When was the last time you wrote (and sent) a letter to someone, and received a hand-written response?
With so much technology now at our fingertips, it now seems like a mammoth effort for a dying tradition, but Drayton Station’s Clinical Support Officer Nathan Brown has wholeheartedly embraced the hand cramps accompanying his letter writing and has even adopted a famous a nom-de-plume – Santa!
Last year when the Cambooya Post Office team said they’d removed their traditional red Santa’s North Pole post box as they had no one to respond to the little letter writers, Nathan stepped up.
“I just love Christmas – always have – and I felt it was something I could do to bring some Christmas joy to the children who take the time to write to Santa to make the experience more meaningful,” Nathan said.
“So, when the post box was dusted off and returned to its rightful place, I put out a message about Santa’s return on the online community noticeboards for Cambooya, Wyreema, Westbrook, and Greenmount, and also to include my friends and family.”
Last year Nathan responded to 86 children, and this year after word has got around, it’s more likely to be up around 200 and Nathan’s work is not about printing out a templated document.
“Every single letter is personalised,” he said.
“All of my writing is done in glitter pens to keep it special and when the kids post their letters, I get their parents to write a little note with personal insights, like, have their children been good at school, who their best friends are etc – as ‘Santa knows everything’.
“The only thing that all letters share is a line at the end of the letter which says ‘here’s one of my North Pole coins, hold it tight and make a wish’.”
Nathan said each letter has a special stamp, paper and envelope, which are returned to the Cambooya Post Office team which then sends them on to their little recipients.
“Christmas is one time of the year where you’re supposed to be happy, and this is my way of helping that happen.”
After his letter-writing Nathan won’t be kicking back in his Jason recliner, as this year he’ll be dressing up as the big man himself to visit the Toowoomba Base Hospital to bring some fun to its children’s ward on Christmas day.
“There are certainly times when my deep voice comes in handy, and this will be one of them!” he said.
