2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant, audio described broadcast

Episode Transcript
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S1 (00:13):
It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. Everyone in Adelaide,
welcome to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description. Broadcast
on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide, 1190 7 a.m.
and 101.5 FM VA Iris and Radio Adelaide on digital
and online at VA radio, Radio Adelaide and through the

(00:37):
Community Radio app. I'm Matt Bell, thank you very much
for joining me. I'm also joined by a wonderful audio describer.
Presenters Carrie Sealy and Meg Riley. Welcome both.

S2 (00:46):
Thank you. Thank you so much.

S1 (00:48):
It's a fantastic atmosphere out here on the streets of Adelaide.
We are very lucky to be supported. Thank you very much.
To the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service. We're broadcasting live
from the second floor balcony of the Wakefield Street fire
station right here in Adelaide. We have a wonderful view
looking out over the street right now, and there is
so much activity going on. We've got families, we've got

(01:11):
everyone gathering, We've got a wonderful vantage point over to
the Access to Arts Audio Description point as well. It's
a fantastic atmosphere out here right now. There'll be over
300,000 people joining us on the streets today to watch
the pageant come through, make its way all the way
from South Terrace along King William Street to Victoria Square,

(01:32):
making a right up Wakefield Street, then along Pulteney Street,
turning back down North Terrace along through the museum precinct,
before finally making a final turn down onto King William
Street again and finishing by Beehive Corner. Father Christmas, our
very special guest who's visiting Adelaide today for the Adelaide
Christmas Pageant. He will be meeting wonderful crowds at about

(01:53):
1130 down at Gawler Place. Um, there's a lot of
people that make the pageant happen, and obviously it's important
to acknowledge access to Arts Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide,
as well as the support from the South Australian Metropolitan
Fire Service, the South Australian Tourism Commission and the Lions
Club and the of the City of Adelaide. I believe

(02:15):
that this is the first year, Meg, that your audio
describing the pageant. How are you feeling about this morning?

S2 (02:20):
I'm excited.

S1 (02:21):
Fantastic. And Carrie, I know that I believe you are
a seasoned, uh, audio describer of the pageant. What pageant
number is this for you?

S3 (02:28):
Yeah, I think this is number four. 3 or 4.
I you lose count because every day, every time pageant
day comes around, it's just so exciting. You forget the
years before and just really revel in the excitement, the color,
the movement. I cannot wait.

S1 (02:42):
There is so much color, movement and excitement, isn't there, Carrie?
It's just fantastic looking on, just seeing so many happy
faces when I was making my way in this morning.
There is just so much happiness and joy out there
on the streets. And I must admit this is a
little bit different for me. This is my first time
on the audio described broadcast. Usually I'm actually down there.
So last year I was very lucky to have the
opportunity to be a clown, making my way around the

(03:04):
streets and creating mischief. Um, it was a little bit
more of an uncivil start time. It was a 6:00
start last time, so this morning start time is a
little bit more civil, but.

S3 (03:13):
We'll be able to get the lowdown as to what
it's like for a clown and clown school and all that.

S1 (03:17):
It certainly.

S3 (03:18):
Will. Matt, we want to ask those questions, the hard questions.

S1 (03:21):
I can only share some secrets. I can't let you
in on everything, but fair enough. There are plenty of
secrets to be shared.

S3 (03:26):
But look what happens on the pageant stage.

S1 (03:28):
Stays on the pageant. Exactly. Kari. Exactly. Um, look, I mean,
there's just so much joy on pageant morning. As I say,
for those who are making the pageant happen, it's a
very early start. That being said, it all goes on
for months. There is months of planning that leads up
to pageant day. Um, there are many, many people who

(03:48):
make this happen from Stardust Castle who organize all the floats,
get everything together. Kari. As you said, there's also clown
school as well. And I've had the joy of going
through that two times now. Um, so I'm well educated
on being a clown, which is good. Um, but it does.
There's a lot of work that goes into the lead
up to it, practicing routines. If you're on a float,
getting fitting so that you're making sure your uniform, your

(04:10):
your costume for the day fits well, there's 3000 over
3000 costumes, I should say, out there as well, and
more than 300 clowns and elves. So just to give
you an idea of the number of people that make
today happen, it is quite magical. It is an early start,
as I said, for clowns. They're out there at the
Pulteney Grammar School at 6:00, getting ready, um, making sure

(04:30):
practicing their final routines so that they're all ready to
go for pageant day itself. And then once they're by
their float, final practice happens. And then at about 930
when the whistle goes off, it's just energy central and
it's an excitement for 45 minutes.

S3 (04:46):
Matt, there's actually someone else here who with us that
we haven't heard from yet, who has also been in
the pageant and has actually danced the whole five days.
It's probably six and a half by the time you
got there. With all the dancing, you might like to
ask a certain somebody, um, nudge nudge wink wink in
case they're up for sharing that too.

S1 (05:07):
We might, we might, we might. When I get back
on back young from access to us on in a second.

S3 (05:12):
I can neither confirm nor deny that it was back.

S1 (05:16):
I think we've just confirmed that to everyone that it is.
Pull back. We'll we've dobbed her in later on to
give a little bit of a spill about that. But
you know, the 45 minutes and the three and 3
or 4 case of dancing, jumping, running, creating a muck
on the pageant route, it really doesn't feel like a
long time when you're out there. It's just it goes
so very quickly. Um, but the amount of joy and

(05:37):
the smile on the faces that you see is just fantastic.
We are going to keep on bringing in the Christmas spirit.
We're going to cut to a quick song. We're going
to cut to Human Nature featuring Jessica mauboy with Sleigh Ride.
You are listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description.
Broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide.

S4 (06:07):
Ring a ring a ring a ding dong ding. Ring
a ding a ding a ding dong ding dong.

S5 (06:16):
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling. Ring. Ting ting a ling.

S4 (06:20):
Ting ting a ling a ling. Ding ding dong ding dong.

S5 (06:22):
It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you outside.

S4 (06:28):
The snow is falling. And friends are calling you. Come on.
It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you. Oh,
ring a ling a ling a ding dong.

S5 (06:40):
Ding ding.

S4 (06:42):
Dong. Oh, yeah.

S5 (06:43):
Oh.

S4 (06:48):
Our cheeks are nice and cozy and comfy. Cozy. Are
we snuggled up together like two birds of a feather
would be.

S5 (06:58):
Let's take that road before us and sing the chorus
or two.

S4 (07:04):
Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together
with you.

S5 (07:10):
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up. Let's go. Let's look
at the show. We're riding in a wonderland of snow.

S6 (07:20):
Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up. It's grand. Just holding
your hand. We're riding along with a song. In this
wintery wonderland.

S5 (07:31):
We're riding along with song of a wintery fairyland.

S4 (07:38):
Sleigh ride baby.

S5 (07:43):
Oh.

S4 (07:46):
Oh yeah.

S7 (07:51):
Yeah, yeah.

S4 (07:53):
Just hear the bells ringing. Ding a ling ding a
ding a ding dong ding ding ding ding a ding dong.
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah. Yeah. Just in the sleigh
bells ring. Ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding
ding ding. Come on. It's lovely weather for a sleigh

(08:17):
ride together with you. Inside the snow is falling. And friends,
I'm calling you. Come on. It's lovely weather for a
sleigh ride together with you. I said it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you. Yeah, I'm with you.
Together with you. Together with you, with you, with you,

(08:41):
with you.

S1 (08:48):
That Was Human Nature featuring Jessica mauboy. With Sleigh Ride.
It is currently 9:08. You are listening to the 2025
Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast on Vision Australia Radio
and Radio Adelaide. Well, the energy is just pumping up
here and we've actually got a very special guest. We
are joined now by Bec Young, the chief executive of

(09:10):
Access to Arts and a wonderful supporter of this great
event today. Bec, thank you very much for joining us.

S2 (09:16):
Good morning and happy pageant day. Thanks for having us.

S1 (09:19):
Well, it is a very happy pageant day. Now, Bec,
for some of our listeners who aren't quite as familiar
with access to arts, can you tell us a little
bit more about your organisation and what you do?

S2 (09:27):
Absolutely. Access to Arts is a South Australian peak body
for disability arts. We work in a few different ways,
so we do a lot of work with arts organisations
to help them become more inclusive and accessible. We work
with professional disabled artists on their practice. Um, one of
our specialities is audio description. Um, so we do a
lot of audio description for visual arts, theatre, live performance, um,

(09:50):
and we also train audio describers. So we've been in
the audio description game since about 2012. Uh, and it's
a really important part of the work that we do,
and we love it.

S1 (10:01):
And so Becky touched on some of the things you do,
but can you tell us a little bit more about
some of the festivals and events that you support around Adelaide?

S2 (10:07):
Absolutely. Well, Adelaide being the festival city, we work with
a lot of festivals around the place. Um, we have
great partnerships with festivals like Adelaide Fringe, uh, we work
with Illuminate Adelaide. We've done some really great access work
with them this year and we run free audio, described
tours of the City Lights installations down North Terrace every year,
which is really great fun. Um, so we work with

(10:30):
most of the festivals across the state, um, helping them
become more inclusive and accessible.

S1 (10:35):
And I guess, bec what's been the most rewarding thing
that you've had the opportunity to be a part of
since joining Access to Arts?

S2 (10:40):
Oh, look, every day is a new adventure and access
to art. So we, uh, really love all of the
wide and varied things we do. Um, but, you know,
pageant day is something that is always special in my heart.
and I think it's such an important part of every
Adelaide family's growing up story.

S1 (10:58):
It certainly is. Now, you've mentioned you've also got the
Access to Arts team out there today on the pageant route.
Can you tell us a little bit more about those
who want to join on to the audio description out
there on the pageant route today?

S2 (11:09):
Absolutely. So we have a little community site straight out
the front of where we're describing today at the fire station.
So it's really fantastic. We, uh, sent out some invitations through, um,
the South Australian School for Vision Impaired. So savvy and
through our other audio description communities to invite people to
come and sit and experience the atmosphere of the pageant,

(11:31):
but with live audio description. So the best of both worlds.

S1 (11:34):
Fantastic. And as well, the Lions Club of the City
of Adelaide is a big supporter of this event as well.
Can you tell us a little bit more about their
support and how that makes that possible today?

S2 (11:43):
Absolutely. We're really thrilled that they've come on this year
to support the pageant. Um, so Lions Club of the
City of Adelaide is one of the oldest and most
active service clubs in South Australia, and they were established
as the first Lions Club in 1961. Um, so they're
part of Lions International, which is a really large service
organisation with over 1.4 million members. Um, and they're really

(12:06):
members from all sorts of communities and different walks of life.
They're really diverse group of people. Um, but they're really
passionate about inclusivity and family friendliness. Um, and vision is
a big thing for Lions Club. So they support a
lot of things around, um, vision and hearing programs. So
we are absolutely thrilled that they were able to support

(12:28):
us this year to make sure that this wonderful event
could go ahead.

S1 (12:32):
That's fantastic. And a big thank you to the Lions
Club of the City of Adelaide for their support today. Uh,
bec obviously the pageants are a lot of work for
access to arts. Is there anything exciting coming up in
the program that we should keep an eye out for?
From Access to Arts in the coming weeks and over
into the new year?

S2 (12:47):
Look we are gearing up for festival season at the moment. Uh, so, uh,
we will be delivering audio description for a range of
different things over the festival. Um, as well as working
with them on a range of other accessible things. So
definitely stay tuned for some, uh, great things like the

(13:07):
opening night concert for Adelaide Festival, um, the First Nations
cultural tours for fringe. There'll be lots of, uh, really
incredible events coming up in early in the new year. Um,
hopefully December will be a little bit quieter for us
because it's been a really big few months with Ozasia Festival, um,
on the terrace with chamber music. So, so many great events, uh,

(13:28):
over the last few weeks that I think we're all
a little bit ready after pageant to take a big breath.

S1 (13:33):
You really have been busy. That is quite a list
in the last few weeks that you've been involved with.
So for those who are really keen to find out more,
what's the best way that they can find out more
about access to arts and how they can get involved.

S2 (13:43):
The best way is probably to come through the website,
which is access to arts with the number two. Um,
there's a really easy function on there. To sign up
for our newsletters. We send out a newsletter every month
with all of the different audio described and accessible events
happening around Adelaide, as well as things like opportunities for artists. Um,
and you can always give us a call if you

(14:03):
need to.

S1 (14:05):
No worries. Well, again, that was chief executive of Access
to Arts Bet. Young Beck, thank you so much for
joining us. And thank you for access to art support
for today. It's fantastic to have your support in making
this wonderful broadcast.

S2 (14:16):
We're thrilled to partner.

S1 (14:17):
Fantastic. It is almost it's coming up to 9:15. You
are listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description
broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. Meg Carey.
The the excitement is palpable, isn't it? Tell us what's
going on, Meg, what can you say at the moment that, uh,
is going on on the street in front of us
on Wakefield Street?

S8 (14:37):
Oh, there's loads of families all gathered together. There are
lots of kids drawing on the parade route with chalk.
So lots of fun little messages and little pictures coming up.

S3 (14:47):
Um, I love that there are families that are dressed
in matching shirts. So you see dad, mum and all
the kids in matching shirts. And on pageant day, it's
really important to not lose your kids. But if you do,
they're probably sitting right at the front, right beside that
blue line. Of course, that blue line has been just
an honor line. It's really a very special thing that

(15:07):
is unique to the Adelaide Christmas pageant. So other pageants
around the world, they have barricades and people can't get close.
But here, as you said, Meg, those kids at the
moment are down on the road drawing with chalk, and
there's a hopscotch game down there as well. And I
can see, um, lots of kids have Christmas hats on
in the colours of the main sponsor, which is great.

(15:29):
But then there are others. I've seen kids with reindeer antlers, um,
some with some amazing elf socks, which I, you know,
if anyone's listening, that needs to get me a Christmas present. Uh,
that could go to the top of the list, I think.
And there are people who've camped out overnight as well.

S1 (15:45):
It is amazing if you ever, if you ever happen
to be, um, coming home from dinner on a Friday night,
the Friday eve before pageant, there are some very dedicated
people who make sure they're in their same spot every year.
They camp out overnight. It is quite incredible. Rain, hail, shine,
whatever the weather. They camp out overnight to make sure
that they get the best vantage point. It's that is

(16:07):
that is the spirit of Christmas and that is the
spirit of the pageant here at Adelaide. It is a
very special thing that we have in Adelaide, the biggest
street parade in the Southern hemisphere. I think it might
even be the second biggest in the world. It is very,
very special what we have here in Adelaide, the 93rd edition,
I should say, of the Christmas pageant as well. So this,
this wonderful street theatre has been around since 1933. It

(16:30):
started a lot smaller. It was only a handful of
floats initially. And it's it's got bigger every year since.
And now we have the wonderful pageant that we have
this year with 85 floats. We've got three new floats
this year Magic Fairyland, my Pet Dragon, 12 Days of Christmas,
Meg Curry. Any particular floats that you particularly like on
the list? Or ones that you particularly stand out by

(16:52):
any chance?

S3 (16:52):
Oh, just all of them. Just all of them. Um,
one thing I love about the pageant is that there is.
For a long time, there was no nativity scene, and
that was because the person who started the pageant wanted
it just to be all of the beautiful fairy stories
and imaginary stories, and he felt that the nativity scene
or the nativity story was actually true, and he didn't

(17:15):
want to mix it with fantasy, which was an interesting approach.
These days, I'm delighted to see that we have a
nativity scene, and I believe there are some live animals
we'll be describing as well.

S1 (17:27):
Wow. Okay, Meg, any particular float that stands out to
you or any particular favourites?

S8 (17:32):
I think when I was a kid, I always wanted
to be one of those lucky kids riding Nipper or Nimble.

S3 (17:36):
Of course.

S1 (17:37):
Yes.

