Carols by Candlelight
Encyclopedia
Carols by Candlelight is an Australia
n Christmas
tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne
in the 1930s. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park
, to sing carol
s by candlelight, accompanied by a band. Today, the largest such event is held annually at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
in Melbourne's King's Domain Gardens on Christmas Eve
, since 1938, 71 years.
, South Australia
would gather on Christmas Eve to sing carols lit with candles stuck to the brims of their safety hats. The tradition spread through Victoria and Melbourne
until it was popularised in 1938 by Norman Banks
, a radio announcer then with Melbourne radio station 3KZ
. Whilst walking home from his night-time radio shift on Christmas Eve
in 1937, he passed a window and saw inside an elderly woman sitting up in bed, listening to Away in a Manger
being played on the radio and singing along, with her face being lit by candlelight. Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he had the idea to gather a large group of people to all sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. The first ever such event was held in Alexandra Gardens
the following Christmas, 1938, and was attended by around 10,000 people.
Following World War II
, the Carols became so well patronised that the decision was made to move it to the neighbouring park in King's Domain. In 1959, the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl
provided a permanent venue, where they are still held to this day. Funds raised from donations, ticket, and candle sales are given to Vision Australia
(formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, RVIB).
from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
, Australia-wide. The event is also broadcast live to eastern Asia, many Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The event has been hosted for 18 years by Ray Martin
. Because of the arrangement the show often features Nine stars such as Hi-5.
One of the most notable is Carols in the Domain
, held annually in Sydney
.
--Nbvet (talk) 20:57, 24 November 2011 (UTC)
In Geelong, there is Denis Walter
's Carols by the Bay held on the first Saturday of December. This is held at Eastern Beach. There is also Carols in the Park in Johnston Park on Christmas Eve.
In the City of Yarra
a large Carols by Candlelight event has recently been held in the Abbotsford Convent
gardens.
In the City of Manningham
a large Carols by Candlelight event is held annually in Ruffey Lake Park
.
, Carols in the Domain
(broadcast by the Seven Network
) attracts high-profile international performers, and offers free tickets to the live event.
In Brisbane
the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols (Carols in the City
) are held normally the first Saturday in December, at the Brisbane River Stage
in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
.
In Perth
, Carols by Candlelight are held in mid December at the Supreme Court Gardens, while other events are held at Fremantle
, Scarborough
and Rockingham
.
In Adelaide
, Carols by Candlelight is held in the weeks before Christmas in Elder Park
on the banks of the River Torrens
.
In Newcastle, New South Wales
, Carols by Candlelight are held in mid December, both at Speers Point Park on the edge of Lake Macquarie
and at King Edward Park in the city near the beach.
In Hobart
, due to the urban nature of the city, there are three main carols services. One each in Clarence, Glenorchy
and the main ceremony in Sandown Park in Sandy Bay, Hobart
itself.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
tradition that originated in southeastern Australia in the 19th century and was popularised in Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in the 1930s. The tradition has since spread around the world. It involves people gathering, usually outdoors in a park
Park
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
, to sing carol
Christmas carol
A Christmas carol is a carol whose lyrics are on the theme of Christmas or the winter season in general and which are traditionally sung in the period before Christmas.-History:...
s by candlelight, accompanied by a band. Today, the largest such event is held annually at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
in Melbourne's King's Domain Gardens on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
, since 1938, 71 years.
History
One of the earliest forms of Carols by Candlelight began in the 19th century, when Cornish Miners in MoontaMoonta, South Australia
Moonta is a town located on the Yorke Peninsula of South Australia, 165 kilometres north-northwest of the state capital of Adelaide. It is one of three towns known as the Copper Coast or "Little Cornwall" for their shared copper mining history....
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
would gather on Christmas Eve to sing carols lit with candles stuck to the brims of their safety hats. The tradition spread through Victoria and Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
until it was popularised in 1938 by Norman Banks
Norman Banks
Norman Tyrell Banks, MBE was a pioneering radio broadcaster of Australian rules football in Melbourne for over 50 years from the 1930s...
, a radio announcer then with Melbourne radio station 3KZ
3KZ
Gold 104.3 is a radio station broadcasting in Melbourne, Australia. Gold 104.3 is part of the Australian Radio Classic Hits Network and broadcasts on the 104.3 MHz frequency.- History :...
