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GAOL SANTA CLAUS – PENTRIDGE ARREST

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On this day …….. 26th of December 1951

A young man has been charged with breaking into Pentridge gaol. The man was discovered about midday on the 26th of December 1951, in a building In the reformatory section of the gaol. He told warders he was familiar with the layout of the building, because he had recently served a long term there. Early this morning he had climbed over a 20 foot wall surrounding the gaol, and spent the morning distributing Christmas gifts of tobacco and cigarettes to his friends.

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“Santa” At the Lighthouses

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On this day …… 6th January 1930

As soon as the lighthouse steamer Lady Loch comes out of dock, about the Middle of this month, she will set off on her quarterly round of Victorian and Tasmanian lighthouses. ‘All smart and brightly, painted, the little steamer is to play the part of Santa Claus to the lighthouse-keepers’ children. Through the enthusiasm of Miss Alice, of Orrong road, Elsteirnwick, eight cases of books and toys are now waiting at the lighthouse keepers’ office in Willis street to be packed in the Lady Loch’s hold. More than 80 children will participate in the pleasiure of receiving these gifts, many of which have been sent by, Victorian kiddies. Some of the toys will go to Cape Evertard (Vic.), doing the last part of the journey it a horse sledge along the 90-mile beach. Others will be set down at such lonely light houses as Gabo and Cliffy Islands (Vic.). The children of Deal Island, Goose Island, Swan Island, Currie Harbour, and such stations off the Tasmanian coast, will be eagerly watching for the parcels of books and toys that have been sent for several years by the Victorian public. At Cape Otway alone four lighthouse families account for 15 children.

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