S3 (17:38):
Yes.

S1 (17:38):
Of course. Oh, one of those lucky ones on the
very last flight with Father Christmas as well, being one
of the first people to see him come into Adelaide
as well. Um, look, I've actually been on, uh, let's
just say not too much of a pageant veteran, but
been around a little bit of the pageant a few times.
I've been down counting down to Christmas, which was a wonderful.
I was dressed up as an elf that year, a
lot of energy making my way through the streets. Of course,

(18:00):
there's Bruto, which is wonderful with that wonderful pink fluffiness.
Lots of excitement.

S3 (18:05):
And that was actually designed by Dave Blight, who has
designed a number of the floats in many pageants. And
he's an incredible artist, a painter. He's put paintings into
the Archibald. And just by the way, he's the harmonica
player for Cold Chisel.

S1 (18:21):
There you go. I never knew that. You learn something
every day. Well, we're coming up to 9:20 here on
Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. This is the 2025
Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast. We're going to quickly
go to another song. We're going to go to see
a candy cane Lane?

S4 (18:48):
Take a trip down Candy Cane Lane with me. It's
the cutest thing I swear you'll ever see. It's the best.
So get dressed. I'll impress you with the colors of
the rainbow. Drink a drop down candy Cane Lane with me.
It's so magical. And it's down there in your dreams.

(19:09):
It's so bad. So get dressed. I'll impress you with
the lighting on the window. Red and yellow and pink
and green. Orange and purple and blue. Christmas is waiting
for you. Christmas is waiting for you. Red and yellow

(19:33):
and pink and Can bring orange and purple and blue.
Christmas is waiting for you. Christmas is waiting for you.
Candy Cane Lane, bring a friend this holiday. Bring a
friend who loves to play. We'll eat all the candy canes. Oh,

(19:54):
candy cane and bring a friend. Holiday. Bring a friend
who love to play. We'll eat all the candy canes.
Candy canes? Well, we can again. Take a trip down

(20:18):
Candy Cane Lane with me. I'll call Rudolph down to
meet us in the street. We can dance, we can play.
There's no can. Cause here everything is possible. Take a
trip down Candy Cane Lane with me. Let's get Santa
out and get him on his feet. We can dance.

(20:39):
Holding hands ain't no can. Cause here everything is possible.
Red and yellow and pink and green. Orange and purple
and blue. Christmas is waiting for you. Christmas is waiting
for you. Red and yellow and pink and green. Orange

(21:04):
and purple and blue. Christmas is waiting for you. Christmas
is waiting for you. Candy Cane Lane. Bring a friend
this holiday. Bring a friend who loves to play. We'll
eat all the candy canes. Oh, candy cane and bring
a friend this holiday. Bring a friend who love to play.

(21:27):
Will eat all the candy canes. Candy Became. Well, again. Again.

S9 (21:58):
See ya.

S1 (22:01):
That was Sia with Candy Cane Lane. You are listening
to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast on
Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. Well, we are getting
closer and closer to the Golden whistle at 930 everyone,
and it's currently 9:22. But before we move, before we
get ever closer to that, we do have to say
farewell to a very, very good supporter. Bec young is

(22:24):
just about to pop downstairs now, but Bec, just any
closing remarks you want to make before you have to
leave us.

S2 (22:29):
I'm very thrilled to have the broadcast happening. Um, but
if you do want to hear more from Access to Arts,
we do chat to our very best friend, Peter Greco. Uh,
every second Wednesday night on Focal Point at 7:15 p.m..
So if you love our dulcet tones, then please tune
in to Peter's show to hear more about what we're
doing at Access to Arts.

S1 (22:50):
Beck, thank you so much and thank you to Access
to Arts for supporting that wonderful, this wonderful event. That
was Beck Young, chief executive of Access to Arts. And
it is 9:22 here on Vision Australia Radio and Radio
Adelaide for the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description. Broadcast. Well,
we've got a quick sponsor message and we'll be back
in a second.

S10 (23:11):
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(23:33):
improve wellbeing. Visit Carer Gateway or call one 804 2737.
To find out more.

S1 (23:42):
You are listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio
description broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. The
energy is building right now. In the streets we can
see the streets are covered in chalk where we are
broadcasting from live on the second floor balcony of the
Wakefield Street Fire Station here in Adelaide. There is some
fantastic artwork. I could not match that with my art skills.

(24:04):
I can see some fantastic Christmas trees drawn on the
street car. Do you want to describe what you're seeing
out there with some of those chalk drawings?

S3 (24:12):
Not only the chalk drawings, but every now and then
with this breeze wafting down Wakefield Street, we have a
flurry of beautiful rainbow coloured bubbles flying past and a
few even pop into the balcony here at the MFS
to say g'day and then burst. But it is just
a really beautiful party atmosphere. There's a lovely a lovely
sense that of anticipation is building families. As you said before,

(24:35):
Matt have found their spot right along that blue line.
They've got their picnic rugs, they've got their cushions, they've
got their snacks, they've got their their Christmas hats. And yes,
down on the road we've got the chalk drawings. I
think it's one of the only times every year that
kids are allowed to run around on the road, because
it's all completely clear and fine for the kids to

(24:55):
do that and get some of their nervous energy out
before those floats start to appear. Matt, you asked earlier
about the floats and we've got three new floats this year.
The road train is coming through town, which is very exciting. Wow. Uh,
we also have a unicorn and a brand new flying dragon.
Dragons seem to appear a little every now and then

(25:17):
in the Christmas pageant, but we've got a brand new
one that actually flies the whole route. So very exciting,
lots of colour and movement as people are settling in.
As you said, we're about to start. We'll be hearing
some of that broadcast from the beginning of the pageant soon, but, um,
people are just finding their spots, getting some of their
nervous energy out. Uh, what have we got? We've got, um,

(25:40):
a mum and son playing hopscotch down in front of us. Uh,
we've got. Oh, I can hear something. Really?

S1 (25:46):
I think I can, too. I think we're just going
to cut over to some live audio. This is the.
Welcome to country.

S11 (26:23):
There are a lot of people running. Around here. On

(26:45):
the other. Hand in hand with the umbrellas we all

(27:06):
know we all want. To get the car. And. At. The. Okay.

(27:32):
Thank you so much. That's beautiful.

S1 (27:35):
That was a welcome to country. You are listening to
the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast on Vision
Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. You can listen to us
on 1190 7 a.m. 101.5 FM via var Iris and
the Radio and Radio Adelaide on digital. But if you
are on the go, you can also listen to us
online through the Community Radio Plus app. And you can

(27:57):
also listen to us at Radio and Radio Adelaide. It
is currently 9:27, which means that Mr. Pageant and Brian
Gilbertson is about two and a half, three minutes away
from blowing that with that whistle to get the pageant started.
So the energy is absolutely palpable. I can feel it. Meg,
can you feel the energy right now?

S8 (28:16):
I can feel it.

S1 (28:17):
Carrie, can you feel the energy right now?

S3 (28:19):
Oh, absolutely. You know, Matt, one of the things you
must have. Oh, we've got the Australian anthem.

S1 (28:24):
National anthem?

S11 (28:31):
Well. It seems that the pounding rain is all music
written in his face last night. What was your name?

(28:54):
In joyful strains. And let us sing Advance Australia. Amazing.

S1 (29:05):
That was the national anthem. And we're getting ever so
close to pageant start. Ever so close, everyone. We're less
than a minute away now. It is 9:29. We are
less than a minute away from the pageant, starting at
South Terrace and making its way through to us here
at Wakefield Street. We've got an extra ten minutes to
build up the excitement and joy for us to get
to us before we get to see it, but there'll

(29:27):
be some families right now very, very excited on King
William Street, about to see the whistle being blown. So
everyone get ready for the countdown. We'll count you in
when it comes. All right. We're getting ever so close.
Can you feel the energy? I can feel the energy.
Right now I'm seeing the bubbles flying up. We've just
been joined by some more bubbles flying into our little
spot up here on the broadcast.

S3 (29:48):
And, Matt, I can see some families. Not only are
they in Christmas shirts, they're in those really kitsch Christmas jumpers. Um,
there's a lot of fashion rules being broken today, and
we don't care anything. Christmas goes. Really, I love it.

S1 (30:01):
Oh, look, I've got the socks on. I think we've
all got. Has everyone got the.

S3 (30:04):
Christmas.

S1 (30:04):
Socks on up here in the broadcast booth? Well, I
think we've, I think we're all bringing the Christmas spirit.
Here we go, everyone. I think the countdown's about to
start for the whistle.

S11 (30:20):
Once again for your day. Everyone in King William Street
in Victoria Square and one street and North Terrace and
Rundle Mall. Have a wonderful day, everybody. How far have
we got to go? And what begin? Are we ready

(30:43):
for downtown?

S3 (30:47):
Hamleys are scurrying, getting their place.

S11 (30:53):
Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.

S1 (31:05):
That is the whistle. Everyone we are. Go on. The
93rd edition of the Christmas pageant. The The 2025 Adelaide
Christmas Pageant. We are go right now. The first float
is making its way. The Blue light vehicle and the
South Australia Police mount are both making their way now
from South Terrace down King William Street towards us. We've
got a few more minutes until we see it. So

(31:27):
we are. The excitement is just building right now. We're
going to cut to a quick station sponsor, and we'll
be back in a moment.

S12 (31:34):
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Library member, you can request up to 360 pages to
be converted to Braille, audio, large print or etext per
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(31:57):
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Shop online at Vision Store. Com.au or call one 308
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S1 (32:31):
Welcome back to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description
broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. I'm Matt
Bell and joined today with our two wonderful audio describers,
Carrie Sealy and Meg Riley. Well, the pageant has kicked off.
We've had the golden whistle blown by Mr. Pageant, Brian Gilbertson,
and it is slowly making its way towards us here

(32:53):
on Wakefield Street. We are broadcasting live from the second
floor balcony of Wakefield, of the Wakefield Street Fire Station,
right here in the Adelaide city centre. Now everyone, I
know the excitement is very much you want to jump
out and get in front of the parade, but everyone
makes sure you remain behind the Blue Honor line, particularly
when it comes past where we're having the pageant coming

(33:15):
through very, very shortly.

S3 (33:18):
As you say, um, the kids are out on the
road at the moment. I see someone, you know, you
can do snow angels in the snow. There's a little
kid lying flat on the road and dad is drawing
around them. Um, so yes, they'll be able to come
back and visit that because it's right in the middle
of a pedestrian crosswalk. They can come back probably tomorrow
and see where they've drawn that. Um, but we do have,

(33:39):
as you say, the blue light vehicle will come through, um,
sirens blaring, lights flashing. And that's the point where everybody
here in front of the Wakefield Metropolitan Fire Station needs
to get back behind the blue line. But for now,
there's a little bit of freedom up at this point
of the pageant.

S1 (33:56):
You're very right there, Carrie and Meg. What are you
seeing out there at the moment? Anything in particular? I
see someone doing handstands right now down the pageant route.

S8 (34:03):
A few kids getting their last cartwheels in before the
parade comes down the street. That's very fun. A little,
maybe a mini Mrs. Claus doing cartwheels across the road.

S3 (34:14):
Do you think they're a future clown or elf?

S1 (34:16):
Oh, look, I think they've got potential. We'll put them
through clown school and we'll see if they can last.
The hard graft of clown school.

S3 (34:21):
I tell you, I wonder how many of the elves
and clowns really sparked their imagination to be part of
the pageant by coming to the pageant as a little kid?

S1 (34:29):
Well, Carrie, unfortunately, I haven't grown much from my young
days when I was probably on my dad's shoulders. I'm
still quite short, but, um, look, let me tell you,
the energy and the enthusiasm was building from that day,
and it's moved on ever since then. And, uh, as
I say, at clown school, I was probably a little
misbehaved and a little bit unruly at clown school, letting
that energy out again and finding that inner youth. But
there is just so much fun to be had on

(34:50):
pageant day. And it is you find that inner, that
inner fun that you had when you first saw the
pageant come past. That energy stays with you to the
day and it just continues on. And we see that today.
All the families out there, everyone. The smiles on their
faces and the joy that this is bringing to them.
We are creeping ever so close. It's currently 26 to

(35:10):
10 here on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide on
the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. We're going to quickly cut
to Paul Kelly How to make Gravy, and then we
will probably be back almost then with the start of
the audio description.

S15 (35:47):
Hello Dan, it's Joe here. I hope you're all keeping well.
It's the 21st of December. Now they're ringing the last bell.

(36:09):
If I get good behavior. I'll be out of here
by July. Why won't you kiss my kids on Christmas Day?
Please don't let them cry for me. I guess the

(36:41):
brothers are driving down from Queensland. And Stella's flying in
from the coast. They say it's gonna be 100 degrees.
Even more. Maybe, but that won't stop the road. Who's

(37:02):
gonna make the gravy now? I bet it won't taste
the same. Just that flour. Saw a little red wine.
Don't forget a dollop of tomato sauce for sweetness and
that extra tang. And give my love to Angus and

(37:22):
to Frank and darling. Tell em all I'm sorry I
screwed up this time. And look after Rita. I'll be
thinking of her early Christmas morning when I'm standing in line.

(37:52):
I hear Mary's got a new boyfriend. I hope he
can hold his own. Do you remember the last one?
What was his name again? Just a little too much Cologne. And, Roger,

(38:13):
you know, I'm even gonna miss Roger, cause they're sure
as hell no one in here I wanna fight. I'll
praise the baby Jesus. Have a merry Christmas. I'm really
gonna miss it. All the treasure and the trash. And
later in the evening, I can just imagine. You put

(38:36):
on June your muffin and put your tables back. And
you dance with Rita. I know you really like her.
Just don't hold her too close. Oh, brother, please don't
stab me in the back. I didn't mean to say that.
It's just a mind to praise us. I multiply. This

(38:57):
matter turns imagination into fact. No love forbade me. She's
the one to save me. I'm gonna make some gravy.
I'm gonna taste the air. I'll tell her that I'm sorry. Yeah.
Love for badly. Tell em all I'm sorry. And kiss

(39:18):
the sleeping children for me. You know, one of these
days I'll be making gravy. I'll be making plenty. I'm
gonna play em all back. Yeah.

S1 (39:44):
That was Paul Kelly with How to Make Gravy. There
was a little bit of debate up here, actually, whether
or not we've played that too early. I think how
to make gravy days the 21st of December. So he
might have been a little bit early, but that's Paul Kelly.
How to make gravy. You are listening to the 2025
and Radio Adelaide. Now a broadcast like this is not

(40:06):
possible without a wonderful supporters and this broadcast is a
partnership between Access to Arts, Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide,
with support from the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service, the
South Australian Tourism Commission and the Lions Club of the
City of Adelaide. We are broadcasting live from the second
floor balcony of the Wakefield Street Fire station, and we're

(40:27):
getting ever so close to the pageant making its way
down Wakefield Street. Now a pageant is impossible with all
the costumes that come with it. There's over 3000 costumes
out there today. Now, Megan Carey, can you imagine how
hard it must be to clean up all these costumes?
Do we know how many litres of dishwashing liquid it
takes to clean up all of these costumes?

S3 (40:46):
I think Meg's got some stats on that for us.

S8 (40:50):
Fun fact from the week after pageant until Christmas Eve.
3000 pieces of costume are washed, dried and ironed and
placed in plastic bags for storage in readiness for the
next pageant. It's 50l of washing liquid, 18 cans of starch,
six bottles of bleach and 400l of distilled water to
wash them.

S1 (41:09):
I don't know about you guys, but doing the ironing
on Sunday before work is a real frustration. So, uh,
doing that much ironing before, uh, before Christmas Eve is
certainly a lot of work, that's for sure.

S3 (41:19):
Meg and I have actually had a tour of Stardust
Castle and saw all of those uniforms as just incredible.
And as a clown. You mentioned you had to go
to clown school, but also costume fitting.

