Toowoomba Grand Central’s Christmas tree taken down early
The disappearance of an iconic feature of Toowoomba’s festive season has caused imaginative speculation online. Here is why this much-loved tree had to be returned to its North Pole home:
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Following a number of severe storms, a main Christmas feature in the Toowoomba CBD has disappeared, leaving a number of speculations over why it went missing.
Is this a conspiracy? A war on Christmas? Who has been offended this time?
Keyboard warriors throughout the region have jumped on the disappearance of Grand Central’s Christmas tree, an annual much loved feature which appears at the turn of November and December and is a mainstay for the summer festive season.
Imagination coupled with the a desire to vent on how Christmas ought, or ought not to be celebrated has abounded after the tree’s disappearance was posted on social media.
There were even accusations the city had gone “woke”.
Whether these claims were serious or sarcastic, it opened up accusations of people being offended about Christmas and an extensive debate over how much Christmas has changed over the years.
It is well worth mentioning the incredible Christmas Wonderland in the Botanical Gardens, which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors, and showcases some of the city’s best community entertainment, from orchestras to dances, and even offers free doughnuts on occasion.
But the one unlucky victim in this round of online vitriol was Toowoomba Regional Council, who was blamed for cancelling Christmas.
The Chronicle can confirm that Toowoomba Regional Council has nothing to do with requests to Santa for the appearance, or disappearance, of the tree.
That comes down to Grand Central’s management.
Centre manager Tracey Ford said unfortunately this year, they had to get the shopping centre’s Christmas elves to take down the outdoor Christmas tree a little earlier and return it to Santa’s Workshop.
“Due to the recent inclement and wild weather the tree is needing some tender, love and care; and the best place for this is back at the North Pole,” she said.
“Customers are welcome to view all of the indoor Christmas trees and, of course, Santa’s Bauble for the rest of the festive season.”
She said there was still plenty of festive spirit inside the centre.
The Christmas elves took down the tree on Monday due to mounting safety issues associated with the ongoing wild weather.
It came only days before a number of severe storms hit the region and heavy rain resulted in flash flooding, power lines down, and a car rescue.
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