Reporter’s Diary (Press, 28 December 1982)

On 28 December 1982, Dick Wilson from the Fire Service in Christchurch celebrated a significant milestone in his career. He achieved a rare statistical "double" at the control room located in Kilmore Street. On Christmas Day in 1972, Wilson was on the switchboard when the Fire Service marked its 3000th call for the year. Fast forward ten years to Christmas Eve of 1982, and he was the control room supervisor when the Fire Service received its 4000th call. This increase highlights the increasing demand for emergency services in the Christchurch area, which also mobilises volunteer brigades from Ashburton to Kaikoura. In Wellington, the local lesbian community made headlines with an unconventional festive greeting displayed on posters throughout the city, proclaiming: "Peace on Earth and Goodbye to All Men." The phrase created a stir among a mixed group of individuals, with one man expressing irritation over the message, while a woman responded with a wit that suggested the men's worth was more than just their role in reproduction. The exchange concluded with an elderly man reflecting humorously on the holiday season, remarking that Christmas only comes once a year, which he cheerfully endorsed. A humorous incident occurred when a Christchurch taxi driver, eager to learn Japanese to attract more tourists, received a "teach yourself" Japanese language book as a Christmas gift. When Japanese tourists hired his taxi, he pointed out the book and explained it was a Christmas present. His comment sparked excitement among the tourists, who rummaged through their bags and presented him with a glossy booklet on Japanese motorbike technology. However, the driver soon realised that his language book had been taken by the tourists as a souvenir from their trip. In Burgh Castle, Norfolk, a local playgroup attempted to stage a Nativity pageant but faced a lack of volunteer shepherds from the children. To encourage participation, the producer added a western twist by recasting the shepherds as cowboys, which successfully sparked interest and drew in young volunteers. The changing cultural landscape was also reflected in Newcastle, New South Wales, where a shipload of young sailors docked earlier that month. Unlike previous generations who might have rushed to tattoo parlours, seven out of the 29 cadets aboard the training ship Wyuna opted to have their ears pierced instead. Amid Australia's ongoing drought, the sense of humour adapted to the harsh circumstances. A roadside sign during a dust storm, cautioning drivers about a "paddock crossing highway," added a touch of dry comedy to the otherwise challenging conditions faced by the residents.

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