S1 (41:30):
I have. I was about to say what happens in
Stardust Castle stays in Stardust Castle. But no, I have
been for I have been for a fitting at Stardust Castle.
I've been. I've had elf costumes. I've had clown costumes. Um,
I've been through the joy, and it's quite. It's very secretive.
You phones are away. You're not allowed to have your
phones out. They want to keep everything very, very secretive.

S3 (41:50):
There's a couple of little girls sisters in rainbow tutus
with little rainbow fairy wings behind them. It's just gorgeous.
They've found mum and their brother, and they're getting ready
to find their spot up by the blue line. We've
got a couple of South Australian police on bikes, the
bike crew coming through, just making sure the kids are
moving behind the line and making sure everybody's safe. You know,

(42:12):
not only is it all of the floats and the
costumes and the clown school, but on pageant day, there
are a raft of services and organisations that support the
public coming up. Because we mentioned before, some families come
and pop up beach shelters and camp out overnight to
get their favourite spot. So what do you do when
you're feeling a bit peckish? At 6:00 in the morning,

(42:33):
you go find a sausage sizzle, and there are lots
of them around the pageant route for families to get
snacks and coffees and things. But there's also scouts down
at South Terrace, and they feed all of the clowns
and elves.

S1 (42:47):
They certainly do Curry I've had the I've had I've
been able to enjoy one of their wonderful fry ups,
their wonderful barbecues just before a pageant. You don't want
to have too much. Otherwise you won't be able to
jump up and down too much and have too much
energy on your way around.

S3 (42:58):
Just enough to keep you going.

S1 (42:59):
And for those who are at the audio described section
here for access to arts as well, there's actually the
Scouts also have a little hut just down at the
front of the cathedral, down by Victoria Square as well.
And that was a rather alluring smell. I might have
had breakfast, but I was almost tempted to have a
second breakfast. Walking past the smell was just absolutely delicious.

S3 (43:17):
Oh that's.

S1 (43:17):
Great.

S3 (43:18):
And we've got some little kids out the front. They
have written Christmas Pageant 2025 on the road in chalk,
and now someone else has drawn an elf, and there's
somebody else out the front who has drawn in chalk
on the road, a big fire truck. Can you see
that one down there? Even with the fire truck ladder
is up and a couple of lights on top. So
kids are certainly having a lot of fun today.

S1 (43:39):
And Carrie, you can actually come. There's the Metropolitan Fire
Service has actually parked a few of their appliances out
the front of the fire station here on Wakefield Street.
So if you're patient, you queue up. A few of
our wonderful firefighters will show you through the appliances that
are parked out here on Wakefield Street, so you can
see what it's like to be a firefighter in the
fantastic work that they do. And thank you again to

(44:00):
the Metropolitan Fire Service for hosting us today up here
on their balcony so we can broadcast the pageant to you.
So thank you for their support. So if you are
out there on the pageant today, do make your way
down here to Wakefield Street and you can pop and
see a fire appliance as well. We will also say
a thank you to SA police and all of the
volunteers who are helping keep us safe and make this

(44:21):
event possible as well. We see, we do. We have
seen some of the police on bicycles riding past carrier Meg,
making sure that everyone's ready because the pageant is nearly here.
It's it's made its way down King William Street and
it looks like it's very, very close. Meg.

S8 (44:38):
Yep. There's another police officer walking down now in dark
uniform with a bright yellow vest, making sure that everyone
staying behind the line. So maybe some people are getting
told off a little bit.

S1 (44:48):
I think.

S3 (44:49):
Just encouraged. Encouraged to sit behind the line.

S1 (44:52):
Not told off, not told off. We're seeing some people
who might be straying across the blue line. Make sure
you stay behind the blue line. There's a few people
who are being mischievous and crossing over at the moment.

S3 (45:02):
But all this talk of clown schools made me very jealous.
I really want to go to clown school. But Meg,
there's a lot of makeup that happens for pageant day.

S8 (45:10):
There's so much makeup, and there are 120 makeup artists
to make up 1200 clowns, elves and other people between or.
They all get ready very early before the pageant. They
start at 6:30 a.m. very early.

S3 (45:25):
Start a lot of work.

S1 (45:26):
It is a lot of work and I can tell
you getting rid of that makeup is also a.

S3 (45:29):
Lot of work.

S1 (45:30):
After pageant as well, because you do want to return
to your street clothes and look somewhat presentable.

S8 (45:34):
Well, it.

S1 (45:35):
Takes much effort. Does it take to get rid of
that makeup? Meg?

S8 (45:37):
It takes 220 boxes of tissues and 65 jars of
makeup remover to remove all that makeup.

S1 (45:42):
Feels like it takes double that to get it off.
But anyway, it feels like I was finding glitter for
days afterwards in my hair as well. So certainly takes
a little bit of effort to get that off. We
might go to a quick station sponsor spot and we'll
be right back. This is the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant.
Audio description broadcast on Vision Australia, Radio and Vision Australia
and Radio Adelaide.

S13 (46:03):
Read, relax and reconnect with Vision Store.

S14 (46:06):
Read books with a range of audio reading solutions.

S13 (46:09):
Relax and have fun with a large range of tactile
games and puzzles.

S14 (46:13):
Reconnect with accessible phones and stay in touch with family
and friends. There's a lot to find at Vision Store.
Shop online at vision store Cosmo, or call one 384
74 six Vision Store station sponsor.

S1 (46:31):
You are listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant audio
description broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. It's
currently 14 to 10 right now. And Carrie and Meg,
I can see that there's some flashing blue lights coming
up to us, which means the pageant must be very,
very close.

S3 (46:49):
Yes. The two, um, motorbike riders, the police have their
blue and red lights flashing, uh, just coming along the
route very slowly. And all the kids are doing the
right thing. They are firmly back behind that blue line.
And it's wonderful to have a couple of police officers
start the pageant clear the way. They're waving to the kids.

(47:09):
The kids are waving back. That's wonderful. And then, of course,
we have the blue light vehicle coming along behind them.
That's the official clearing the way, as some more beautiful
bubbles float down Wakefield Street. And the blue light vehicle.
There you go. You can hear it. Siren in the background.
It has red tinsel all over the boot and the
bonnet and around the windows. There are kids inside, uh,

(47:31):
with Christmas hats waving and up on top of the
blue light vehicle, two massive antlers. So it's all dolled
up like a reindeer. And some more tinsel as it
goes past and the kids are waving. And then behind it,
the South Australian ambulance vehicle. Oh no, that's the neighborhood
watch vehicle. The neighborhood watch vehicle. It's a white four

(47:53):
wheel drive with some green tinsel. And again, kids inside
dressed up in Christmas costumes waving and a big silver
inflated 40 on top of the neighborhood watch vehicle.

S1 (48:04):
Yes, the Neighborhood Watch SA celebrating 40 years this year
and it's coming up to 12 to 10 here on
Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. This is the 2025
Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast. Well, the pageant has
officially got underway. It's made its way down from South
Terrace along King William Street, and now it's finally up

(48:26):
here on Wakefield Street, making its way past the fire station.

S3 (48:31):
There's one more vehicle before the official start of the
floats from the Christmas pageant, and that is a vehicle
celebrating the Tour Down Under. It's a white vehicle with
orange signage, and on top is Hoppy the Kangaroo on
a bike. And it looks like he's even got a
face mask on. It looks like he is preparing for

(48:51):
the tour Down Under that hits our streets early in
the new year.

S1 (48:57):
Lots of energy. The Tour Down Under in January, some
hot weather, but even hotter cycling, some very fast cycling
going on as well. I don't know about you, but
I wouldn't be able to keep up for even a
second with those. It's incredible the speeds they reach 60km
an hour and even more going downhill as well.

S3 (49:12):
It's so much fun to line the streets wherever their
particular stage is, and get out there with pots and
pans and bash them and welcome. Not them. The pans, yes,
just to be very sure, make lots of noise, bells
and pans and pots and encourage them as they go past.

S1 (49:27):
I was about to say there was a very cycling feel.
I can hear someone with a cowbell down there actually,
so there's a very cycling feel going on right now
as well. Well, I think we're getting very, very close now.
We're getting very close to the first flight. The South
Australian Police mounted camera making their way through. We've got
another tour Down Under support vehicle making its way through. Meg?

S8 (49:46):
Uh, yeah. It looks like a bit like a race car.
A a pale blue with little orange accents and a
driver waving, waving to everyone in the crowd, and they're
waving back. And then following the car are two people in. Oh,
do you know what they're doing? They're picking up the chalk.
It's two people in blue overalls with orange shirts, pulling

(50:09):
green wheelie bins behind them, and then another person in
blue overalls with a yellow shirt, and she's got a broom,
and they're just making sure there's nothing on the street,
and we're ready to go.

S1 (50:21):
They look very happy. Aren't they waving their way around?
Lots of energy already, Carrie.

S3 (50:26):
And we can hear a band coming up. But before
the band arrives, we have the South Australian Police mounted
Operations unit, founded in 1838, known in South Australia as
the Police Greys. We have four beautiful grey horses marching
in sync and on their hooves they have red and
green glitter. And today we have Renee Park riding police horse,

(50:47):
general Chris Bullen riding police horse encounter, Tanya Bowen riding
police horse Zeus and Carly Dykers riding police horse Vulcan
as they make their way along the pageant route and
clear the way for the band that you can hear coming.

S8 (51:02):
Well, coming up is the band of the South Australian Police.
They are the first police band formed in Australia, and
they performed at Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday at Windsor Castle.
And this is their parade band. It's led by drum
major Sergeant First Class Adam Buckley in full dress uniform,
navy blue suits with hard white hats. It's seven straight
rows of five musicians. They're playing trumpets, trombones, tubas, French horns, clarinets, saxophones, cymbals, timpani,

(51:30):
snare and bass drums, and they are followed by the
Adelaide based Enigma drill dance team. The Australian champions. In
exhibition drill and thematic drill, its rows of dancers in
pink and blue uniforms, and they are carrying wreaths, silver
wreaths of tinsel.

S3 (51:49):
They are followed by some more workers that are cleaning
up behind them in case any of that tinsel falls
on the ground. And then we have some clowns in
blue and green uniforms with white hats, and they've got
large slices of Christmas cake that they're tempting the people with.

S8 (52:05):
I think he's got a Christmas pudding coming up.

S3 (52:08):
Now, this next load of characters are ahead of the
Let the Pageant Begin 2025. All of these people are
staff from the national pharmacies. And we have a beautiful theme.
All you need is love from the Beatles and What
the World Needs Now is Love by Burt Bacharach. The
dancers out front are known as impact. They're from the
Total Image Dance Company, Performing arts studio, overall Champions School

(52:32):
in South Australia, and they're wearing red and green striped
uniforms with white tulle underskirts. And they're waving beautiful long
green ribbons as they dance along and fling their arms
in the air. The ribbons follow them. The float a
couple of ladies out front with red skirts and white
Christmas motifs are waving. They're holding a 2025 notice, and

(52:53):
we have, um, a couple of elves in red driving
along with a big bass drum behind them and the
sponsor's message and a couple of, uh, Christmas trees on top.

S8 (53:04):
Oh, and two behind us. We've got the Pageant Express.
It's a big train over four metres tall and 18m long.
It's got two carriages carrying some very lucky passengers as
enormous toy train in bright blue with yellow edging and
a red roof and large red boiler at the front
with a big black funnel that's currently billowing smoke out
all along. Uh, and two young children are driving the train.

S3 (53:29):
It certainly looks like they're having a lot of fun.
We've got some clowns, some of your friends, Matt, as
they go along with orange and green and rainbow wigs,
big floppy outfits and some hula hoops. They're up to
no good, I'm sure. Then Billy the Bulldozer, designed by
Stardust Castle supervisor John Baron. Uh, it's a bulldozer painted
in sky blue with dark trim, black caterpillar treads, huge

(53:51):
yellow safety hat on top with a big blue. A
B sits on top of his cab and some children
are sitting in the cab up top and his, uh,
the bulldozer is holding a lot of presents.

S8 (54:04):
Next up we've got Toby. Toy truck is designed by
Nick McKenzie. Toby the toy truck is a bright yellow
tip truck full of all sorts of toys. He has
a massive smiling mouth, blue eyes, and a blue hard
hat and green earmuffs. And there's a yellow ladder beside
his face which leads up to the cab above him,
where two children are driving. His big black wheels are,

(54:24):
I think, higher than the people walking beside him.

S3 (54:27):
Amazing. Up next is a futuristic spaceship, like a fighter
jet plane in colors of blue and orange. Has a
pointy nose raised, about to shoot off around the galaxy.
But before heading off, its cabin doors are open and
there are young space cadets with bright blue spacesuits, large
black space helmets standing up and waving to the crowd.
The spaceship is surrounded by aliens with bright pink and

(54:47):
purple pig like faces, large floppy ears sticking out the
top of their heads and snout noses. They have three
fingers on each hand and wear purple and blue horizontal
stripe uniforms. They might look a bit scary, but I
understand they're pretty friendly aliens, and now they are joined
by members of the Southern Dewback garrison of the 501st
Legion and Relock base of Rebel Legion, made up of

(55:07):
Star Wars fans from around the world who make their
way to Adelaide just to join the pageant, along with
a number of fully authorised Star Wars characters in full gear.
I can see some stormtroopers, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, C-3po
and more as they pass by. They look pretty friendly today,
but I wouldn't want to get on the wrong side
of them.

S8 (55:28):
No, I can see Darth Vader waving at everyone. He's
full of Christmas cheer. And coming up, we have the
Onkaparinga City Concert Band. They play events in the Onkaparinga
City Council area and compete in state and national competitions.
Their striking uniform is mostly black black shoes, black trousers,
black polo shirts and bright red sleeves, and they're topped

(55:48):
off with smart black broad brimmed hats with bright red
hat ribbons around the crown. They are led by conductor
Terry Bickley, and at the front, with a large, ornate
golden mace, are. His mace is about 1.2m long, and
he uses that to beat time and keep them all
together as they march along. They are accompanied by Golden
Grove High School special interest dance program in bright green uniforms,

(56:10):
waving at everyone with, uh, very pristine white shoes.

S3 (56:16):
I wonder if those, uh, the dancers are about to
start a formation. They're all in a rank of five
lines as they wave, and I wonder if they've got
some dance moves to go with the band.

S1 (56:27):
It is currently 4 to 10. You are listening to
the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast on Vision
Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. I'm Matt Bell and our
wonderful audio describers today are Carrie Sealey and Meg Riley.
There's a lot of excitement building up because I believe
our next float is actually one of the new floats.
It's the first time we've seen it this year, but
before that, some of my former colleagues clowns creating some

(56:50):
mischief out there on the streets. I wouldn't be doing
too many push ups right now. I can tell you
right now you'll be feeling it by the time you
get around to King William Street.

S3 (56:56):
Okay, so Magic Fairyland has been designed by new artist
Katie Schultz, and it's full of magical creatures, some large
and some tiny. A large white unicorn with white wings
and a rainbow mane and tail, lies down by a
wooden fairy bridge over a small pond, and beside it
there are tiny fairies and squirrels and mice and a
tiny fox, all hiding under glittery magic mushrooms of blue

(57:18):
and orange and red, and around them are very fairy
tale characters. And one is a beautiful flower carrying, you know,
those flowers that kind of explode and the white just
it's like a little pom pom and it goes, she's
carrying one of those, but it hasn't exploded just yet.
But there are magic mushrooms crawling along.

S8 (57:37):
The ones you make a wish on.

S3 (57:38):
That's the ones. The dandelion. Dandelions. Yes. Thank you. Oh,
look who's coming. Oh how beautiful.

