Santa Col is celebrating 36 years in a red suit, listening to children’s dreams and spreading messages of kindness and hope.
Santa Col, 78, has long white hair and a white beard – handy attributes for a Mr Claus.
“It goes back about 36 years ago, my daughter rang me up in a panic because my grandson who was two at the time, was having a Christmas party for pre-school and they couldn’t find a Santa,” he said.
“So, it started from there and I’ve been playing Santa ever since. That 2-year-old boy is now 36-years-old.”
In 2007, Santa Col retired from his job in Thailand and moved back to Australia, where he started his role at the Logan Hyperdome.
This will be his 15th year at the centre.
“I don’t believe there is enough fantasy in kids’ lives these days. Growing up we had the sandman and cupid and things like that, and now everything is about the material objects and commercial side of things. It’s good to keep a bit of fantasy alive,” he said.
“I look forward to it every year, I just love the kids and the parents too; I have made some wonderful friends over the years.
“I have got a bit of a following now and people often ring me to ask if I’ll be at the Hyperdome this year again, and I book out pretty quick.”
Just like you would expect from the real Santa, Col’s Christmas starts in June.
“We do a lot of the Christmas photography early in the year and a lot of promotional stuff,” he said.
“I also do a lot of charity work for things like the neighbourhood watch and schools around Logan.”
Santa Col says he has three Santa suits that he uses throughout the festive season.
“One of which is my own and I guard it with my life,” he said.
“The others are for promotional gigs, and one is a cheaper suit for the pet shoots, so it doesn’t matter if it gets a little dirty.”
What does Santa Col’s family think about his Santa gig?
“My family think it’s great, but my wife is a bit sick of it,” he said.
“For the love of God, don’t call her Mrs Claus. She will eat you without salt.”
Hyperdome centre manager Brian Turner said families from far and wide come to visit Santa Col every year.
“Santa’s Enchanted Garden will be open every day in the lead up to Christmas hosting Santa photography, Sensory Santa, pet photography, and the new Santa photography experience Baby’s First Christmas,” he said.
Santa Col’s Christmas message to the families of Logan is “stay safe and be happy.”
