayed would be fantastic to see and celebrate the reason for Christmas.”
Prominent real estate agent Jacqui Walker thanked the council.
“Jesus is the centre of Christmas – he is the whole Christmas message,” she said
“It is so beautiful to see the nativity scene restored.”
Susan Plant went one step further, saying the nativity scene needs a proper home.
“The nativity scene should be displayed by TRC in a prominent place,” she said.
“It should also not just be plonked on the ground.
“Some sort of setting, like a timber stable facade, would be more appropriate.”
There were also calls for other faiths to be recognised throughout the calendar year.
“All faith celebrations should be celebrated, demonstrated and respected at City Hall,” Ellisa Parker said
“Christmas, Easter, Ramadan, Eid, Yom Kippur, Chinese New Year, Festival of Chariots – with an informative placard to educate the community on their global significance and promote respectful interfaith dialogue.”
According to data collected in the 2021 census, the largest ‘religious’ group in Toowoomba were people with secular beliefs, or not religious affiliation, at 31.7 per cent of respondent.
This was followed by Catholics at 19.9 per cent, Anglicans at 14.8 per cent and 20.7 for the remaining Christian denominations.
Hinduism accounted for 1.2 per cent of respondents, Islam was 0.8 per cent and Buddhism was at 0.9 per cent.
Originally published as Thousands of readers back the return of the town hall's Christmas nativity scene
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