S8 (57:47):
I think this is Cinderella. Designed by John Barron. A
prestige dance academy is at the front, representing a beautiful
ball dancers in pale pink, blue, green, purple and yellow. Uh,
I think that's Cinderella in white. Walking down, waving at
everyone with her little silver crown. Um, the float behind

(58:10):
her has a coachman at the front dressed all in white,
and he drives a snow. Two snow white horses. Those
horses are life size. They are big. And they pull
a white and gold carriage shaped like a snow dome,
with white struts dividing like the segments of an orange. Uh,
two footmen in pale blue satin coats and hats stand

(58:30):
beside the coach and Cinderella's fairy godmother, stepmother and ugly sister.
Ugly stepsisters walk beside.

S3 (58:39):
Are now coming up here. Beautiful dance explosions coming all
the way from regional Port Augusta. Great to see the
regional performers in the pageant. The dancers are in sky
blue and bright pink and they are dancing in formation.
Their hands are on their hips and they step to
the right and a hand goes out. They've done a
little circle, hands in the air and they march off.

(58:59):
One hand punches the air, the next hand punches the air,
and then they start to march off again. Hopping along.
Their skirts are bright rainbow sparkles, and the girls are
all in time to the music, because coming behind them
is the mermaid. Christmas. Even mermaids celebrate Christmas. Her whole
body is pale pearlescent blue. Her scales are iridescent blue, green, purple.

(59:20):
Her long tail flows over the rocks in front of her,
and she holds a seaweed rope with lights. There's a seahorse, jellyfish, starfish,
and the king and Queen trident are there as well,
accompanied by all sorts of undersea creatures as they walk
past an orange starfish. Um, a I think it's a
fish with purple, silver and blue fins and scales. And

(59:40):
there's the King and Queen trident walking along behind.

S8 (59:45):
And here's our friend Boruto. Boruto is a giant dark
pink furry monster with a friendly face. He has small,
dark brown straight horns that stick out either side of
his face, just above his ears and large kind eyes,
and they sweep from side to side, watching the audience.
A is a little pug nose and a wide smile,
two lower canine teeth poking out from his bottom lip.

(01:00:05):
He's sitting on his bottom with his short legs straight
out in front. His large round feet have black soles
and three toes, and he folds his arms in front
and cradles two very lucky children in his arms. And
people are walking alongside the float, dressed in dark pink
furry coveralls with furry hoods and two white teeth painted
on their lips, and they smile and wave at everyone. Oh,

(01:00:26):
and there are two clowns coming up. One of them
has an artist palette.

S3 (01:00:29):
Look at it. You might get some of his paint
on your face. Here comes Izzy, the dinosaur designed by
Dave Clark, who named this float after his daughter Izzy
is a giant purple dinosaur. She has long eyelashes of
over doey black eyes. Bright pink skin shows through between
her dark purple scales. She has three toes on each
foot and sitting down with her long tail curled up
behind her, she watches two little blue and pink eggs

(01:00:52):
that are starting to hatch, each with a little child
inside waving. And then the South Australian Museum, of course,
has a wonderful dinosaur collection. Definitely worth a visit.

S8 (01:01:01):
Absolutely. I think here behind them, Scotch College, Caledonian Core
and Highland Dancers, the oldest school pipe band in the state,
the Scotch Pipe Band and Highland dancers combined to form
a Scotch College, Caledonian Corps, where current and old scholars
perform together. The pipe band dress in the dark green
and blue school tartan, with thin red and white lines
highlighting the square pattern, and wear beret style caps with

(01:01:23):
the school badge. The dancers are in tartans of many colours,
with arms curved over their heads. And dancing traditional Scottish styles.
They are doing intricate toe taps and they turn in
time with a swirl of pipes.

S3 (01:01:41):
A couple of mischievous clowns coming along behind with giant flowers,
and one looks like they're about to water the flower.
But they missed the flower and got some of the crowd. Oh, fortunately,
it's only glitter water. The gingerbread house is coming along behind.
Created by Carrie Lindsay. And it's got a giant gingerbread house.
Do you decorate gingerbread house at Christmas time? White icing

(01:02:01):
is piped onto the roof in the shape of shingles
with icicles dropping down. We've got gingerbread men and Christmas
trees around the edge and are walking a snowman out
the front. And some people walking along carrying gingerbread characters
as well and waving. Oh a bakery. Are you hungry?

S8 (01:02:23):
Oh I am. Oh, look at this. A bright blue
baker's van is driven by a chef with a white
big hat. Uh, there's a big. Oh, sorry. We're seeing
accent on dance class. Are they a group of dancers
in short blue skirts, dancing, clapping, jumping. Uh, accent on
dance are committed to creating a nurturing, enthusiastic, and family

(01:02:45):
like atmosphere while developing self-confidence to bring out the best
in every student. Uh. And they are dancing before the
bright blue baker's van driven by a chef. The big
white chef hat and walking around the van are very
large chefs with very large checkered pants and huge chef's
hat dropping over the sides of their faces. Um, and

(01:03:08):
they are high fiving members of the audience along the
side of the road, and they are followed by, uh,
bakers in little blue and green overalls with white shirts.

S3 (01:03:20):
I love those chefs. They've got big hula hoop bellies
that make them look ridiculously hilarious. I think the hats
are a bit too big as well. Oh, here come
Jolly and jingles. Uh, jolly the elf. Jingles the reindeer.
They are the Christmas pageant mascots, and their song was
written by Quentin Ayres and sung by Bridget Crowl. They're
a little bit taller than a man. Jolly has pointy
ears under a green cap, a painted red round nose,

(01:03:44):
tiny black eyes, and huge smiling mouth open to show
his little red tongue. He wears a white shirt, blue
star outlines on it and long emerald green trousers held
up by red, green, red braces and gold buttons. And
he wears an enormous red bow around his neck. Jingles
the reindeer has rust brown fur with tawny chest, face
and antlers. He has black hooves, eyes and nose. He's
smiling and he's his red and red mouth as well,

(01:04:08):
and he's got a number of elves in beautiful red
outfits with rainbow striped socks coming along behind.

S8 (01:04:15):
Oh watch out, Humpty Dumpty is about to have a
big fall. Humpty Dumpty is sitting precariously on top of
a brick wall on this float, rocking back and forth.
Nervous guards are at the ready to catch him. Uh,
there are kids on rocking horses at the front as well. Uh,
the float is surrounded by soldiers at the ready to
put Humpty together again. A big shout out to Michaela Willis,
who designed and made the Nutcracker Soldier costumes in red, blue, green. Uh, blue.

S3 (01:04:41):
Here we go. Following the yellow brick road, uh, designed
by John Barone and celebrating the Wizard of Oz. Dorothy,
in a blue checked dress and white apron and ruby
slippers is out the front. There's the Tin Man, the lion,
and the Scarecrow, surrounded by munchkins on the yellow brick
road to home of the wizard under the colorful rainbow.

S1 (01:05:03):
And I will say as well, we want to hear
from you. If you're listening to the broadcast, share your
shout outs. You can share those shout outs on social
media on our face on the Facebook page using the
hashtag Vision Australia Radio. Tell us what you're seeing and
what you're hearing at the National at the Christmas pageant.

S3 (01:05:21):
And there's often a little break by the time we
get to here, because some of the floats are a
little older and they might take a little bit of
maintenance along the way, who knows why there's a little gap, but, um,
there's often a gap, but it just gives you a
moment to breathe and to think and then to enjoy
this clown who's trying to tell people what to do,
but they're already doing it. They're behind. Oh, there we go.

(01:05:42):
He's high fiving the kids behind the blue line. Isn't
that lovely, Meg? What's he dressed in?

S8 (01:05:47):
He's wearing a big yellow suit with a little striped
vest and his bright red curly hair. And he's holding
a hula hoop.

S3 (01:05:58):
Oh, I can hear something special coming.

S8 (01:06:00):
I hear the bagpipes again. That is, the Pipes and
Drums of the Royal Caledonian Society of South Australia, formed
in 1894. They are the oldest pipe band in the
Southern Hemisphere. This band has performed with Andrew at the
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, at the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland,
and again at the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle.

(01:06:21):
They are dressed with red tartan kilts, white shirts and
black vests. And the bagpipe players have put tinsel on
their bagpipes so that hangs on and shines in the sun.
And they are followed by Jess Dance Academy, established by
Jess Gale in 2014. They do ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop,

(01:06:41):
acrobatics and contemporary dance for all ages. They are in rows,
the first row wearing bright pink oh sorry, bright red
glittery uniforms, followed by a row of bright silvery uniforms
and then bright green and a row of bright gold
at the end.

S3 (01:06:59):
They look like mini Christmas trees. A bit, don't they?

S8 (01:07:02):
They do.

S3 (01:07:03):
Beautiful long tassels waving in the breeze. And they are
followed by the parade of the flags. This is the
South Australian Precision Team, internationally recognised dance group focusing on calisthenics.
At the front we see the flags being waved by
of with the logo of South Australia and the major sponsor.

(01:07:23):
Then the Christmas pageant and Father Christmas on a couple
of those flags and the girls are in red uniforms, uh,
with short red skirts, black trousers, black shoes, I should say.
And their uniforms have bright tinsel around the collar. Um,
silver and gold. Their hair's pulled back up high in

(01:07:43):
a ponytail, and they have red tinsel around the Tony
the ponytail. As they do high kicks, they step along
and leap into the air. All precision dancing. It's beautiful
to watch.

S8 (01:07:54):
And there's another clown with a hula hoop coming after
to them on a clown with a skipping rope. Uh,
and here comes the royal Christmas ball. Uh, this is
a float with stairs and going up to the top
of the stairs in the. Is the queen and king
in the center, and a prince and princess on their sides,
and junior royals on the stairs, on the ballroom floor

(01:08:15):
and surrounding the float, we have amazing ballroom dancers showing
off their moves. Uh, the National National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant,
Royal Family, Queen Lisa and King Dave, and they are
accompanied by Princesses Shannon and Jules and Princes Ronald and Rodney.
And the junior royals are Princess Alice and Prince Joseph.

S3 (01:08:38):
The Blue Odyssey Drill dance team is following. They have
red shiny coat tails over the top of black uniforms,
and their skirts are edged in bright red. They have
gold sashes and they hold gold flags each that are
shaped a bit like a fan. They're just walking past
us at the moment, waving. They've got gold tinsel. And

(01:08:58):
now with the blow of the whistle, they are swirling
their fans across in front of them, up and down
and making a beautiful gold and red scene as they
go along. Oh my goodness, look at these clowns. These
clowns have brought their dogs and their other animals. Gosh,
there's a giraffe. Uh, it looks like a cow and
an elephant. Of course, they're just little trolleys pushed out
in front of them, but they are absolutely delightful. And

(01:09:21):
I think the little giraffe is heading over to some
kids across the road for a bit of a pat. Oh,
here's a violin for Christmas designed. Uh, it's the winner
of the 2021 Mini Flute Competition winner Adelaine grats, inspired
by her grandmother's violin. And there are also other presents
on the mini flute, a teddy bear, a book marching drum,
and a clown jack bouncing out of a yellow and

(01:09:43):
orange box.

S1 (01:09:47):
On Vision Australia Radio, you're listening to the 2025 Adelaide
Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast on Vision Australia Radio. I'm
Matt Bell and that is Meg Riley and Carrie Seely
your wonderful audio describers. It's currently 10:09 and 15 degrees
here in Adelaide. Meg what's up next.

S8 (01:10:03):
Oh we've got dances by Donna in sunflower, sunflower hats
and with bees. They accompany the hidden disabilities. Sunflower fire truck.
The fire truck is wrapped in bright green with sunflowers
all over the hidden disabilities. Sunflower. It's a globally recognised
symbol for non-visible disabilities, also known as hidden disabilities or
invisible disabilities. This year, the pageant is partnering with Hidden

(01:10:26):
Disabilities Sunflower to increase awareness and provide places where people
can be assisted at the pageant if required. The MFS
have an open day in Wakefield Street throughout the year,
and they also partner with hidden disabilities, providing a sensory
space for individuals with with needs and hidden disabilities. Sitting
in the fire truck in the pageant is Dominic Renfrey
and his mum Jorja. A big shout out to those

(01:10:48):
supporting Duchenne muscular dystrophy research.

S3 (01:10:52):
And coming along behind is Ye Olde Pageant Tram, celebrating
the old trams that ran from Adelaide to Glenelg, a
favourite seaside place to visit. Although the tram line is
closed at the moment, we have tram coming down Wakefield Street.
The tram car has been converted to run on wheels
rather than a traditional tracks. It's painted in bright colours
of deep yellow, bright green and bright Christmas red, lining

(01:11:13):
the roof and running around the running boards under each
window around the tram, a yellow panel is framed in
green and has a Christmas decoration in red and green,
a wreath, some holly, a red and white striped candy cane.
Around the outside are women and men. In 1800s, costumes
of bright yellow yellow striped jackets, yellow pants, yellow striped boaters,

(01:11:34):
and the women in yellow and white striped bustle dresses
with white petticoats, jackets cinched at the waist, and large
striped sun bonnets festooned with large white ostrich feathers.

S8 (01:11:46):
And following is the only concert band Are with blue
and white shirts and black pants, and they are playing
instruments like a huge saxophone, big bass drum, uh, timpani,
a sousaphone at the back there. And they are followed
by the just for Fun Dance Company, a dance studio
in Woodville Park. And their aim is to make dancing fun.

(01:12:08):
And they are wearing cute little teal uniforms, um, with cheerleaders,
pom poms and kicking their legs up. Cheerleaders now.

S3 (01:12:21):
They've got tinsel skirts that ruffle in the breeze as
they go along, and there's a lot of them. How
many would you suggest there might be? Gosh, uh, probably
more than 30 of them going along and having a
lovely time. It's so good to see different community groups
participating in the Christmas pageant. And perhaps you're listening and
wonder if you could be part of the Christmas pageant
one year. Well, there are opportunities. Uh, so keep an

(01:12:44):
ear to the ground for those opportunities coming up in
the years ahead. We have another brand new float, my
Pet Dragon, a friendly purple. An apricot colored dragon flies
above shiny white marshmallow clouds. The pale orange wings flap
slowly as it blinks, its large, round eyes and tiny
wings on its ears, and two white teeth poking out
of its gentle smile. Both sides of its mouth. Its

(01:13:06):
head slowly bobs up and down in time to the
wings beating. And every now and then you might see
a little puff of smoke coming from its nostrils. Its
legs and arms also move slowly as it glides along
and look. The driver of the float is wearing a
large white ball on his head, and it looks like
part of the marshmallow clouds.

S8 (01:13:26):
He fits right in with that cloud. I see a
clown or with bagpipes. Stomping around and imitating the concert bands.
And coming up is Shaping our Wonderful World. Designed by
Carrie Lindsay with Chinatown Dragon Dance and Multicultural essay celebrating
diversity where all kinds of people make up a community.
There's a large dragon. I think that's around ten meters long. Um,

(01:13:49):
huge orange. And it's led by about ten dancers beneath it,
moving it like a puppet, and it really flies through
the air. Now coming up is their float, which is
a large mandala about two meters in diameter, with images
repeated again and again like a kaleidoscope. And there are
Chinese drummers and dragon dancers. There are large red drums

(01:14:11):
at the front of the float, and some lucky kids
sitting up there and waving to the audience. The float
is followed by six local communities. These communities rotate each year,
and so far 80 countries have been represented thanks to
multicultural SA, and this year we especially recognize our friends
from Chinatown, Adelaide Dragon Dance, leading the float and following it.

(01:14:32):
People in national dress representing Afghanistan, China, India, Nepal and
Sierra Leone.

S3 (01:14:42):
Some of those outfits are amazing. From the Pacific Islands.
They're in grass skirts. We can see the beautiful black,
red and white weaving that we recognize as coming from
near New Zealand. And then we have other people in
salwar kameez and we have some beautiful, colourful outfits of
white dresses with red embroidery down the sleeves and around
the bottom of their hoop skirts and red scarves.