. Whilst walking home from his night-time radio shift on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
in 1937, he passed a window and saw inside an elderly woman sitting up in bed, listening to Away in a Manger
Away in a Manger
"Away in a Manger" is a Christmas carol first published in 1885 in Philadelphia and used widely throughout the English-speaking world. In Britain it is one of the most popular carols, a 1996 Gallup Poll ranking it joint second.-History of the lyrics:...
being played on the radio and singing along, with her face being lit by candlelight. Wondering how many others spent Christmas alone, he had the idea to gather a large group of people to all sing Christmas carols together by candlelight. The first ever such event was held in Alexandra Gardens
Alexandra Gardens, Melbourne
The Alexandra Gardens are located on the south bank of the Yarra River, opposite Federation Square and the Melbourne Central Business District, in Victoria, Australia. The Gardens are bounded by the Yarra River to the north, Princes and Swan street bridges, with Queen Victoria Gardens and Kings...
the following Christmas, 1938, and was attended by around 10,000 people.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Carols became so well patronised that the decision was made to move it to the neighbouring park in King's Domain. In 1959, the newly constructed Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
provided a permanent venue, where they are still held to this day. Funds raised from donations, ticket, and candle sales are given to Vision Australia
Vision Australia
Vision Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and Australia's largest provider of services for people with blindness and low vision.-Vision and Mission:...
(formerly the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind, RVIB).
Broadcast
The program is broadcast live every Christmas Eve by the Nine NetworkNine Network
The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia...
from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is an outdoor performance venue in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is located in the lawns and gardens of Kings Domain, close to the Arts Centre and the Southbank entertainment precinct...
, Australia-wide. The event is also broadcast live to eastern Asia, many Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The event has been hosted for 18 years by Ray Martin
Ray Martin (television presenter)
Raymond George "Ray" Martin AM is an Australian television journalist. He is best known for his various on-air roles on Channel Nine from 1978 to 2008. In 2011 he returned to 60 Minutes....
. Because of the arrangement the show often features Nine stars such as Hi-5.
| Years | Host(s) | Australian TV Network |
|---|---|---|
| 1980–1989 | Brian Naylor Brian Naylor (broadcaster) Brian Naylor was an Australian television presenter, best known for his longstanding stint as chief news presenter at National Nine News Melbourne from 1978 to 1998 and his sign-off line, "May your news be good news, and good-night."His son Matthew was killed in a plane crash at Kinglake, Victoria... |
Nine Network Nine Network The Nine Network , is an Australian television network with headquarters based in Willoughby, a suburb located on the North Shore of Sydney. For 50 years since television's inception in Australia, between 1956 and 2006, it was the most watched television network in Australia... |
| 1990–2007 | Ray Martin Ray Martin (television presenter) Raymond George "Ray" Martin AM is an Australian television journalist. He is best known for his various on-air roles on Channel Nine from 1978 to 2008. In 2011 he returned to 60 Minutes.... |
|
| 2008–present | Karl Stefanovic Karl Stefanovic Karl Stefanovic is an Australian Gold Logie winning television presenter.Stefanovic is currently a co-host of the Nine Network's breakfast program, Today.-Early years:... and Lisa Wilkinson Lisa Wilkinson Lisa Wilkinson is an Australian journalist and television personality.Wilkinson is currently a co-host of the Nine Network's breakfast television program Today.-Career:... |
Events
Similar events are now held all over Australia, usually arranged by churches, municipal councils, or other community groups. They are normally held on Christmas Eve or the Sunday or weekend before Christmas.One of the most notable is Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain is an annual Christmas concert free event held in the Domain Gardens, Sydney, Australia. It began in 1982. It is broadcast around Australia on the Seven Network and simulcast on 101.7 WSFM....
, held annually in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
.
--Nbvet (talk) 20:57, 24 November 2011 (UTC)
In Victoria
In North Balwyn Carols in the Park is held annually. In 2011 it is in Macleay Park on Sunday 11th December. Formerly known as Carols by Candlelight it was held for 22 years in Leigh Park and has been drawing an estimated four to five thousand. The brass band Boroondara Brass leads the Carols with Balwyn Christian Singers. Santa, stunt motorcyclist David Russell, usually lands in on his motorcycle sleigh. Tim Blowfield, Committee, North Balwyn InterChurch Council 2011.In Geelong, there is Denis Walter
Denis Walter
Denis Walter is an Australian media personality and singer.Throughout his music career Walter has recorded 14 albums. For many years until his resignation in November 2008 to join Melbourne radio 3AW full-time, Walter was the host of the evening news in the regional areas of Victoria for WIN TV...
