Tributes flow for Max Christmas after sudden death of Gold Coast ‘giant’
Max Christmas was a chippie turned champion surf lifesaver who rode the Glitter Strip’s rollercoaster real estate cycle better than anyone else. Now tributes continue to flow for one of the Gold Coast’s biggest advocates.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- 10 giant projects shaking up Gold Coast cityscape
- Coast suburbs where house prices are rising fastest
MAX Christmas was a chippie turned champion surf lifesaver who rode the Glitter Strip’s rollercoaster real estate cycle better than anyone else.
On his retirement in 2004, he was estimated to be worth at least $10 million, having been behind some of the biggest property deals in the 1960s and 1970s, negotiating with Sea World’s Keith Williams and former Mirage boss Christopher Skase.
But his friends on Friday, shocked to learn of his death, remember him for being a visionary, always extraordinarily parochial about the Coast and the life of the party, full of humour and storytelling.
He was not concerned about being centre stage for controversy, once suspended from driving his red Rolls-Royce for eight months after drinking driving. He wore the “white shoe brigade” tag with pride during the pro-development Joh-Bjelke-Petersen days because he believed it showed the Coast had entrepreneurial spirit.
Despite having suffered financially during the global financial crisis, he continued to be optimistic, even in what would be the last weeks of life. With the COVID crisis blocking overseas tourism doors, he never gave up on the Gold Coast.
“The weather is huge. Clean air, water, no pollution,” he told the Bulletin.
No matter how many tall-tower projects he saw fail to rise from the ground in Surfers Paradise, he knew the permanency of good weather and its golden stretch of beaches would continue to attract tourists. For him, the sun just shone out of the place.
He was a champion lifesaver and working on a roof at a building site when real estate agent and property developer Doug Bryant pulled up in an expensive car, changing his life’s course.
Mr Christmas asked how he could get to drive a car like that, and Mr Bryant flatly replied: “Get off that roof for a start.” Mr Bryant later hired him as a salesman.
Mr Christmas established Max Christmas Ltd real estate agency in Surfers Paradise in 1971.
By 1981 he was widening his business interests in what later was regarded as pioneering steps. First he targeted Hong Kong then in 1985 was the first Australian property identity to enter Japan.
Across the next five years Mr Christmas introduced more than $2.5 billion worth of property business in Australia to Japanese investors alone.
Those transactions included the Sheraton Mirages, the Royal Pines Integrated Resort, Hope Island Integrated Resort and Sea World.
By mid-1990s he had co-founded outrigger racing in Australia.
The Max Christmas Group in 1997 developed relationships with the Mainland China in Shanghai and Beijing.
He was elected to council in 2001 and was always going to make a splash. The new Surfers Paradise councillor first proposed The Spit, Wavebreak Island and South Stradbroke Island become nude beaches.
In December 2002, after hiring the 30-piece Surfers Paradise Brass Band, Mr Christmas and his 60 party guests were left stranded on a charter boat after the captain jumped overboard.
A disagreement had occurred after Mr Christmas allegedly asked for the ship to cruise the canal system. Of course, the partying continued for several hours, and a court case much longer.
Two years later, at 65, Mr Christmas called it quits, giving the management rights to his business to Ray White Surfers Paradise proprietors and brothers Andrew and Greg Bell.
“It’s an opportunity to step away gracefully. I’m 65 and still at the top of the ladder, and I’ve got a national tenant moving in. It’s a nice way to go out. They came to me,” he said.
His long-time mate Billy James put the exit into perspective. “He’s made some big, big deals and he’s a deep thinker who knows about strategy when it comes to putting something together.”
Mr Christmas continued to be a voice for Surfers Paradise. He was a strategic advisor to the Vice Chancellor at Griffith University, maintained his connections with the National Outrigger Association and Surfers Paradise Surf Life Saving Club.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
He was inducted into the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards Businessperson Hall of Fame, and for his work for real estate, property development and sport awarded an Order of Australia.
Surfers Paradise MP John-Paul Langbroek summed up an expansive life in a short tweet on Friday.
“Sorry to hear of the passing of Max Christmas: husband, father, grandfather, businessman, surf boat sweep, councillor. A giant of the Gold Coast: an indelible part of our progression from the 1950s village to 21st-century city.”
For those who knew him across the decades, he will be remembered not for the expansive deals but breadth of his generosity and conversation.
“He was always full of humour,” a mate said.