S1 (01:15:05):
And don't forget, if you're here with us at the pageant,
don't forget to use the hashtag Vision Australia Radio to
tell us and share your experience of the pageant today.
It's currently 10:15. You're listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant.
Audio description broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide.

S3 (01:15:23):
Do you know that we're only about a third of
the way through? I know there's a lot more fun coming,
and right now it's in the form of some clowns.
They're into baking, so we've got someone with a slice
of cake. We've got someone else mixing in something in
the bowl, and it looks like he's sharing it with
a few kids. And then we've got a coffee on. Oh, all.
Coffee sounds good, doesn't it? A giant cup, purple cup

(01:15:44):
of coffee that as he waves it around, it's not
falling off. And now we have SA Circus Center, home
of the Cirkidz, the preeminent training ground for kids who
enjoy acrobats and circus. World famous local sensation, gravity and
other myths came from this organization and Hollywood success story
from South Australia. Tilda Cobham-hervey was a founding member of
the troupe. Today, the girls are in blue uniforms of

(01:16:07):
short skirts and blue tank tops. They have red hula
hoops and black shoes as they wave their hula hoops around,
and somebody's driving along behind them in a tiny, tiny
little bike and a red outfit. The bike would be
about the size of, I don't know, half the size
of a two year old. And next to them, somebody
riding a unicycle, which would be about three meters tall,

(01:16:27):
coming along behind. There's a girl in blue with a
girl in red on top, standing on her shoulders and waving.
And then there's a young boy in a red top
with black balloon trousers. And he's walking on stilts. Can
you imagine walking three kilometres on stilts?

S8 (01:16:42):
Oh my goodness. Coming up is Pogo, designed in 1997
by artist David Blight. Pogo is a giant clown riding
a tiny tricycle. He has pale green hair that sticks
out like triangles either side of his head with a
bald patch on top. There's a giant red ball in
his nose, and the lower half of his face is
painted white with red lipstick extending beyond his actual lips
to create a very wide smile. And he has laugh

(01:17:03):
lines from that permanent smile. He was a deep blue
velvet jacket over a white button up shirt and a
rainbow colored tie, and two other human sized clowns with
bright costumes and curly wigs of purple provide people power
for Pogo as they drag him along from in front.

S3 (01:17:18):
Along behind, very close. His nasty Neville a motley lot
of pirates there in the pageant. On the one hand,
they look very sinister and suddenly they look harmless. Or
is that harmless? Oh nasty Neville. The pirate leans forward
with one foot on the prow of his pirate ship,
wears a red coat, black trousers, knee boots and a
large black tricorn hat.

S8 (01:17:37):
Here is Adelaide's combined brass. This band regularly competes in
state and national competitions, and has three separate brass bands
to cater for learners through to accomplished musicians. This year
marks 40 years of proud participation for the Show Bradley
Dance Studios team as well. Since the 80s show were
performed as a dancer in the pageant with Gwen Mackie
dance team and Cheryl Bradley's grandmother walked as the White
Rabbit with Alice in Wonderland in 1933, and the band

(01:18:00):
is dressed up all in Christmas colours, and the dancers
behind them are in bright gold uniforms, little skirts, and
they are waving and they've just paused for a second.
The dancers at the front have their arms up. And
they're dancing. They're pushing forward, arms up, spinning around.

S3 (01:18:28):
And then behind them, there's just been a little holdup
because the pageant turns left just past us. And so
there's a little build up as they, catch up to
the the corner there, but behind them are the soft toys. Now,
it's not actually what you think. These are not soft
toys you would expect. This is a rock band. The
musicians that are about 2.5m tall, a blonde girl and
a pink singlet blue jeans energetically plays a purple guitar,

(01:18:51):
a red headed boy in a blue and white striped shirt,
green jeans and a brown baseball cap. Plays another guitar,
and a boy with a green mohawk and striped brown
pants plays a drum kit with a logo. Soft toys
on the bass drum around the float, girls and boys
in purple and pink outfits, and blue. They're in tracksuits
with bright silver sparkles down the side, and they wave

(01:19:11):
a sign on their head. The float reads for one
show only the soft toys.

S8 (01:19:19):
Our next group is Be Merry. This is the theater bugs.
People are people dressed in bee and honey costumes started
by Joni Comb, the daughter of Joni Comb, daughter of
the internationally acclaimed children's entertainer Peter Curran Theatre has produced
many great young performers over the years. This year they
are wearing their little bug antennae on their head and

(01:19:40):
they're dressed in yellow, orange, red and black and white.
Check and they wave to the crowd. Coming up behind
them is the winner of the 2024 Mini Float competition,
Liam Mewett from Ardtornish Primary School. That's a beautiful message
of believe, behave and be merry. It's a bright yellow
beehive around 1.5m tall and has buzzing bees around it,

(01:20:01):
along with bright coloured flowers and some jars of honey
at the back. This year's competition attracted over 400 entries
from across the state. And congratulations to everyone that entered.

S3 (01:20:11):
Well, coming up, the Innovate Dance Studio committed to providing
quality dance tuition to students ranging from two years of
age to 25. They teach classical, contemporary, jazz, tap, hip
hop and musical theatre and today they are in red
uniforms with gold sashes and very long red and white
striped Christmas hats as they march along, waving left and right,

(01:20:33):
and they are sweeping their hands in front of them,
stepping forward together, tapping their hands and then running forward
and sweeping their arms up like they're a wave crashing
on the sea as they catch up to the float
in front of them. And we've got just a little
bit of a break now, but we have smile to
the max coming. Max, the molar plaque patroller is an

(01:20:55):
SA dental superhero from Teutopolis. Max rides in the back
of a silver ute decorated to look like a spaceship.
Max is here to fight plaque and his toothpaste powered jetpack.
He's accompanied by dental workers as tooth fairies. Some of
them are in scrubs. They're out there encouraging all South
Australians to brush their teeth twice a day. SA dental
is proudly supporting the state with dental care for over

(01:21:16):
40 years, and we have a number of molars dancing
along people with large teeth, and they have green and
red uniforms underneath as they dance, along with elf hats
and pointy elf shoes as well. Brush those teeth, especially
if you're having some pageant treats.

S8 (01:21:33):
They're using little toothbrushes as their fairy ones.

S1 (01:21:40):
And on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide, you're listening
to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast that
is on 1190 7 a.m. and 101.5 FM. Carrie, looks
like there's been a little hold up in the pageant.
Is that right? That's okay. We'll cut to a quick
station sponsor moment and we'll be back in a second.

S16 (01:22:04):
The countdown is on. The other film festival returns with
a bold lineup of films by deaf and disabled creators,
streaming free and accessible across Australia from Thursday, the 20th
of November to Wednesday the 3rd of December. Explore the
full programme of events and screenings at arts access. And

(01:22:25):
join the celebration of Inclusive Cinema Vision Australia Radio is
the proud media partner of the Other film festival.

S1 (01:22:34):
Welcome back to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description
broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. We do
have a quick shout out we've got enjoying the broadcast,
feeling like we're there. We'll be heading to town next
year for sure, but Vision Australia Radio is getting me
through this year. Thanks everyone! That was from Jane. We're
back with Carrie and Meg. Tell us what's up next.

S8 (01:22:55):
We've got Christmas in Toy Town with toy tots designed
by John Brown and Barry Cundall from the Pageant workshop.
This float is made up of dozens of brightly coloured
children's wooden alphabet and number blocks painted in solid colours
in purple, orange, blue, yellow, green, red. Each block has
a darker coloured single letter or number on each face,
and they are followed by internationally internationally renowned artist Emma Moema,

(01:23:18):
along with BB butterfly and nestled amongst the children on
Toy Town float, Emma holds a doctorate in the artistic
integration of sign language, dance and film and the dancers
behind are wearing gold and green uniforms, little tinsel skirts
shining in the sun, and a clown is trying to
join in as well. Bright red hair doing dances with the, uh.

S3 (01:23:40):
I think he's gone off script from clown school, don't you?

S1 (01:23:43):
He'll be disciplined. Definitely sent to the principal's office on
Monday morning, that's for sure.

S3 (01:23:47):
We have the Seymour College Pipe Band and Highland Dancers
following along behind. It's the only all girls pipe band
in the state accompanied by their Highland dancers. The band
has the Black Swan, black watch, tartan kilt, black vests
over white shirts. They have black hats, and their pipes
are adorned with silver tinsel as they march along and

(01:24:10):
in behind. The Highland dancers have, um, black and white
checked skirts and white long socks, black shoes, white shirts
and a black vest. Their hair is all pulled up
into a high bun as they move along in rank
and file. And I think that pipe band is about
to fire up again very soon.

S8 (01:24:31):
Uh, next we have kumonga up and coming together. This
vote pays respect to the welcoming nature of Ghana culture.
The traditional owners of the land on which the pageant
takes place. The lands and waters abundant with flora and fauna.
That was the lifeblood of the Ghana people. The three
rings on this float in yellow, black and red, like
the Aboriginal flag, represent the coming together of peoples past,

(01:24:54):
present and future. The design is one that looks towards
the future. It's designed by Paul Hertzog, created by artist
Carrie Lindsay and built by the pageant team under the
guidance of Ghana elders Lewis O'Brien, Michael O'Brien and Veena Raymond.
And behind the Pacific Islands community also proudly takes part
this year, symbolizing peace and unity across our region and
showcasing the strength of our indigenous partnership and kinship. Um,

(01:25:16):
and they are wearing some of the traditional clothing. There
are some pale brown grass skirts, brown dresses, and bright
green and blue shirts.

S3 (01:25:27):
Coming up next, an Aussie favourite Possum Magic, one of
Australia's favourite books based on Mem Fox's best seller Possum Magic,
written by Mem Fox, illustrated by Julie Vivas. The float,
designed by Dave Blight, the blue float is painted in
brightly coloured stars orange. Purple. Yellow. Blue. Green. Grandma Poss
and Hush dance and smile. Grandma poss wears a purple
apron with yellow stars and white sneakers. Hush flings his

(01:25:48):
hands in the air, smiling broadly, lifting one leg in
the air mid jig as Grandma Poss looks on through
her round glasses that sit on the end of her nose.
Here we go. Round the Lamington Plate song was written
by Quentin Ayres, who wrote the Port Power Anthem and
it's sung by Bridget Crowl. Lamingtons and Vegemite sandwiches are
on the tow motor.

S8 (01:26:06):
This is. Penguins are cool. The penguins are cool. Float
is around nine metres long and 3.5m high. In the
centre of the float is a giant penguin wearing a
scarf and a hat and looping around him, and all
the way down to the front of the float is
a loopy slide with icicles dripping off the sides. Um,
little penguins all dressed in winter clothes. Have fun gliding
down the slide or dancing beside it. Uh, and on

(01:26:27):
the street are people dressed up as penguins with white
bellies and black backs. Little yellow bibs and yellow beaks. Oh,
they are running to catch up with the icicle float. Uh,
the penguins are cool. Debuted the Christmas pageant, achieved the
Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of people wearing
red noses.

S1 (01:26:45):
And we've got another shout out here. This one is. Hi, everyone.
Listening on the live stream from Perth this morning. Good
morning to you over in Perth. Nice way to spend
breakfast enjoying the show. Hello to Dom and Lara who
are hopefully listening there in Adelaide. And this one's from
Dave sounding great. Thanks for the audio description of the event.
I feel like I'm there. An early Merry Christmas to all.

(01:27:06):
And we've also got from Marie hey Vision Australia Radio
listening in from Albury and loving the audio description. It
feels like I'm right there enjoying the floats and one
from Kelly as well. Shout out to all the amazing
volunteers bringing the Christmas spirit to life. You're making it
so special for those of us tuning in from afar.

S3 (01:27:24):
Thank you so much for the shout outs. We love
that you're listening. Uh, right now we have the Christmas barbecue.
A bright orange Weber style barbecue is being wheeled down
the street, sizzling with basil, the prawn on top, Paddy's corn,
shashlik sausages and lemon. I'm getting a little hungry. It's
the 2023 winner of the mini float competition. Alyssa Raj,
Brianna Jacoby and Ella Chappell from Paralowie are the 12 school,

(01:27:47):
and behind them, the students from the Aero Kids, a
school for aerobic sports specializing in beginner gymnastics and skills programs.
They're walking along in pale denim shorts and bright red
and green shirts as they wave and walk down the street.
Their right hand is on their right hip, their left
hand is waving, they have white sand shoes and they're

(01:28:07):
marching along. And goodness me, someone broke protocol and crossed
the blue line. Oh no! Oh phew. They made it
past before they got told off by the clowns.

S8 (01:28:16):
The clowns are on it, and the clowns are holding
bright rainbow kites as they come down the street. Um,
the next float is summer holiday. What better way to
celebrate summer than going on a caravan holiday? As a
bright red car with a white roof and towing a
rounded red caravan with a white wide white strip around
the bottom. It's like those you would have seen on

(01:28:36):
the roads in the 60s. A map of South Australia
runs all the way around the float, and tall white
signposts point the way to many famous South Australian holiday
destinations Clare Valley. Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide Hills and
the Murraylands. I wonder what your favourite holiday would be
walking beside the holidays. The workers are saying there's a

(01:28:57):
clown on a green bike waving to everyone.

S3 (01:29:02):
Oh, there's another one riding a hobby horse. Oh, there's
someone's also riding a candy cane. Oh, listen to the drums,
I love it. Are you all marching on the spot?
Pulteney Grammar School drum corps, directed by Frank Fragomeni. They've
been generous pageant supporter for many years and their uniform
are black trousers, black shirts. Their sleeves have are white

(01:29:22):
and they have black stripes. They have white hard hats,
almost like a sugar plum fairy, but they're white and
they have black with the blue pompom on them as
they go past the ridgehaven calisthenics are kicking high in
the air. They have red outfits, the top tank tops
are red sparkly, and the dresses come to mid-thigh red.

(01:29:43):
And then a couple of little girls in black and
white fairy costumes are marching with them. They're all about
fun and building confidence through activities that combine dance, gymnastics, ballet, strength,
and teamwork. A good drum band always makes me want
to start marching. I reckon I'd do a lot more
exercise if I had like a regular drum band around
the corner.

S1 (01:30:02):
Don't you maybe need that enthusiasm to get me back
out running every morning at 5 a.m.? Go for my runs,
then you are listening to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant.
Audio description Broadcast on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide.
I'm Matt Bell, I'm joined with two wonderful audio describers,
Carrie Seeley and Meg Riley. Um, we are officially at
the halfway point now. That's 43 slides, I believe, if

(01:30:25):
I've got my maths correct with 343 slides, which means
we're halfway to our special guest, Father Christmas, making his
way to Adelaide.

S3 (01:30:32):
Matt, there's a couple of clowns out front and they're
pretending that they've strongman. They've got some dumbbells that they
look like it's really, really heavy. And then. Then they
drop it and it bounces. So you realise it's actually
just very light.

S1 (01:30:44):
Yeah. Clown school. They don't take you to the gym
that's for sure. Couple more shout outs here. Hi from Adelaide.
My kids are listening along with me and can't stop
dancing to the marching bands. Thanks for making the pageant
accessible and full of joy listening in from Glenelg. Loving
the energy and the detail. Shout out to Michael, Rochelle
and Tara also tuning in.

S8 (01:31:05):
Uh, this is Kingsley's vintage cars coming up. Six vintage
cars driven by four unlicensed Charlie Chaplin's Kept in Line
by Keystone Cops, as built by Kingsley Savage to entertain
South Australian children in Tusmore Park. He was known as
the Pied Piper of Tusmore. Kingsley passed away in 2004
and his family donated the vehicles to the pageant.

S3 (01:31:23):
Beautiful.

