Tim Doyle launches petition to bring back Townsville Carols by Candlelight

One man has taken it upon himself to take a stand against Townsville City Council for cancelling this year’s Carols by Candlelight.

One man has taken it upon himself to take a stand against Townsville City Council for cancelling this year’s Carols by Candlelight.

Tim Doyle has started a change.org petition to bring the carols back.

“I don’t see a reason why it can’t go ahead. You can pack 50-odd thousand in a stadium but apparently an open-air alcohol-free event is impossible,” he said.

“Having another virtual event, kids spent the whole year stuck in front of screens.

“There’s no reason the council can’t organise it.”

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The council is this year hosting a “COVID safe digital offering” showcasing a best of carols from over the years, hosted by radio personality Pricey with Christmas messages and recorded performance from the 1RAR band.

Tim Doyle has created an online petition in the hope of persuading Townsville City Council to bring back Carols by Candlelight.

Mr Doyle said this was not good enough. The passionate carols fan believed Townsville deserved more from the council after battling its way though the COVID-19 pandemic.

A council spokeswoman said the cost and lack of live acts due to COVID restrictions had made hosting the carols unfeasible.

With no new COVID cases reported in the city for weeks, with the last case being a woman aged in her 30s testing positive in October, Mr Doyle baulked at the idea the pandemic was to blame for the cancellation of live carols.

He questioned how the city was capable of hosting NRL games and the Jeff Horn versus Tim Tszyu fight but not the Christmas celebration.

Mr Doyle said a smaller celebration would be acceptable alternative.

“On such short notice there’s plenty of talent, plenty of schools that would be up for it,” he said.

Mr Doyle’s online petition on change.org has gathered plenty of support. He wishes to demonstrate the council has made the wrong decision.

“It is ludicrous that after the year we have had and with the restrictions lifted that we can’t have carols. Cairns and the Burdekin are having them,” Rod Doyle, who signed the petition, said.

“This is our only night to get together with the family and sing and laugh and go home happy and God knows in this climate and the year we have had we need the distraction,” Keith Winstanley said.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said COVID-19 had prevented the council from delivering an event on the same scale as previous years.

Carols @ Home will launch on the council’s website on December 6 from 6.30pm and will also be streamed on Triple M.

Originally published as Tim Doyle launches petition to bring back Townsville Carols by Candlelight