's Carols by the Bay held on the first Saturday of December. This is held at Eastern Beach. There is also Carols in the Park in Johnston Park on Christmas Eve.
In the City of Yarra
City of Yarra
The City of Yarra is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the inner eastern and northern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of 19.5 square kilometres, and at the 2006 census it had a population of 69,330...
a large Carols by Candlelight event has recently been held in the Abbotsford Convent
Abbotsford Convent
The Abbotsford Convent is located in Abbotsford, Victoria, an inner city suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The Convent is in a bend of the Yarra River west of Yarra Bend Park, with the Collingwood Children's Farm to its north and east, the river and parklands to its south and housing to its...
gardens.
In the City of Manningham
City of Manningham
The City of Manningham is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the northeastern suburbs of Melbourne. The total population is 118,544 , divided up into 10 suburbs, the largest being Doncaster and Templestowe, over an area of 113 square kilometres.The district spans a...
a large Carols by Candlelight event is held annually in Ruffey Lake Park
Ruffey Lake Park
Ruffey Lake Park is a park in the City of Manningham, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It is situated around Ruffey Lake in a portion of a valley through which the Ruffey Creek runs, forming the border between Doncaster and Templestowe. It has 3 main entrances, Victoria St, The Boulevard and King St...
.
Around Australia
In SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain
Carols in the Domain is an annual Christmas concert free event held in the Domain Gardens, Sydney, Australia. It began in 1982. It is broadcast around Australia on the Seven Network and simulcast on 101.7 WSFM....
(broadcast by the Seven Network
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
) attracts high-profile international performers, and offers free tickets to the live event.
In Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
the Lord Mayor's Christmas Carols (Carols in the City
Carols in the City
Carols in the City , is an annual free Christmas concert event held at the Brisbane River Stage, in Brisbane, Australia. It is broadcast across Australia through the Nine Network with media partners being The Sunday Mail, 4BC and 4BH...
) are held normally the first Saturday in December, at the Brisbane River Stage
Brisbane River Stage
The Brisbane River Stage is an outdoor entertainment venue located on the Brisbane River, Brisbane, Australia. It has been used by many national and international acts through the years and is also used for annual community carols performances to ‘Sing for Water’ – a fundraising outlet staged as...
in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
Brisbane City Botanic Gardens
The City Botanic Gardens is located on a point known as Gardens Point on the Brisbane River adjacent to the central business district of the city of Brisbane...
.
In Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Carols by Candlelight are held in mid December at the Supreme Court Gardens, while other events are held at Fremantle
Fremantle, Western Australia
Fremantle is a city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan River colonists in 1829...
, Scarborough
Scarborough, Western Australia
Scarborough is a coastal suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located approximately 14 km northwest of the city centre in the local government area of the City of Stirling...
and Rockingham
Rockingham, Western Australia
Rockingham is a suburb and primary centre in Western Australia south-west of the Perth city centre and south of Fremantle. It has a beachside location at Mangles Bay, the southern extremity of Cockburn Sound. To its north stretches the maritime and resource-industry installations of Kwinana and...
.
In Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
, Carols by Candlelight is held in the weeks before Christmas in Elder Park
Elder Park, Adelaide
Elder Park is a public open space in the city of Adelaide, South Australia on the southern bank of the River Torrens and that is bordered by the Adelaide Festival Centre and North Terrace....
on the banks of the River Torrens
River Torrens
The River Torrens is the most significant river of the Adelaide Plains and was one of the reasons for the siting of the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. It flows from its source in the Adelaide Hills near Mount Pleasant, across the Adelaide Plains, past the city centre and empties...
.
In Newcastle, New South Wales
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
, Carols by Candlelight are held in mid December, both at Speers Point Park on the edge of Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie (New South Wales)
Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest coastal salt water lake, covering an area of in the Hunter Region of New South Wales with most of the City of Lake Macquarie's residents living near its shores. It is connected to the Tasman Sea by a short channel. Lake Macquarie is twice as large as Sydney...
and at King Edward Park in the city near the beach.
In Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
, due to the urban nature of the city, there are three main carols services. One each in Clarence, Glenorchy
Glenorchy, Tasmania
Glenorchy is a business district and suburb in the northern part of greater Hobart, capital of the state of Tasmania, Australia. The land was originally used for agriculture but is now a largely suburban, working-class area...
and the main ceremony in Sandown Park in Sandy Bay, Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
itself.
External links
- Vision Australia official site
- Carols by Candlelight had lonely beginning (Includes further information on Norman Banks)