S8 (01:31:24):
There's a little blue one, a little red one. Yellow green. Uh,
and the white one at the back. A little, little
Charlie Chaplin's in the car. Ah. Gretchen Jones in the
yellow car in a 1906 Rover roadster. Uh, Blake Pellarin,
11 years old, in the green car in the 1911
Ford pickup. Reverend McGrath in the red car, which is

(01:31:45):
a 1904 Baker Electric. Fletcher Weinmann, ten years old, in
the red engine, 1915. Dennis. Red fire engine. Uh. And
they are followed by a clown in a little red
car that's coming along.

S3 (01:31:59):
Shout out to Kelsey McIntosh, who's eight in the blue
1899 Renault saloon, and Johnny Patullo, only six driving the
1908 Laurent Clément white car. Coming up next, the PS
Murray Explorer, designed by John Barone. It's the inspiration has
been taken from the iconic South Australian paddle Wheeler. The
Murray Princess gives a nod to the mighty Murray lifeblood
of South Australia. Burgundy White Boat has two decks with

(01:32:21):
brown wooden balustrades. The top rails are festooned with gold
and red tinsels and red bows. The white thin white
poles support the veranda decks. There are 20 lucky passengers
on board and the Pageant Jazz Band, led by Keith
Conlon at the drums. This is his 61st year in
the pageant, surrounded by walkers strolling the banks of the
Murray in the 1930s inspired safari costumes. Check out the

(01:32:43):
blue quilted fabric skirt around the bottom of the boat.
Ripples like water was quilted by wardrobe supervisor Natasha Fennell.

S8 (01:32:52):
Coming up, it's a car, a blue Austin seven built
in 1929, in original condition, and the clowns are surrounding it.
It's got yellow smiley face balloons tied to the back
Clowns are waving at the audience and one is pretending
to paint the audience.

S3 (01:33:15):
We have a few pageant photographers, official photographers coming along
and capturing the the moments of glee. Now, coming up
next Christmas, wrapping this float is a skate cage with
skaters skateboarding through a halfpipe inside the black metal cage.
DJ Shep, the South Australian skate collective with Breakdancers have
been supporting the pageant for many years. Impact entertainment, presented

(01:33:37):
by TDC Performing Arts Studio, are back again out front.
We have people on those on bicycles, but they're kind
of the banana bicycles. Do you remember those with the long,
long seats and up the back? Tall flags and their
their bikes are festooned in green and gold tinsel. And
this is a very bright cage. We have skaters going

(01:33:59):
in the halfpipe as they go along the pageant route,
and we've got some rap dancers out the front and
along beside the, uh, the cage. Let's listen to DJ Scheps.
Clap your hands in time to the music. And then
in behind Impact Entertainment are dressed in long red basketball
shorts with two white stripes down the side, white shirt,

(01:34:20):
baggy shirts and a red handkerchief and a white golf
cap as well as they bob down and then stand up,
shimmy to the left, shimmy to the right, shimmy to
the left, shimmy to the right and carry on.

S1 (01:34:37):
On Vision Australia Radio, you're listening to the 2025 Adelaide
Christmas Pageant. Audio description. Broadcast. It's coming up to 25
to 11. We're getting ever so close to Father Christmas
making their way on the streets around Adelaide. It's a
little chilly up here on the second floor balcony of
the Wakefield three fire station here in Adelaide. A big
thanks to the Metropolitan Fire Service for letting us for

(01:34:59):
kindly hosting us up here as the pageant makes its
way through. We're currently through 47 floats, and I believe
the 48th float is about to make its way to us. Meg,
can you tell us a little bit more about that
48th float?

S8 (01:35:11):
This is Christmas on Parade. Uh, we've got a genuine
red London double decker bus, which was shipped to Adelaide
in the 1970s specifically for the pageant. It is an
open upper deck which has a striped canvas roof festooned
with tinsel. Along the upper body of the bus, painted
on a wide cream band, is traditional. Signwriting script in red,

(01:35:33):
edged in gold, says Christmas on Parade. The lower half
of the bus is red, with green edged windows and
a brightly coloured parade of nursery rhyme animals and toys
elephants and monkeys, puppies and smiling cats playing fiddles, juggling,
clowns and minstrels, Dutch windmills and more, all played by
painted by Gary Lee Gaston. And that's I can hear

(01:35:55):
wheels on the bus coming through that. And lots of
lucky children waving from the top level of the bus,
and they are followed by very large clowns wearing huge
clown headpieces on top. So they're much taller than regular
folks coming down the line. Um, and then some clowns
with cricket gear. It looks like they're trying to play

(01:36:16):
maybe cricket and badminton with members of the audience waving
and making everyone laugh. Oh, one is a giant cricket
bat coming down, and he's trying to get people to
high five it along the road.

S3 (01:36:37):
Coming along behind. Ah, the Heathfield Renegades, a drumline from
Heathfield High School, the Heathfield Renegades formed in 2009 and
they've performed in the pageant at Womadelaide at half time
events at Adelaide Oval and Primary Schools Festival of music.
The uniform is black trousers, grey t shirts and their
drums are black with white skins as they march along
and they have a couple of nutcracker, um, soldiers marching

(01:37:00):
along beside them. Also following the rocket performing arts. They
use dance, drama, and singing as tools to improve health
and wellbeing of the local community. Their outfits today are
brown skirts and tops, brown trousers and furry white leg
warmers and white sneakers as they roll their hands over

(01:37:21):
each other and go along the road. They're standing in
formation now, and one person at the end of the
line puts his arms up and turns to the left,
and as he comes down, the next person does. So
it's kind of a rolling line along as they march along.

S8 (01:37:35):
And his Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe, designed by Carrie Lindsay.
This is the Christmas shop float. Wow. Shelves full of toys,
ornaments and golden baubles. Tinsel, stars and trees. Trees hang
suspended from holly decorated wheels atop long poles. Small snowmen, toys,
a gray rocking horse, wreaths for your door, stockings and
Santa's toys surround the happy shoppers looking for their special gift.

(01:37:57):
A long wooden counter has an old fashioned till and
the shopkeeper wears a festive red vest. People are busy
shopping but wave to us too. The gift of giving.
Giving of gifts is a tradition at Christmas time and
after the pageant. Today there is another local tradition where
South Australians will put up their Christmas trees.

S3 (01:38:12):
Yeah, Christmas pageant day is finally my excuse to play
Christmas music at, uh, at the office. But mind you,
my ringtone on the phone on my desk is actually
Christmas carols. It's just all year round for me. I'm
a bit of a Christmas. Tragic. Oh. Very good. We
have the young Adelaide voices coming along, directed by Kristi Anderson.

(01:38:33):
Internationally recognized choir from right here in Adelaide. Singing Christmas
carols is another way to celebrate love at Christmas. Their
uniform today black trousers and a sky blue t shirts
with gold tinsel in their hair and following them is
a trolley with presents and a stylized green Christmas tree

(01:38:53):
With the speaker giving him the music as they sing along.
So what you can hear are these beautiful Adelaide voices singing.
Why don't you join them in singing along?

S8 (01:39:06):
Following them is Nipper and nimble. Nipper is a small,
dark brown wooden carousel horse with a black mane and
a long black tail. Nippers front left hoof is raised
mid prance. Nipper was in the 1933 pageant and first
at the Magic Cave in 1926. Thousands of South Australian
children have ridden Nipper since then, but only one child
each year is chosen for the privilege of riding Nipper

(01:39:27):
in the Christmas pageant. This year that child is Jack.
What an honour for him. Wow. Behind Nipper in the
float is nimble, a dapple gray and white wooden carousel
horse with a white mane and a long white tail,
which is raised in excitement. Nimble black legs are bent
and the front leg left slightly raised, as if to
prepare for a flighty jump. Nimble first came to South
Australia in 1914, and it was also in the 1933

(01:39:50):
pageant parade. Today, laddie has the privilege of riding nimble
in the pageant.

S3 (01:39:57):
And the float is surrounded by beautiful fresh flowers too.
From Woodville Academy of Floral Design and other clubs. And
we're so grateful for the support from all sorts of
people in the community. Well, here comes Nellie. Nellie is
surrounded by people in beautiful southeastern costumes, saris that sparkle
in the sunshine. We have lovely gold brocade saris with

(01:40:23):
purple sashes and yellow sashes. Now, this Nellie has been
in the pageant for 60 times. She's now part of
the Bollywood wedding reception. And thank you to the Hein family,
who restored and ride Nellie in the pageant each year.
Nellie is a state icon of four, only four built
in the world. She's the only one still working. Fusion beats,

(01:40:46):
Adelaide's first Bollywood dance school, is on the mini set
with a bride and groom and a huge street wedding.
Nelly has a beautiful red cloth over her back with
gold embroidery and gold fringe. And Nelly is the only articulated, uh, float.
So it looks like a life size elephant is walking
down the street, but she has beautiful roller skates under

(01:41:08):
her feet that you can't actually see to give her
the gliding movement.

S1 (01:41:12):
Don't forget to keep on sending those shout outs. Use
the hashtag Vision Australia Radio. Tell us what's going on
at the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. You are listening to
the audio description podcast broadcast of the pageant on Vision
Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide.

S8 (01:41:26):
And next we have the London bus. This is another
authentic 1946 London bus started in the pageant in 1973. Uh,
Mary Poppins chimney sweeps, bag ladies, flower sellers, uh, all
presented by the Australian Classical Youth Ballet, directed by Michael Riggs,
formerly a principal with the English National Ballet in London. Uh,
those dancers are around it carrying parasols, pushing trolleys. Uh, no. Yeah.

(01:41:52):
There was a row of chimney sweeps, uh, carrying their
huge chimney sweeps over their shoulders. Um.

S3 (01:42:01):
Oh, and I can hear another drumline coming. This one
is the drumline. They've, uh, continue this strong tradition of
drum lines participating in the pageant and their costumes. Black
trousers with a bright teal stripes down the side. And
there are some fabulous dancers from J.L. Dance Productions dancing
along beside the drumline. They're in the same black trousers

(01:42:25):
with teal, uh, sparkly tops. And they have silver pom
poms and silver tinsel in their hair. The drumline, their
drums are white. They have black trousers, black top with
blue sleeves, and jaunty white hats, uh, as they come
along and dance along the street. I feel a bit

(01:42:46):
of a theme of getting me moving. Pompoms in the air.
The girls turn to the left. They'll turn to the right.
A skip in between and carry on down. They're doing
this the whole way. 3.5km of the pageant route in
Adelaide today. And they are dancing the whole way with

(01:43:07):
a couple of drum majors behind, waving large flags, a
blue one and a white one edged with silver tinsel.

S8 (01:43:15):
One of our new floats coming up, Flinders Port Holdings
pilot boat. This is a two thirds size replica of
a working pilot boat, like the ones busy down at
Port Adelaide. This yellow pilot boat has a dark grey
rubber bumper all around the top of the deck to
protect the boat, as it comes alongside huge cargo ships
to guide them into port. They bring in all sorts
of goods and services to help keep our state working
and thriving. Our huge welcome to the pageant family and

(01:43:37):
we are glad you are part of our great community
here in SA. Um, they are surrounded by more people
wearing Christmas uniforms in green and red, and people wearing
looks like boxes of toys around their waist.

S3 (01:43:52):
Those boxes are large shipping containers. Well, they're not that large.
They're kind of people sized instead of humongously big 40
foot containers. But yes, all part of the port.

S8 (01:44:01):
Many shipping containers coming along beside and more clowns coming along.
One clown has a green ukulele. I'm trying to get
high fives. Oh, and then shaking off the high five.
Didn't like that one clown in a pink wig clapping
and dancing along.

S3 (01:44:17):
Next we have dancers from the Australian Classical Youth Ballet,
again choreographed by Michael Riggs, and these characters are part
of the Nutcracker story. As they march along, we have
toy soldiers in dark blue pantaloon trousers, a white sash,
and a pale blue shiny long sleeve shirt with white
beret hats. We have some Cossack dancers in the middle

(01:44:40):
in red pantaloon trousers, white shirts and blue sashes, and
the girls in long blue skirts, red waistcoats and white
shirts with flowers in their hair. On the float of
The Nutcracker story, it's all in beautiful ice, and down
the front we have Clara in her white soft white dress,
tied with a blue ribbon at the waist. And we

(01:45:02):
have the king and queen at the back and blue
and purple nutcracker soldiers. In behind the float are other
members of the Classical Youth Ballet. And for every few minutes.
Every five minutes, the dancers at the front come round
the back of the float like a green room, while
other dancers run to the front and perform another part

(01:45:22):
of the Nutcracker story.

S8 (01:45:32):
Coming up is Christmas party time. The animals at the
Adelaide Zoo are preparing for their Christmas party, but the
lion who thinks he's the king is in for a
shock from elephant who's about to give him a spray
of water from his nose. Uh, the polar bear is
tangled in Christmas lights. Monkeys are popping Christmas poppers. Crocodile
chef has a Christmas pudding. And the penguin and the

(01:45:52):
elephant all on top. Uh, all on a moving turntable.
Very chaotic Christmas scene.

S3 (01:46:01):
Coming up. Christmas by the pool. Neighbors have come to
the yearly Christmas party, and their gaudy Christmas shirts say
water is encouraging everyone to BYOB. Bring your own bottle
this year with SA water filling stations along the pageant route.
Designed by Carrie Lindsay, the float uses real living lawn.
The pot plants are real, garden vegetables are real, the

(01:46:21):
lawns real. And that's real water coming out of those hoses.
Good clean SA water. So we have a blow up
pool in the front with kids in their, um, swimming costumes.
We have someone up the top of the slide about
to go into the pool. We have the barbecue cooking
on the back deck and mum and dad sitting down
and about to have some Christmas lunch, walking beside the floats,

(01:46:43):
people in bright shorts of blue, red or yellow and
Christmas shirts, and someone even has a blow up ring
of a rubber ducky around them as they head off
to the pool.

S8 (01:46:58):
Small clowns dancing along in between with bright yellow wigs,
putting their hands up, doing cartwheels.

S1 (01:47:07):
And on Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide, you're listening
to the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast. It's
coming up to 13 to 11. What have we seen
so far that we've enjoyed the most? I must admit
I'm always Nipper and Nimble's always a feature of the pageant.

S3 (01:47:23):
And we've got more coming to.

S8 (01:47:26):
Uh, coming up is the City of Elizabeth Pipe Band.
The City of Elizabeth Pipe Band is established in 1965,
and they wear the Royal Stewart tartan, uh, which is
black shirt and red tartan kilt, and the band is
always looking for new members with experience and learners. Following
them is Dancers by Donna, an eclectic dance school inspiring

(01:47:48):
confidence in all its dancers. They provide entertainment and floor
shows for many community and charity events. Give back to
the community wherever possible and they are wearing a very
traditional marching band outfit with white pants with red stripe
down the side, a red shirt with yellow epaulettes and
high black hats with white feathers at the top, and
they are carrying toy instruments as they dance from side

(01:48:10):
to side and skip along the road.

S3 (01:48:15):
Coming along now are some fabulous dancers and they will
be featuring in front of a new mini float. It's
called Made with Love and Sprinkles and it's designed by
Oakley Formosa from Redwood Park Primary School. The dancers are
in red and white tutus and they have red and
white striped tops, their hair pulled back in two ponytails

(01:48:37):
with green tinsel at the top. They each have a
red and white lollipop on a long green stick that
they hold as wands as they march down the street
and behind them. Made with love and sprinkles, it's a
lovely little mini float featuring chocolate chip cookies, lollies in
a jar marked reindeer treats and represents leaving some snacks

(01:48:59):
for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve. The mini float competition
started in 2007 and winners received prize money. A Blue
Line reserve spot on the passionfruit. Definitely part of good
to be part of that.

S8 (01:49:11):
Oh, excellent. Love those cookies. Coming up is the nativity float,
designed by Kari Lindsay. Uh, on this there's the nativity
scene in the centre with Mary. Joseph and Jesus are
surrounded by, uh, cattle and some hay, and they have
angels walking around beside them. Uh, people all dressed in
white with little white halos and little white wings, some

(01:49:32):
of them carrying harps.

