He arrived at Buchanan Park with representatives of the Mount Isa RSL sub-branch to celebrate the beginning of the Christmas season with Mount Isa children on Sunday evening. 

The Carols committee chair, city councillor Jean Ferris, said the fireworks were great and volunteers and supportive businesses made it a well run event. 

“It goes to show the community spirit of the people in Mount Isa,” Cr Ferris said. 

Numbers were down compared to last year, likely due to the heat. 

“The elves gave away all the lollies and balloons, the kids were all happy and there were lots of families there, and there was still a really good crowd,” she said. 

“I sat there like a security guard at the back gate...and the kids came up to talk to me and it was really nice. 

“They were saying “I got a candy cane,’ ‘I got a balloon,’ and I said ‘you’re lucky.”

Carols by Candlelight marked the beginning of the Christmas celebrations.