Families remember Christmastown’s history as a gold mining and farming town with a population of one
When miners discovered gold in north-eastern Victoria in December 1859, they must have thought all Christmases had come at once.
Their rich discovery led to the establishment of a mining settlement called Christmastown between Chiltern and Rutherglen.
Gold prospectors were optimistic that the discovery would lead to the development of a goldfield like Ballarat’s, although this did not work out.
Agnes Kerrigan, Bill Steele’s grandmother, stands outside the Cresstown Post Office, now a private residence. (Supplied)
Christmas families
Agnes Kerrigan, Bill Steele’s grandmother, and her son Leo lived in Christmastown.
Local residents continue to decorate the street sign and historical marker to commemorate the mining settlement. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Jay Pattison)
When he was a child spending school vacations there, Steele said it was more about farming than mining.
“It was 1957 and 1958, and Mum and Dad let me get on the train at Spencer Street and get off at Chiltern to go to Christmastown,” he said.
“It was another world. There was no electricity and no television. My grandmother would listen to the radio every day, listening to her favorite radio series.”
Mr Steele said this was a time he would always cherish.
“It was a great place and nice people.”
In the early 2000s, Mr. Steele and his family moved to the Northeast, where he researched local history.
“During the gold rush, Christmastown boasted banks, several hotels, a theater, various stores, a blacksmith and a butcher,” he said.
But the city waxed and waned as drifting residents followed their fortunes elsewhere.
Gold was discovered in Christmastown in December 1859. (Supplier: Bell Steel)
Mr Steele described it as once a busy place, and remained that way until the 1920s, when the Mackay Hotel disappeared.
“You lose a pub and you lose residents,” he said.
Today only one building remains, the old post office, which is now a private residence.
Mayor of one
Christmastown’s unofficial mayor, Robin Piggott, calls the only remaining building a home.
Robin Piggott is proud to call Christmastown home. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Jay Pattison)
“This is my place and I would love to now be part of the city’s history,” he said.
Mr. Piggott continues to decorate the street sign and historical marker with tinsel and lights.
“It’s just a little bit of fun and helps put Christmastown on the map after all these years,” he said.
Generations of families have called it home
Grant Gilman, 98, was born and raised in the area, along with other generations of his family including his grandmother, who was born on December 25 and given the name Ethel Christmas.
“The relatives would refer to it as Christmas. We all knew who we were talking about,” Gilman said.
Mr. Gilman’s daughter, Carol, is also interested in the city’s history.
“We were known all over the world,” Ms. Gilman said.
“We will ask people to send a stamped envelope to the Christmastown Post Office to have it rubber stamped and returned.”
Christmas holds a special place in the hearts of Grant Gilman and his daughter, Carol. (ABC Goulburn Murray: Greg Ryan)
For the Gilman family, Kerrigan, Stills and others with a connection to Christmas, it’s more than just a dot on a map.
“We all hold it dear in our hearts. It has a place in our gold mining history, and it is important in terms of the resilience of the people of this country,” Ms Gilman said.
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