Stories : Queensland
The Nature of Christmas - Yuletide at O’Reillys
There are ‘Binna Burra’ and ‘O’Reilly’s’ people. Most of their guests are return visitors and they are very loyal. To go to the ‘opposition’ would no doubt be as rewarding, but it would be like cheating on your partner and, there’s something secure in the knowledge that you will be just as satisfied as the last visit.
I took the family to O’Reilly’s for Christmas 2001, simply because we were ‘on the road’ and the generations of O’Reilly’s welcome guests as extended members of their family. We had Carols by Candlelight, a visit from Santa and a superb Christmas lunch. On Christmas morning the kids, being kids, were up with the sun and birdsong. By 6:00am the floor was strewn with Christmas paper, Lego, Barbie and other assorted goodies – but no children.
I took a cup of tea to the balcony and there they were, below on the lawn, feeding Crimson Parrots. The birds on their hands and shoulders were far more exciting than new toys. For the three days we were there they didn’t miss TV or the Nintendo; they discovered bushwalking, birds, animals, other kids in the Scrub Club and more about themselves.
