Burnside Heights’ Jenny Hill, speaks Faith Macale about her decade spent dstanding on Taylors Road dressed as Santa to help spread the magic of Christmas.
How did you get started with dressing up as Santa and be on the road saying hi to everyone?
It all started as a bit of fun. It started after dressing up as Santa at the YMCA Kororoit Creek family Christmas celebration, then it became an institution for the wider community. The reactions from motorists and pedestrians alike had me hooked. I was happy making others happy.
What made it last for 10 years?
Being Santa and watching families slow down with windows down pointing out Santa to their children gave me happiness and joy … that it’s OK to believe in the magic of Christmas. It’s just like children believing in the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy. I have no doubt that l have appeared on many social media platforms over the years. I became a local hero
I was going to give it up after a few years, then covid hit. I knew the community needed something to be happy about.
Did the community know that Taylors Road Santa is a woman?
Those in the community who know me knew that this Santa is a woman. Others have no idea. Knowing me is knowing that l have a sense of joy and making others happy.
What made you decide to retire the jolly red suit?
As l am getting older and my children are older, l decided 10 years is long enough. I feel a little sad, but l am 56 years old this year, and my children have grown to adulthood. They have endured 10 years of my shenanigans and we’re often on the nature strip in elf hats supporting me and making sure l was well hydrated and took time to eat my dinner. It’s time to enjoy the quiet life. I won’t lie, l will miss it, a lot. I have received many gifts from lollies, bottles of wine, and l even received $10 from a gentleman clearly over the legal alcohol limit riding a mobility scooter down the road. I tried to give it back, but there was no changing his mind.
What was the most memorable part of being Santa?
The most memorable part was the waves, smiles, honks from cars and pedestrians dropping by for a photo with Santa. I was always happy to oblige. I believe that the community will be sad and questions asked about ‘where is Santa?’ on the local Facebook Burnside Heights Residents Page. I know that there will be people who try to talk me out of retirement.
My message to the community is thank you for the waves, honks, laughs and support. I would be more than happy for someone to pick up where l left off. I am even open to coaching them on how to act when in the Santa suit.