S3 (01:49:34):
And quickly followed by the Christmas Star. Here comes the
Christmas star, representing peace on earth and goodwill to all.
The eight pointed silver blue star is set against swathes
of midnight blue velvet, studded with tiny twinkling lights. And
around the floats, star men from the Australian Classical Youth
Ballet raise their hats, saluting to the crowd and the universe.
Their navy blue suits, hats and ties are covered in

(01:49:56):
sparkling stars.

S8 (01:49:59):
Oh, and coming up, there are three real live camels
all in a row. Uh, they are wearing saddles, and
they each have, I think, a wise man on the back, uh,
waving at the audience. Um, and they are followed by
the Australian Girls Choir. Australian Girls Choir started with 150
girls and now has 4000 around the country. The choir

(01:50:21):
has worked with superstars, royalty and many dignitaries around the world.
They have audiences with the Pope, the King of Tonga,
and they've performed for Queen Elizabeth II. And for US
President Obama in Canberra, as well as the opera House
in Hanoi. They are wearing their black uniforms with pink
logo on the front. And as they sing, they're projected
through speakers on the back, which is a little tree

(01:50:42):
with a star up the top. And the star is
the speaker.

S3 (01:50:46):
I might just let them sing as they go past
for a moment.

S17 (01:50:50):
My head.

S3 (01:50:54):
And of course, they came to the end of their song.
Right now, the snow dome designed by Carrie Lindsay, the
snow domes pulled by a bright red tractor driven by
an elf. Inside the huge misty snow dome, snowflakes swirl
around the snowman family. White round bodies and white round
heads wearing striped scarves, black top hats and beanies and
have pointy orange noses and bright black eyes. The float

(01:51:15):
is surrounded by people in red and green outfits with
large snowflake buttons, and they all wear red and white
striped knitted hats and really long ends, reaching to their
knees and ending in a white pom pom as they
walk by. They have small snowflakes falling from their white gloves.

S1 (01:51:31):
We have another shout out here. This one's from Jude Gaffney. Hi. Uh,
listening in from Hindmarsh Island. Nice bit of the world. Thanks.
Vision Australia radio and access to ours for the experience.
And that was Jude and Rohan. Thank you very much.
I've also had a, um. There should have been using
the hashtag Vision Australia Radio. Hint, hint if you want
to share a text message. Jane, a good friend of

(01:51:52):
mine is on float 73 and has asked for a
shout out as yeah as well. Um, use the hashtag
Vision Australia Radio as well. Tell us what's going on
and what you're feeling today on pageant day. We're through.
We've only got 20 floats to go. I can't believe it.
I can't believe it. Father Christmas is getting close.

S3 (01:52:08):
What is that clown dragging along the ground? He's running
along in a yellow and blue outfit with a bright
blue hat.

S8 (01:52:17):
I think he's broken his guitar in half, and he's
dragging it along by the strings. And he's saying, oh, no!

S3 (01:52:23):
Oh, dear. He won't be able to join the band.

S8 (01:52:26):
I know this is the Tea Tree Gully Redbacks band.
The Redbacks perform all over SA, Australia and overseas. They're
based in the north east of Adelaide and they welcome
musicians from 13 years of age. They do have bright
red shirts and black pants, and they're playing all the
brass instruments in the front. Also, there's a woodwind in
the front, flute, saxophone, trombone, tuba, lots of drums at

(01:52:49):
the back. And they are followed by the South Australian
Precision Team, which provides professional event specific dance entertainment across
South Australia. They've performed at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
and represented South Australia in the UK, China and the
USA and they are wearing blue uniforms with white stars
on them and little red accents, and they are waving

(01:53:10):
at the audience.

S3 (01:53:21):
Here is Fergus, the North Pole fire engine, his bright
red fire truck with gold front grill, gold eyes sticking
up the front of the bonnet and a big gold.
Numbers three and two on the side. Two lucky children
sit in the cabin in the driver's seat. Large, extendable
silver ladder sits out over the top of the cabin
and there are a couple of elves. They've hitched a
ride in that oversized ladder, shooting snow over the crowd.

(01:53:45):
Firefighters in yellow hats, green oversized jackets with yellow horizontal stripes,
yellow pants, and big black fireman's boots up to their knees.
Walk along beside Fergus.

S8 (01:53:55):
The yuletide skaters coming up behind on roller skates wearing
red shirts with white pinafores and skirts. Skate SA consists
of four disciplines represented here today artistic skating, speed skating,
roller derby, and participation of recreational skaters. Most of these
skaters have represented South Australia at national competitions and Australia

(01:54:15):
at Oceania level. Skate SA is the peak body for
all skate sports in South Australia. If you get roller
skates for Christmas, make sure you wear your helmet and pads.

S3 (01:54:24):
Absolutely.

S1 (01:54:26):
And on Vision Australia radio and Radio Adelaide. This is
the 2025 Adelaide Christmas Pageant. Audio description broadcast a few
more of the wonderful shout outs we've got coming through.
Please keep them coming through using the hashtag Vision Australia Radio,
on social media and on Facebook. Big love to the
team at Vision Australia Radio and Radio Adelaide. Bringing the
magic of the pageant to our radio. We're listening from

(01:54:47):
Norwood with mince pies and coffee. That was from Emmeryn Lou.

S3 (01:54:51):
Um.

S1 (01:54:52):
I could go for a mince pie right about now.
Alright you guys, and happy Christmas pageant day. Everyone listening
from our backyard in Salisbury. A nice sunny morning. That's
from the Nguyen family. Meanwhile, Merry Christmas from Marion. Loving
the audio description. Feels like I'm right there on King
William Street. That was from Sarah and Rob. Please keep
those shout outs coming through using the hashtag Vision Australia Radio.

S3 (01:55:14):
Beautiful. The next float we have is Sounds of Christmas.
This has been designed by Dave Clarke as a performance
float to allow different performance groups to appear each year.
And this year we welcome Ding Productions presenting incognito. They
are in 1950s outfits of dark pink and black. Check.
Black and white? Check. And walking along beside them clowns
in bright rainbow colored top hats, green tops, and pink

(01:55:38):
and blue trousers. The last one has flouncy rainbow trousers. Oh,
there's another one in Flouncy rainbow trousers as well, and
sparkles on their vest.

S8 (01:55:49):
Oh, what better way to get to a Christmas party
than in the Christmas limousine? Coming up now. Uh, it's
a bright red limousine with flared green mudguards and a
golden front grille. It's a soft top convertible. The top
is down. Uh, there are two very large elves around
three meters high, which look like they are driving the
float at a pointy pixie ears and pointy noses, bright
red and green hats with red triangles sticking up from

(01:56:11):
the hat bands and green collars. Their bright tops have
golden swirls and stripy sleeves, and they each hold a
large golden Christmas bauble as they drive along. There are
20 children with their parents, all dressed up and ready
for a party in the Christmas limousine. Our lucky winners
of the competition from national pharmacies.

S3 (01:56:29):
The list keeper is a fabulous float by Dave Blight.
Are you on the naughty or the nice list? The
list keeper sits cross-legged on his float, wears a long,
pointy brown hat with a high brim, and the point
flops forward over his forehead and a tiny gold bell
on the end. His pointy pixie ears and bushy gray
eyebrows peek out from under his hat. His long, grey
Confucius beard falls away down to his lap. He wears

(01:56:50):
a purple Manchurian style jacket with turquoise collar and piping
on his shoulders, and he wears Burgundy leggings and soft
moccasins with long, pointy turned up toes. His beady eyes
look intently through round, wire rimmed glasses at the parchment
that he holds in his left hand, while his right
hand holds up the gilt edged quill pen, poised ready
to place a tick or a cross on his list.
People walking alongside the list keeper are dressed in dark

(01:57:12):
turquoise dress trousers with black velvet vests and gold piping,
turquoise shoulder epaulettes, all topped off with black and gold
floppy caps.

S1 (01:57:21):
And we've got a message here. Great broadcast, but, Mr. Starr,
will I be able to hear it back later? Yes
you can. You'll be able to find the podcast on
the Vision Australia Radio website that's Radio Australia. That address
again is Radio Vision Australia. You'll be able to listen
back and enjoy all the excitement, the energy of the
Christmas pageant all the way up to the lead up

(01:57:42):
to Christmas. Now, Carrie, what do we see going on,
I think, is that someone? Is that someone with. What
are they doing down there? What's what's that clown doing
down there?

S3 (01:57:51):
Well, there's a clown with a present, and I think
he's pinched it from under his Christmas tree because he's
rattling it, trying to work out what's in it before
Christmas Day. You're not supposed to do that, are you?
And there's someone else. They've already unwrapped their present. They've
got a little soft toy, and they're showing everybody how
fabulous it is. And he's encouraging the crowd to count
down as we have another pipe band approaching.

S8 (01:58:12):
Coming up at the City of Adelaide pipe band in
striking uniforms of blue Ramsey tartan. Uh, teaching young people
to play the bagpipes and drums is a priority for
them in 2019. The band performed in France at the
world's largest festival of Celtic music and dance. Um, and
they are wearing blue and black tartan kilts with, uh,
white shirts and black waistcoats. Playing the bagpipes at the

(01:58:34):
front and then followed by people on drums. Then Empire
Dance Studio is coming up behind them in red uniforms.
They are in Broadview. They most recently returned from the
2023 Dance World Championships held in Florida, and they placed
sixth in the world for hip hop and ninth in
the world for jazz. Uh, they're wearing little red uniforms
with red skirts and, uh, gold edging, like they're in

(01:58:58):
a little marching band themselves. Oh, they bop down side dancing,
clapping their hands together, going to one side, off to
the left, off to the right. Punching the air, kicking
the legs up.

S3 (01:59:10):
And coming along we can hear the raucous noise of
the the road train coming along. This is a new
float designed by Cory Lindsey and built by Cory and
the Amazing Elves at Stardust Castle. The Road Train is
a big shout out to the various regions of South Australia,
reflects the distance that so many people cross at Christmas time,
just to be with their loved ones. The Outback is

(01:59:32):
getting excited for Christmas and of course it's the 12
days of Christmas. Numbers 1 to 12 are about 1.5m
tall in either red or green. Each number features an
Aussie animal close to life size. A kookaburra perches on
top of the one a koala, a gala opossum, a
goanna kangaroo. A magpie flutters in front of number eight.
A wombat climbs through the circle in the nine, platypus

(01:59:54):
scurries away from the number ten and emu struts near
number 11, and an echidna crouches in the bottom of
the two of 12, the 12 days of Christmas marching
along beside them plaid shirts, cowboy hats, bright trousers of
blue and red and yellow and orange as they wave
to everyone, as they walk down the street all the

(02:00:18):
way from the outback.

S8 (02:00:19):
And here is a big clock we are counting down
to Christmas. The countdown to Christmas as they sought out presents. This,
this this float is designed by Kari Lindsay and produced
together with the elves at Stardust Castle. It's a huge
clock at the back of the float, counting down the
seconds to the big day. The face of the clock
marks out the months and days in checkerboard, silver and gold,
and mechanics of the clock can be seen in a

(02:00:40):
steampunk style and surrounded by Christmas elves holding presents.

S1 (02:00:47):
And coming up as friend of Vision Australia Radio radio
Rachael Leahcar as well. I believe she'll be on the
next float, which is Christmas Carousel, I believe.

S3 (02:00:57):
Designed by Kari Lindsay, the Christmas Carousel is a favourite
ride for children around the world. Our carousel is set
by the seaside for a summery Christmas, and is lucky
enough to have indeed Rachael leahcar out front in a
gold glittery dress singing Jingle Bell Rock. Rachel is a
singer songwriter from right here in Adelaide. She rose to
fame on the first season of The Voice Australia. Do

(02:01:18):
we want to listen to her sing a little bit?
We've got just a moment. And there's some lucky children
sitting on the carousel as that spins around and followed
by people heading off to the seaside for their Christmas break.

S8 (02:01:43):
Oh, not very much like the seaside. We have Christmas
in the snow. Designed by Carrie Lindsay. Where do Aussie
animals go for holidays when it gets too hot in Australia? Uh,
this is a Christmas in the snow is a long
float with an igloo in the back. A cassowary and
an emu sticking their heads out of the roof of
the igloo. On the snowy steps in front of the igloo,
a possum with a Christmas scarf makes some snowmen. A

(02:02:04):
turtle and a platypus go sliding down a snowy hill
and a sugar glider skis next to them. Off to
one side is a big goanna, a penguin and a cockatoo,
all in red and green scarves.

S3 (02:02:15):
Next up, keeping that winter theme winter wonderland. Christmas in
Australia means t shirts and shorts, sunblock and beaches. But
a big shout out to all of our friends across
the world spending Christmas in the snow. And a big
invite to come down under and visit us in Adelaide
next year. Where it's hot and sunny. The float is
of a snowy Christmas Eve in the northern hemisphere, roasting chestnuts,
a lamplighter and sleigh rides. A dark brown horse prances along,

(02:02:38):
pulling an ornate wooden sleigh for two as they glide
over a slate bridge with snow on the ground and
along the top edges of the bridge. In the sleigh,
the driver wears a glossy top hat and thick, warm coat.
His companion wears a furry hat, woollen coat, and a
bright red lap rug to keep her warm under a
lamp beside the bridge, another woman, warmly dressed against the
northern winters, smiles and waves.

S8 (02:02:58):
And here is the 10th 27th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Band, uh,
in brown uniforms with brown hats. Their instruments have been
decorated with big gold bows and red tinsel, and they
are followed by dancers by Donna. It's billed as a
primary focus to develop confidence in front of a crowd
and having fun, and the Dancers by Donna dancers are

(02:03:19):
wearing little pink frilly skirts and are carrying tiny white parasols.
Are followed by one dancer in a pink suit jacket.
It's very shiny and black pants.

S3 (02:03:37):
Harry the Happy Elf is spreading joy this Christmas. Designed
and built by renowned local artist Dave Clark. And he's
the one that designed Izzy the Dinosaur. Harry is mid
belly laugh with his feet in the air. He leans back,
his wide mouth open in laughter as he juggles small presents,
one in each hand lifted high in the air. He's
wearing a bright blue top with green pants, a red

(02:03:58):
star collar, red hat, and red pointy elf shoots, and
his pointy elf ears poke out from under his hat.
The float is filled with Christmas presents and baubles, and
even the driver on the float is dressed like Harry,
grinning and waving, as are the others walking around his float.
Happy Christmas Harry!

S8 (02:04:15):
Oh, here's another mini float. The float. Let it snow.
It's a snowman being pushed by and surrounded by the
Mitchum Dance Infinity Dancers. This program focuses on confidence, skills,
and stage presence, and includes mini, ignite and elite teams
with different age groups and classes around the snowman of
the dancers in their red uniforms, with skirts trimmed in

(02:04:36):
silver and green. For Christmas, they're waving at the audience.

S1 (02:04:41):
Not long to go now. I think there's five floats
to go, so the excitement is building.

S3 (02:04:47):
A beautiful Christmas stocking. Probably the biggest stocking I have
ever seen. It's lying on its side, made of red mesh,
with a picture of Santa poking out the top full
of toys, bears, cars, dolls, guitars and spinners, and scattered
all around are even more toys, Lego building blocks, a tricycle, teddies,
a small brown piano, blue drums, a silk lined music
box and a little pink bruto as well. I love

(02:05:10):
the stockings of that. Uh. It represents the stockings that
people can get at the magic cave.

