Libby Hewson announces Carols on the Creek tradition will continue

A Gold Coast family who canned their 20-year tradition of doing Christmas carols on Currumbin Creek has backflipped after an outpouring of public support.

Libby Hewson says her family's Christmas Carols on the Creek has been hijacked after 20 years

A Gold Coast family who canned their 20-year tradition of doing Christmas carols on Currumbin Creek has backflipped after an outpouring of public support.

In September, Currumbin Waters resident Libby Hewson cancelled her annual Christmas Carols on the Creek tradition after it was “hijacked” by another family.

After three months of “support from residents” Ms Hewson decided she would continue the tradition.

Christmas Carols on the Creek was at the centre of a community row over who should run it. Now three months later Currumbin Waters residents Dave and Libby Hewson is announcing the tradition will continue on. Picture Glenn Hampson

At the time Ms Hewson said she was “devastated” to find out the event she had been celebrating since she was eight years old was allegedly taken over.

“Carols on the Creek has been going for around 20 years now and it has become a special occasion for not only us but the community,” she said.

“We’ve watched little kids become adults and now their kids join in, even our own granddaughter.”

Ms Hewson said the tradition began with “a tinnie, a boombox and Santa hats”.

“We went up and down the canal singing and we called it Carols on the Creek,” she said.

“We invited friends and family, so more boats joined us and we started putting out flyers and inviting the community.”

Libby Hewson at eight-years-old celebrating the Carols on the Creek event

Ms Hewson said she didn’t want to let the tradition die.

“There’s been years when Dave (Ms Hewson’s husband) and I have thought maybe people are over it but the recent outpour and support from residents via phone calls and messages has been amazing,” she said.

“For me personally there is nothing better than seeing the look on kids faces when they see Santa coming and seeing groups of family and friends coming together.

“That’s what it’s about, the community coming together.”

Ms Hewson said they are holding the Carols on the Creek on December 17 and they will meet other boats under the M1 bridge at Currumbin Creek to kickstart the day.

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