Beaches, barbies and basketball: how we celebrated being free again

The roar of the surf and the promise of sunshine that beckoned millions of Australians back to the beach for the country’s first restriction-free Christmas in two years.

Santa Claus arrives ahead of the Christmas Day NBL clash between the Sydney Kings and Melbourne United. Picture: Getty Images

It was the roar of the surf and the promise of sunshine that beckoned millions of Australians back to the beach for the country’s first restriction-free Christmas in two years, as the nation cast off talk of cases and pandemics and celebrated in true summer style.

After two years of coronavirus restrictions, the majority of Australians celebrated Christmas Day without face masks and social ­distancing, as all the familiar hallmarks of backyard cricket, swimming, BBQs and outdoor lunches were on full display across the ­nation.

Anthony Albanese, who spent the afternoon serving Christmas lunch with Exodus Foundation volunteers in Sydney, acknowledged those Australians who are “doing it tough”, saying it was ­important to live out the Christian values that underpinned the spirit of Christmas.

“Christmas Day can be a day of celebration for people with family and friends. But it can also be a ­really tough time for those who have lost loved ones during the year,” the Prime Minister said in his first Christmas Day address. “If you’re working because you’ve volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians, whether you’re serving lunch to those in need or you’re keeping our beaches safe, I want to express my gratitude and my ­admiration,” he said.

Anthony Albanese, serving lunch on Christmas Day at the Bill Crews Foundation, in Ashfield. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“The same goes to all our ­emergency service workers, and of course all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they’re serving here, or far from home overseas.”

Liberal leader Peter Dutton, who delivered his festive address on Christmas Eve, described 2022 as a “difficult year for Australians” and “the darkest” for those who endured the devastating floods along the east coast. “While we saw off the worst of the pandemic, cost-of-living pressures continue to hurt families and small businesses across the nation,” Mr Dutton said. “Communities will continue to require our ­assistance and government assistance in the coming months and years ahead.”

Mr Dutton also praised the ADF for their service at home and overseas.

Church leaders welcomed more worshippers back to Christmas Day masses and services across the country, after pandemic restrictions cancelled and curtailed attendances in 2021 and 2020.

In Melbourne, Sacred Heart Mission volunteers served up more than 400 meals to the homeless and needy at their first sit-down and in-person festive feast since the pandemic.

The beginning of a summer heatwave over southern Australia brought perfect conditions for much of the country, after temperatures plummeted in eastern Australia in the lead-up to Christmas.

Popular beach destinations swelled with crowds until the early evening, as temperatures reached or surpassed 30C ­in nearly all the nation’s capitals, except Hobart and Sydney. But celebrations were moved indoors across Brisbane after heavy rain pummelled the city just before lunchtime.

The Woolley Family, who had planned to tuck into prawns and ham at New Farm Park, broke into fits of laughter as they were caught in the deluge.

Celebrating Christmas at St Kilda Beach, 2022. Picture: Jason Edwards

“We had an umbrella but it didn’t do very much, we all got soaked but just embraced it,” Portia Woolley, 16, said.

As families limbered up for a festive cricket bash in backyards, parks or beaches, Richard Hutton and friends ignored the rainy conditions, heading to Brisbane’s riverside park. The doctor, 29, from London, who moved to Australia 18-months ago for work, said the rain made it feel “just like home”.

“We were aware there was rain in the area but we decided to hedge our bets because we didn’t want to stay indoors all day,” he said.

Richard Hutton and a group of friends from the UK still happy despite the weather in Brisbane. Photo: Lyndon Mechielsen

As sailors and spectators prepared for this year’s Sydney to Hobart yacht race, basketball fans attended the first NBL Christmas Day clash – held between Sydney Kings and Melbourne United, in a nod to the time-honoured US ­tradition.

The NBL became the first major sport in Australia to play on Christmas Day since a Bob Simpson-led side faced India in a Test cricket match in Adelaide in 1967.

Basketball on Christmas Day is a tradition in the US, and it was an idea of former NBA star Andrew Bogut to test the concept in Australia, with basketball fans at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena enjoying a thrilling contest.