S8 (02:05:17):
I would like to have a stocking that large. Uh,
and speaking of Christmas decorations, here's a Christmas tree. Ah,
it stands at 4.2m tall and rotates as it travels
along its route. The dark green fir tree is decorated
in yellow, green, red and gold baubles with silver stars
and red and white, red and white striped candy canes
as well. And around the bottom of the tree are

(02:05:39):
scattered wrapped presents in gold paper with red bows and
blue paper with silver bows. Interspersed between the presents are
lots and lucky little children, all dressed up as Christmas
tree angels. Um, little green and red outfits. Um, and
there are people walking alongside, also holding some presents. Oh,
and people following along also dressed as Christmas trees with

(02:06:03):
wide green hula hoop skirts.

S3 (02:06:05):
As we said earlier, after today the tradition here in
Adelaide is put up your Christmas trees. You're going to
be doing that. Next up, the Stardust Castle. It's where
magic happens every year, spreading the gift of wishes and wonder.
Designed by Gary Lee Gaston as a highly respected portrait
and landscape artist here in South Australia, there are over
600 stars on Stardust Castle, two princesses dressed in lavender

(02:06:27):
with sparkling tiaras on their heads look out over the
blue castle walls, waving to the crowd. The drawbridge is
down on this fairytale castle, and ten purple towers with
sky blue bases rise into the sky. Fairy princesses walk
beside the with silver stars and purple outfits with silver tiaras.

S8 (02:06:46):
I hear another bang coming up. This is the Royal
Australian Navy Band, South Australia. In their white navy uniforms
and hats. The conductor has a big broad sash across
his chest and is carrying a large silver scepter. The
band's main role is naval ceremonial support to the HMS encounter,
as several ensembles including big band, cover band, jazz ensemble, brass,

(02:07:07):
saxophone and clarinet ensembles, and they are followed by Prestige
Dance Academy, which trained students from beginner professional ballet levels
to final stages. In advanced ballet, students have been accepted
into all major performing arts degree courses in Australia, and
they are wearing a white tulle skirts and red tops,
and they're carrying little stars with ones that end in

(02:07:30):
little red Christmas stars, aren't they?

S3 (02:07:32):
Gold gloves. Beautiful. They come all the way up to
their elbows.

S8 (02:07:35):
They look so graceful.

S3 (02:07:36):
Gorgeous. And now, the moment we've all been waiting for.
The official honoured guest of the day. The man in red,
the jolly ho ho. Merry Christmas to all. Here's Santa,
the float designed by Dave Blight. The float takes 18
weeks to build by the elves at Stardust Castle. Father
Christmas has officially arrived for his visit to South Australia

(02:07:57):
in 2025 with Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, comet
and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen and of course, Rudolph
with his red nose. Father Christmas will continue on the
pageant route from here and be greeted at Beehive Corner,
at the western end of Rundle Mall by the pageant
Queen Lisa and King Dave. His pageant is made of
beautiful white icicles, and there are large icicles pointing up

(02:08:21):
and at the back of the float, one huge four
metre high um, snowflake and the Snow princesses are walking
along beside, in behind. We have, uh, the ranks of
South Australia Police walking along a couple of bicycle police
as well, and emergency services, the ambulance as all their
lights flashing with red tinsel and silver tinsel and a

(02:08:44):
couple of beautiful police greys along behind as the police
officers wave. And now it's time for the big clean up.
The Lord mayor of the City of Adelaide, Honourable Jane Lomax-smith,
will welcome Father Christmas and he'll transfer onto the Jolly
and Jingles float. Travel east along the mall all the
way to Gawler Place for more official duties to mark
his arrival in Adelaide.

S1 (02:09:06):
Well, what excitement we've seen today. That was the 2025
and Radio Adelaide. A few more shout outs coming through.
Hey Vision Australia radio. We're tuned in from prospect with
the whole family. The commentary has really brought the float
that floats to life, and we've got one more that's
just popped up here as well. Listening live from Tea

(02:09:28):
Tree Gully, thanks to Radio Adelaide and Vision Australia Radio
for making the parade accessible to everyone. Don't forget to
keep on sharing your shout outs using the hashtag Vision
Australia Radio. Oh one more's just come through. Thank you
very much. Hi from West Lakeshore. My grandkids and I
are loving every minute. The commentary is brilliant. Thanks, Diane. Well,
thank you, Diane for that wonderful compliment. Meg, thank you

(02:09:50):
to both of you for a wonderful the audio description
of the pageant today.

S3 (02:09:54):
Any pleasure?

S1 (02:09:55):
Any favorite floats that you saw? What was your favorite?

S3 (02:09:57):
Just everything. Just everything. I love it. I can't get
enough of it. I just want to definitely go home
and watch the pageant again.

S1 (02:10:03):
Meg.

S8 (02:10:04):
Yeah. I'm going to go home and put my Christmas
tree up.

S1 (02:10:06):
It's about to say who's going to be. It's going
to be a race to get the the Christmas tree
out this afternoon.

S3 (02:10:10):
With mince pies, of course with.

S1 (02:10:11):
Mince pies. That'll be so we'll be scooting down to
the shops beforehand to pick up some mince pies after
we're off air. Um, look, these broadcasts are possible without
support of some wonderful people. We've been broadcasting live from
the second floor balcony of the Wakefield Street fire station.
And so again, we do we would like to say
some thank yous here. So again, acknowledge the producer of
today's live broadcast and our broadcast engineers as well. So

(02:10:35):
Dale Simpson, Indigo Wood and Hakeem Orton, thank you very
much everyone. A big round of applause.

S18 (02:10:41):
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

S1 (02:10:43):
And additional thanks as well to Ruth Weldon and Becky
Young from Access to Arts and Peter Gardner and Andrew
Chandler from the Metropolitan Fire Service and the entire team
here today. Thank you very much for hosting us on
your balcony. I think we've had the best view in Adelaide.

S3 (02:10:57):
I agree.

S1 (02:10:58):
I think we have.

S3 (02:10:58):
Can we just do a quick shout out to Brian
Gilbertson and the team? Um, they welcomed us along there
during the week to get all of our notes for the, uh,
for the Christmas pageant, and we are really grateful for that.

S1 (02:11:08):
Yes. Mr.. Brian Gilbertson, as you said, from the South
Australian Tourism Commission, we've also got Clayton Werner from Radio
Adelaide and Tim Borgas from the South Australian Community Broadcasters Association.
Thank you to all of you for making this broadcast possible.
We couldn't do it without you. So again, a big
thank you to our supporters there. Uh, this production today
has been a partnership between Access to Arts, Vision Australia

(02:11:30):
Radio and Radio Adelaide, and again with support from the
South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service and the South, the South
Australian Tourism Commission and the Lions Club of the City
of Adelaide. We will close out today's broadcast with a
wonderful Christmas song. I'm Matt Bell, thank you to our
wonderful audio describers, Carey Carrie Seeley and Meg Riley. Thank
you to the both of you.

S8 (02:11:49):
Thank you.

S3 (02:11:50):
Pleasure.

S1 (02:11:50):
Thank you. We will close out now with the idea
of north by this Christmas. Merry Christmas.

S19 (02:11:58):
Da da da da da da da da da da
da da da da da da da da da da
da da da da da da da da. Hang on
the mistletoe. I'm gonna get to know you better. This Christmas.

(02:12:22):
And as we trim the tree. How much fun it's
gonna be together. This Christmas.

S4 (02:12:32):
Fireside is blazing.

S6 (02:12:34):
Bright.

S19 (02:12:37):
We're carolling through.

S4 (02:12:39):
The.

S19 (02:12:39):
Night. And this Christmas we.

S4 (02:12:44):
Will be.

S19 (02:12:46):
A very special Christmas for me. Baba baba baba baba
da da da da. Presents and cards are here. My

(02:13:09):
world is filled with cheer.

S4 (02:13:11):
And you.

S19 (02:13:14):
This Christmas. And as I look around. Your eyes.

S4 (02:13:20):
Are shining.

S19 (02:13:21):
Down. They do. This Christmas fireside is blazing bright. We're
Carolyn through the night. And this Christmas we will be
very special Christmas.

S4 (02:13:42):
Us.

S19 (02:13:43):
For me, and this Christmas will be our very special
Christmas for me. This Christmas we'll be. It'll be a

(02:14:41):
very special Christmas for me. And this Christmas will be
a very special Christmas for me. Baba baba baba baba

(02:15:04):
da da.

S20 (02:15:31):
She remembered how the Christmas bush they planted from a cutting.
Took in that sunny little corner of the yard. It
was touch and go for a year or two, but

(02:15:51):
the love and care that Bush pulled through and every
December her blossoms come to life. All Christmas bush, all
Christmas bush. Your beauty lights the summer and ushers in

(02:16:14):
this special time of year. O Christmas bush o Christmas
bush s every little flower is there to tell us
Christmas time is here. That little bush became a tree.

(02:16:40):
They became a family. The children played beneath her in
the shade. The years slipped by. They grew to learn.
The children grow and seasons turn. They'd cut a little blossom.

(02:17:03):
And wait for Christmas morning. O Christmas bush O Christmas bush.
Your beauty lies the summer blushes. In this special time
of year. O Christmas bush O Christmas bush. Every little

(02:17:31):
flower is there to tell us Last Christmas. Time is here.

(02:17:53):
So God is in the hot north breeze. New buds
on the Christmas trees. Pink and orange. Set to burst
across the sunburnt land. All Christmas bush, all Christmas bush.

(02:18:14):
Your beauty lights. The summer ushers in this special time
of year. O Christmas bush o Christmas bush, every little
flower Love is there to tell us Christmas time is here.

(02:18:42):
It's there to tell us Christmas time is here.

S15 (02:18:59):
When Christmas comes.

S19 (02:19:01):
Around.

S15 (02:19:02):
We'll.

S21 (02:19:02):
Have crops in the ground. We'll be harvesting the wheat
while the sun beats down. Fire up the wheat truck
to the silo in the town. Everything will be alright
when Christmas comes around. We've been waiting for the late

(02:19:32):
spring rains. It's been hot and dry and dusty working
on the western plains. A wedge tailed eagle soars above
the rusted water tank. There's a newborn lamb dying on
the parched dam bank. My family worked this block for

(02:19:54):
50 years through all these harsh conditions, with blood and
sweat and tears. My brother tossed it in for an
office in the town. But I'd never trade this life.
Though some times it gets me down. When Christmas comes around,

(02:20:16):
we'll have rocks in the ground. We'll be harvesting the
wheat while the sun beats down. Fire up below. We
truck to the silo in the town. Everything will be
alright when Christmas comes around. It's been hard with the

(02:20:43):
price of wheat so low and the bales of wool
I stockpiled on the wharf. No place to go. There's
tension in the family and the bills are piled high.
I spend a lot of time alone. My poor wife
wonders why the grapes of wrath are growing inside this

(02:21:07):
troubled heart. Times like these cut to the bone and
tear your soul apart. It's a love that keeps me going.
And picks me up again. And the fire in my soul.
Warms the blood in my veins. When Christmas comes around.

(02:21:28):
We'll have crops in the ground. We'll be harvesting the
wheat while the sun beats down. Fire up the wheat
truck to the silo in the town. Everything will be
all right when Christmas comes around. The children write their letters.

(02:21:50):
Father Christmas never answers. They dream at night of brand
new bikes and tiny fairy dances. What are the chances?
Maybe next year. What's the chances? We'll still be here
when Christmas comes around. We'll have crops in the ground.

(02:22:14):
We'll be harvesting the wheat while the sun beats down.
Fire up bellow. We try till the silo in the town. Um.
Everything will be all right when Christmas comes around. When
Christmas comes around, we'll have rocks in the ground. We'll

(02:22:37):
be harvesting the wheat while the sun beats down far off.
Though we try to silo in the town. Everything will
be all right when Christmas comes around.

S22 (02:23:15):
Santa arrives in his horse drawn cart. Although it's real hot,
he's still playing the part. He parks in the shade
of the coolabah tree. Ross ho ho ho that slaps
his knee. The kids gather round in their thongs and
their shorts, black, white and brindle. They come in all sorts.

(02:23:36):
The presents come out and they're beauties. No fear. Santa
steps down and says, give us a beer. And I say, boys,
Christmas is a fabulous one. No sign of snow. Just
hot Aussie sun. But that doesn't matter. Cause this time
of year, Christmas is Christmas even out here. On mutton

(02:24:02):
and damper and choking. Wild duck on soft paper plates
off the back of the truck. The Coolgardie safe just
loaded with beer. Enough liquid ambers to last till New Year.
The pavlovas melting. The dogs think it's grouse. They've already
had half of it under the house. Young Mick Moloney

(02:24:24):
comes down the track. He works in the city but
he always comes back. An Aussie bush Christmas is a
fabulous one. No sign of snow. Just out of the sun.
But that doesn't matter. Cause this time of year. Christmas
is Christmas. Even out here. We're ready to leave. And

(02:24:49):
the truck's loaded up. There's nothing much left except some
newspaper cups. Old Paddy Maloney's asleep by a lot. When
he wakes up, he is sick as a dog. The
Spirit of Christmas was with us today. No fir trees,
no tinsel. Just smiles and get out. But Christmas is Christmas.

(02:25:15):
Whether big, whether small and an Aussie bush. Boys, Christmas
is the best one of all an Aussie. Christmas is
a fabulous one. No sign of snow, just part of
the sun. But that doesn't matter because this time of year,
Christmas is Christmas. Even out here. Aussie bush Christmas is

(02:25:39):
a fabulous one. No sign of snow, just hot Aussie sun.
But that doesn't matter cause this time of year Christmas
is Christmas even out here. Merry Christmas.

S21 (02:26:20):
Combo. She and battler weary.

S15 (02:26:24):
And.

S21 (02:26:24):
Tired. We've struggled.

S15 (02:26:26):
This year.

S21 (02:26:27):
To.

S22 (02:26:27):
Pull through.

S21 (02:26:29):
With candles alight. You're remembered tonight and we want to
share Christmas with you.

S22 (02:26:41):
We've seen.

S15 (02:26:42):
Your rivers.

S22 (02:26:43):
And golf.

S21 (02:26:44):
All your dreams. Those flood waters none could subdue. But
we'll stand by the bush. And we know you press.

S22 (02:26:53):
On.

S21 (02:26:54):
And we want to share Christmas with you.

S22 (02:26:59):
It's Christmas.

S21 (02:27:00):
Across this great southern.

S11 (02:27:02):
Land.

S21 (02:27:03):
We pray that our songs will ring true. We remember
the bush and her children tonight. And we want to
share Christmas with you. Yeah. We want to share Christmas
with you. Who can hold back the waters or hold

(02:27:42):
back the tears when the merciless floods break through? Our
prayer is for peace and the will to go on.
And we want to share Christmas with you. It's Christmas
across this great southern land. We pray that our songs

(02:28:03):
will ring true. We remember the bush and her children tonight.
And we want to share Christmas with you. Yeah. We
want to share Christmas with you.

S23 (02:28:35):
And, Lord, God bless the bush. Thank you very much.

S19 (02:28:38):
Merry.

S4 (02:28:39):
Merry Christmas.

S19 (02:28:41):
Christmas time is here. Merry, merry.

S4 (02:28:45):
Christmas.

S24 (02:28:46):
And a happy new year. Worked all year from dawn
till dusk. To keep the family fed. You've earned a break. Well,
come on back. Leave the tractor in the shed. Merry,
merry Christmas Christmas time is here. Merry, merry Christmas. And

(02:29:10):
a happy new year.

S20 (02:29:13):
Hey, you boys out in Timber Creek and all across
the top I fire up the Utes.

S24 (02:29:20):
And shine your boots. Let's party till we drop.

S19 (02:29:25):
Merry, merry.

S20 (02:29:26):
Christmas.

S19 (02:29:27):
Christmas time is here. Merry, merry Christmas. Happy new year.

S21 (02:29:59):
Through wind and rain and heat and dust. More than
paid your dues. It's Christmas.

S25 (02:30:06):
Time. And you've earned the right to knock back 1
or 2.

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