Another long-term friend, from the days when Surfers Paradise was a village, said: “He was a lovely person. We loved Max. He loved all his wives, his children. He will be sadly missed.”
Thea Williams, wife of the late legendary developer Keith Williams, recalls how Mr Christmas would always stop by the tables in the dining precinct at Main Beach for a chat. He would first talk about the Coast. “Then he would tell you about the world,” she said.
The two who have known each other for decades recently ran into each other as Ms Williams bought a bottle of Rose.
Asked what he was up to, Mr Christmas, before leaving said: “I’m just getting my supplies, darling.”
Then he disappeared, on a mission, for good conversation, grand ideas, all full of good cheer. Her last glimpse was his smiling face.
EARLIER
A PIONEERING businessman described as “Mr Gold Coast” and a giant of the real estate industry has died.
Close friends are shocked after learning that former Gold Coast city councillor and Surfers Paradise surf lifesaving legend Max Christmas had died overnight.
Carbine Club members on Friday began contacting members with one saying “so glad I have our last meeting with him as a lasting memory and he was not sick somewhere in a hospital”.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS
Thea Williams, wife of the late legendary developer Keith Williams, said Mr Christmas was in good health when she saw him recently.
Friends believe Mr Christmas had a heart attack. He had been living on his own.
“I’ve known him since he was 18. We were really great mates,” Ms Williams said.
“I met him before I met Keith. He was a lifesaver. He was a lovely person. We always loved Max. He will be sadly missed. He was a character around town.”
Mayor Tom Tate, on learning the news, told the Bulletin: “Max epitomised everything that is good about the Gold Coast. He will be remembered for his passion, particularly for his love of real estate and the industry. He helped many young people get a start in their real estate careers and was a strong and loyal supporter of surf lifesaving on the Coast. Max also gave back to the community by representing council, a role I know he thoroughly enjoyed. He will be remembered as Mr Gold Coast to many. Condolences to his family.”
Opposition leader David Crisafulli in a tweet said Mr Christmas had never stopped wanting to see the city progress.
“Just a week ago, he contacted me with a list of things to pursue as Opposition leader. A fighter for the Gold Coast until the end,” Mr Crisafulli tweeted.
Surfers Paradise businessman George Friend said Mr Christmas was life president of the Carbine Club and had met with members in recent days.
“He was one of my great mentors and friends. He was a giant for Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast, we stand on the shoulders of these giants,” Mr Friend said.
“Max was so far ahead of his time. I had lunch with him last week. He was there in fine form.
“He has had a lot of (health) challenges over the past few years. But he was in fine form. He has a great sense of humour. He was a character.”
Mr Friend said Mr Christmas would be remembered as a strong advocate for tourism and development.
“He was a surf lifesaver. He was so ahead of his time in engaging the Japanese. He attracted international business. He was right ahead of his time for the Chinese as well,” Mr Friend said.
In 2017, Mr Christmas, then 78, was still making real estate news.
He had placed the family’s tropical Surfers Paradise waterfront haven on the market at $2.575 million.
But he had no intention of leaving the Isle of Capri, only downsizing.
“We’ll always own properties here,” Mr Christmas said. “We want a smaller house but we won’t be moving more than a few streets away.”
The property veteran and former councillor paid $660,000 for the 685sq m property in 1998.
In 2016, Mr Christmas was one of seven people on the Coast recognised as part of the Queen’s Birthday honours.
Mr Christmas was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to the property development industry, tourism, local government and community groups.
He said his passion for his work had been the key to his success.
“To me it’s like a holiday going to work, every day is just a lovely new day,” he said.
“The excitement that comes from that day, what I can contribute to that day, what we can create in that day, the brain doesn’t stop - seven days a week, day and night, it’s enjoyment.”
Mr Christmas said he had enjoyed being involved in a wide range of groups on the Gold Coast.
“I’ve been involved in the university, a lot of charities, homeless youth, in developing, I’m currently a chairman in the centre of the CBD here in shopkeepers and tourism and I am the chairman of thinking forward five years,” he said.
The Mayor and the party people
The Gold Coast Mayor, his wife and Deputy Mayor joined the party crowd at the launch of the latest hotspot to hit Nobby Beach. Full story and photos
Stunned commentator: ‘Never woulda’ thought it – Bernie’s back’
His first significant tennis tournament final in six years - saving match points on the way - has prompted a stunned commentator to announce “Bernie’s back!”. FULL STORY